AUTISM RESEARCH CORE (ARC)

The AUTISM RESEARCH CORE (ARC) at the Lurie Center for Autism in Lexington and Charlestown provides a suite of services including neuropsychological assessment and testing, clinical research study implementation, phlebotomy and sample processing, and consulting services. Our team of psychologists, clinical research coordinators, and staff have expertise in conducting research studies with this population and are dedicated to productively engaging patients and families in research.

Contact Information

Contact: Colleen Buckless

Email: cbuckless@mgh.harvard.edu

Location and Hours of Operation

Confocal Microscope and Cryostat

CNY Building 114 

Charlestown, MA

Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm (equipment manager available)

All Other Services

Lurie Center for Autism

1 Maguire Road

Lexington, MA

Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm

Getting Started

To request services through ARC, please contact Colleen Buckless cbuckless@mgh.harvard.edu

To request use of equipment, please contact Haley Moya hmoya@mgh.harvard.edu

Equipment

BC43 Spinning Disc Confocal (3.125 II)

The Andor BC43 Spinning Disc Confocal: EPI-fluorescence widefield, bright field imaging, confocal microscopy; 405nm, 488nm, 561nm, 635nm laser lines; 2x, 20x, 40x, 60x oil, 100x oil.

Access to this microscope is available only after training is complete. Appointments are available 24hrs/day, 7days/wk.

Precisionary Cryostat (3.125 II)

Precisionary Cryostat CF-6100: customizable section thickness, temperature control, rapid peltier cooling stations, approved for rodent or human tissue.

Access to this cryostat is available only after training is complete. Appointments are available 24hrs/day, 7days/wk.

Types of Services

Research Operations and Participant Engagement: study start up, recruitment, participant screening, research coordination, data entry, regulatory support, and staff training

Study Design: protocol development, assessment and outcome measure selection, participant characterization, feasibility assessment, budgeting, and statistical consultation

Biospecimen & Laboratory Services: Sample collection, processing, preparation, labeling, aliquoting, shipping, and storage
 

Neuropsychological Assessments

  • Adaptive, Behavioral, and Emotional Functioning - Daily living skills, social functioning, emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, behavior concerns
  • Attention and Executive Functioning - Attention, inhibition, working memory, planning, organization, cognitive flexibility
  • Autism and Social Communication Assessment - Autism symptoms, social communication, restricted and repetitive behaviors, adaptive functioning
  • Developmental Functioning - Developmental level and milestones
  • Intellectual/Cognitive Functioning - General intellectual ability and reasoning
  • Language Functioning - Receptive language, expressive language, verbal fluency, naming, comprehension
  • Motor Functioning - Fine motor skills, gross motor skills, coordination, dexterity, motor speed