The MEND Research Clinic

The MEND Research Clinic A diverse group of researchers interested in developing treatment options for neurodevelopmental disorders and psychiatric conditions.

The MEND Research Clinic is located at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability, as well as the most prevalent genetic cause of autism spectrum disorders. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors. Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys. The MEND Research Clinic is dedicated to helping individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders and their families. We are approaching this goal using a variety of critical research techniques designed to understand causes and to develop effective treatments for many developmental and psychiatric disorders. The MEND Research Clinic is currently working to translate laboratory research findings into novel treatments for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, and major depressive disorder. The MEND Research Clinic is fortunate to be housed within the immense infrastructure of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which provides us with state-of-the-art clinic space and a wealth of expert investigators.

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) is an incredibly valuable resource for families and professionals alike, offering be...
01/23/2026

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) is an incredibly valuable resource for families and professionals alike, offering best practices to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities. Feel free to explore the abundance of resources offered at https://vkc.vumc.org/vkc/. Here are some upcoming events at the VKC for families and researchers that we would love to highlight!

Monday, January 26, 2026, 12:00 - 1:00pm CST: TRIAD Families First Webinar - Toilet Training [Virtual]

Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 12:00 - 1:00pm CST: Research Ethics Grand Rounds Webinar: The Ethical Implications of AI Usage in Disability Research

Thursday, February 26, 2026, 12:00 - 1:00pm CST: Kennedy Center Lectures on Development and Developmental Disabilities: Menstrual Cycle Hormone Sensitivity in Neurodevelopmental and Mood Disorders: Implications for ADHD, Autism, and Adolescent Su***de Risk

Contributions from individuals and organizations help fuel the VKCā€™s mission by allowing it to expand its research, training, clinical services, and more. Learn more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id2DoiiuwlA
01/14/2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id2DoiiuwlA

An autism diagnosis for his son motivated Nico Acampora in Italy to open a restaurant staffed only by those on the autism spectrum. Everything in PizzAut is ...

Participate now for a free picture of your brain!
01/05/2026

Participate now for a free picture of your brain!

Are you interested in how the brain perceives faces? Help us find out! Reach out to our new coordinator via email at row...
09/25/2025

Are you interested in how the brain perceives faces? Help us find out!

Reach out to our new coordinator via email at rowan.atwood@vumc.org for more information, or to get started with participation!

We are still recruiting participants for our TMS study in 2025! Please reach out with any questions to the contact below...
01/07/2025

We are still recruiting participants for our TMS study in 2025! Please reach out with any questions to the contact below. Happy to chat with anyone who is interested! :)

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is actively recruiting participants for our TMS research study. Please reach out wi...
11/01/2024

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is actively recruiting participants for our TMS research study. Please reach out with any questions to the contact below.šŸ™‚

08/26/2024

Recruiting participants for TMS Study at Vanderbilt University Medical Center!

Study Title: Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation for Catatonia in Autism

We are looking for individuals, ages 15-40 years old diagnosed with ASD with or without catatonia. The study consists of 4 visits.

Please reach out to Seri Lim (research coordinator) at for more information.

08/26/2024
04/30/2024

Recruiting participants for TMS Study at Vanderbilt University Medical Center! šŸ™‹

Study Title: Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation for Catatonia in Autism

We are looking for individuals, ages 15-40 years old diagnosed with ASD with or without catatonia. The study consists of 4 visits.

Please reach out to Seri Lim (Research Coordinator) at for more information.

Read about the different gene expressions of autistic individuals.
01/20/2023

Read about the different gene expressions of autistic individuals.

Postmortem brain samples from people with one of six conditions, including autism, show distinct signatures of over- and underexpression of immune genes.

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Nashville, TN

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+16159363288

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