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 behavi

ors. 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 MEND Clinic is recruiting for a Pediatric and Adolescent Insomnia Research at Vanderbilt!! Below is a flyer with mor...
05/22/2026

The MEND Clinic is recruiting for a Pediatric and Adolescent Insomnia Research at Vanderbilt!! Below is a flyer with more information about the study. Feel free to email [email protected] if interested!

The MEND Clinic is recruiting for the BALANCE-AAD-1 Study! If you or a loved one is experiencing agitation associated wi...
04/24/2026

The MEND Clinic is recruiting for the BALANCE-AAD-1 Study! If you or a loved one is experiencing agitation associated with Alzheimer’s Disease, this study may be a great fit for you!
Feel free to email [email protected] or call/text (615) 854-8021 if you would like more information.

Medical causes of aggression in Autism!
02/26/2026

Medical causes of aggression in Autism!

😠Aggression in autism isn't just behavioral—it can have underlying medical causes! 🚨 Many individuals with autism experience pain or discomfort they may struggle to express, leading to meltdowns or aggression.

Some possible medical triggers include:
🔹 GI issues (constipation, reflux, gut pain)💩
🔹 Seizures ⚡
🔹 PANDAS/PANS (immune system dysfunction)🧠
🔹 Allergies & food intolerances 🍞🥜
🔹 Pain & headaches 🤕

Instead of seeing aggression as a "behavior problem," we must presume competence and look for root causes! 🩺 Every person with autism deserves to have their pain recognized and treated.

Read more here 👉 https://tacanow.org/family-resources/medical-causes-of-aggression-in-autism/

Upcoming Community Event! On Saturday, March 7th, you can join us at the Autism Tennessee's Game Day! There will be a va...
02/20/2026

Upcoming Community Event! On Saturday, March 7th, you can join us at the Autism Tennessee's Game Day! There will be a variety of games like Connect4 and Scrabble to play in a relaxed environment. It is a welcoming space for children, teens, and adults on the autism spectrum. There will be pizza, drinks, and other snacks provided. You can find more information and register for the event at

Tennessee's leading autism organization providing support programs, helpline, social groups & employment services for autistic individuals & families.

SCUBA Research Study— recruiting now!!
02/13/2026

SCUBA Research Study— recruiting now!!

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 VKC’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 [email protected] for more information, or to get started with participation!

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Nashville, TN

Telephone

+16159363288

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