New Hope for Families Facing Sudden Behavioral Changes in ASD

The Aurora Research Network (BRAIN + Stanford Medicine)

A First National Effort to Improve Care for Autism and Related Conditions

Our Solution: The Aurora Research Network

The Aurora Research Network (ARN) is a new national initiative created by The BRAIN Foundation in collaboration with Stanford Medicine.

The initiative’s foundation, strategic direction and funding are spearheaded by:

• Pramila Srinivasan, Ph.D., Founder, The BRAIN Foundation
• Jennifer Frankovich, M.D., Pediatric Rheumatologist and Director of the Stanford Immune Behavioral Health Clinic at Stanford Medicine
• Denise Calaprice, Ph.D., Director of the Studying Youth Neuro-Immune Connections Program at Stanford Medicine, with extensive industry experience in clinical research and drug development

The goal is simple but powerful:

Create the first evidence-based standard of care for severe behavioral changes in autism and related conditions.

Why This Matters

• Families receive faster, more accurate care.
• Physicians have clear clinical guidance.
• Treatment decisions are based on real-world evidence rather than guesswork.
• Research progresses more rapidly toward effective therapies.
• Improved evidence and standardised protocols can support insurance coverage.

What the Network Will Do

1. Learning from Patients Over Time

Understand how symptoms begin, evolve and improve by collecting and publishing real-world clinical data.

2. Identifying Different Patient Groups

Not all patients experience these conditions in the same way. Aurora aims to identify distinct patient subgroups so the right treatments can be matched to the right individuals.

 3. Measuring What Works

Develop better methods for measuring symptoms, treatment response and patient outcomes.

4. Studying Existing Treatments

Evaluate treatments already being used in clinical practice, identify what is working, and publish findings to improve care.

5. Searching for Biomarkers

Identify biological markers that can improve diagnosis, treatment selection and disease monitoring.

How We Will Do It

1. Funding and Publishing Scientific Research (In Progress)

The BRAIN Foundation has funded research that is currently underway, with results being published to expand scientific knowledge.

• Assessing the impact of ASD-derived plasma on blood-brain barrier integrity relative to neurotypical controls and PANS.
• Evaluating clinical measures and biomarkers in behavioral regression associated with ASD.
• Publishing analyses of electronic health records to evaluate treatment effectiveness using real-world data.

2. Bringing Experts Together Through a Delphi Consensus Process

In August 2026, Aurora will convene experts from leading medical institutions around the world, including:

• Autism specialists
• Psychiatrists
• Neurologists
• Immunologists
• Gastroenterologists
• Pediatricians
• Other relevant specialists

Together they will develop consensus-based diagnostic and treatment guidelines through a structured Delphi process.

3. Building a Multi-Centre Clinical Trial Network

Aurora will also:

• Launch multi-centre clinical trials.
• Create a shared research database.
• Develop a platform that can support future studies, including seizures, catatonia and related conditions.

4. Publishing Results and Expanding the Platform

The network will continue to:

• Publish findings based on real-world clinical data.
• Expand the Delphi platform and clinical trial network to benefit additional neurodevelopmental research.
• Support research into seizures, catatonia and other serious symptoms affecting individuals with ASD.

Our Long-Term Vision

We envision a future where:

✔ Every patient receives coordinated, evidence-based care.
✔ Doctors follow proven clinical guidelines.
✔ Families no longer struggle to find answers.
✔ Treatments become more effective and are supported by insurance coverage.

Join the Effort

Aurora is inviting participation from:

• Physicians from medical centres
• Clinical research sites

Twenty-one sites have already joined the network.

Contact: Denise Calaprice, Ph.D. dcala@stanford.edu

A Message to Families

“We know how hard this journey can be. This initiative is about healthcare equity, clarity, direction and hope.“

• Led by The BRAIN Foundation and Stanford Medicine
• Supported by an initial investment of $2 million

If you are interested in supporting this initiative, please contact info@brainfoundation.org or donate using the link below. Your support will help advance research and improve care for individuals and families affected by autism and related conditions.