December 2025

The Lurie Center for Autism is pleased to welcome Dr. James Powers, the newest member of our psychiatry faculty. In this interview, Dr. Powers shares what drew him to psychiatry, his vision for the future, and why the Lurie Center feels like home. Read the interview here.

From Boston to Boulder, Lurie Center researchers, staff, and clinicians are sharing their expertise, collaborating with peers, and connecting with families. Whether presenting new findings, mentoring trainees, or engaging the community in research, our team is committed to collaboration, discovery, and empowering families through education and research. See what we’ve been up to here. 

This Giving Tuesday (December 2, 2025), your gift to the Lurie Center for Autism can make a big difference. More than 40% of our clinical services are made possible by philanthropy — meaning the care we provide every day to patients and families would not exist without generous supporters like you. Gifts to the Lurie Center for Autism fuel our broad efforts to advance the field through education and training, advocacy and research.



“We will never stop rising to the challenges facing our community. Thank you for standing with us — your support uplifts us all. Wishing you peace and joy this holiday season and hope for a bright new year ahead.”

-- Christopher J. McDougle, MD, Director of the Lurie Center for Autism

Gifts of all sizes have impact at the Lurie Center for Autism. Make a gift today to support science-backed care and services for our community.

The Lurie Center for Autism invites you to join Ann Neumeyer, MD and Chris Keary, MD for a presentation on the clinical use of leucovorin and mirtazapine. Leucovorin (folinic acid) has been suggested as a treatment for autism. The session will highlight what we have learned from clinical research studies in children with autism and its use in treating children with cerebral folate deficiency. The presenters will also review results from the Lurie Center for Autism's clinical trial of the anti-anxiety medication mirtazapine, including its implications for patients with autism and anxiety. Registration is required.

Oral health is a cornerstone of overall well-being. Yet for many individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), maintaining good oral hygiene and attending dental visits can be particularly challenging. In this article, the Lurie Center’s Jill Pineda, PhD, and Massachusetts General Hospital dentist Jennifer Magee, DMD, MPH, share insights on the importance of dental health and offer strategies to help make dental visits smoother and less stressful. Read the full article here.

Some parents report that their children with autism spectrum disorder show temporary improvement in autism-related behaviors during a fever, yet this observation remains a mystery. The Lurie Center for Autism is recruiting participants 3-22 years old with ASD for a research study exploring the “fever effect.” in autism. We hope to better understand the biological mechanisms behind this observation in order to develop new therapeutic approaches. Click here to learn more!

For additional information, please contact the Lurie Center research staff at 781-860-1711 or LurieCenterResearch@mgb.org.

View currently enrolling Lurie Center research studies.