Matthew Mosconi
- Director, Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training
- Interim Associate Director and Senior Scientist, Life Span Institute
- Professor, Clinical Child Psychology Program
Contact Info
1000 Sunnyside Ave.
Lawrence, KS 66045-7599
Personal Links
Biography —
Dr. Mosconi completed his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and an APA-approved Clinical Internship at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. He then performed his postdoctoral training in developmental cognitive neuroscience and pediatric neuropsychology at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Dr. Mosconi joined the faculty in Psychiatry at the University of Illinois in Chicago from 2009-2011, moved onto the faculty at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center from 2011-2015, and joined the faculty at the University of Kansas in August 2015. He currently is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Applied Behavioral Science, and Associate Scientist in the Life Span Institute. Dr. Mosconi’s research is focused on sensorimotor dysmaturation and underlying brain mechanisms in neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, Phelan-McDermid Syndrome, and FMR1 related disorders. His work has been supported by NIH (NIMH, NINDS, NICHD), the Department of Defense, Autism Speaks, the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation, and the Once Upon A Time Foundation. He has published in multiple high-impact journals including JAMA Psychiatry, the Journal of Neuroscience, Journal of Neurophysiology, Molecular Autism, NeuroImage, and Biological Psychiatry. Dr. Mosconi serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders and Current Developmental Disorders Reports. He was the recipient of the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) 2014 Young Investigator Award.
Research —
Dr. Mosconi's research examines sensorimotor, cognitive and brain development in autism spectrum and related intellectual/developmental disorders. He also currently is conducting studies on neurodegenerative disorders characterized by deterioration of sensorimotor skills, such as Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). The aim of this research program is to determine the brain mechanisms that contribute to sensorimotor and cognitive impairments in developmental disorders. This knowledge then may be used for multiple purposes: 1) To identify new behavioral and brain targets for the development of more precise and effective therapeutic approaches; 2) To generate translational biobehavioral markers that can measured in clinical trials validating new treatment approaches, and; 3) To create biobehavioral measures that may assist in more reliable identification approaches. Dr. Mosconi's studies integrate quantitative behavioral measurements, neuropsychological assessment, and systems neuroscience techniques including functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), electromyography (EMG), electroencephalography (EEG), kinematic and kinetic analysis and oculomotor recording.
Research Interests
- Autism, sensorimotor, cerebellum, functional MRI, EEG, child psychology, Fragile X, Fragile X Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS), repetitive behaviors, insistence on sameness, clinical psychology
Selected Publications —
Neely, K. A., Mohanty, S., Schmitt, L. M., Wang, Z., Sweeney, J. A., & Mosconi, M. W. (2019). Motor memory deficits contribute to motor impairments in autism spectrum disorder [Journal Articles]. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Published. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-2806-5
Schmitt, L. M., Ankeny, L. D., Sweeney, J. A., & Mosconi, M. W. (2016). Inhibitory control processes and the strategies that support them during hand and eye movements [Journal Articles]. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 1927. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01927
Wang, Z., Hallac, R. R., Conroy, K. C., White, S. P., Kane, A. A., Collinsworth, A. L., Sweeney, J. A., & Mosconi, M. W. (2016). Postural orientation and equilibrium processes associated with increased postural sway in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) [Journal Articles]. Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 8(43). https://doi.org/10.1186/s11689-016-9178-1
D’Cruz, A. M., Mosconi, M. W., Ragozzino, M. E., Cook, E. H., & Sweeney, J. A. (2016). Alterations in the functional neural circuitry supporting flexible choice behavior in autism spectrum disorder. [Journal Articles]. Translational Psychiatry, 6(10), e916. https://doi.org/10.1038/tp.2016.161
Ethridge, L. E., White, S. P., Mosconi, M. W., Wang, J., Byerly, M. J., & Sweeney, J. A. (2016). Reduced habituation of auditory evoked potentials indicated cortical hyperexcitability in Fragile X Syndrome [Journal Articles]. Translational Psychiatry, 6, e787. https://doi.org/10.1038/tp.2016.48
Ouyang, M., Cheng, H., Mishra, V., Gong, G., Mosconi, M. W., Sweeney, J. A., Peng, Y., & Huang, H. (2016). Atypical age-dependent effects of autism on white matter microstructure in children 2-7 years [Journal Articles]. Human Brain Mapping, 37(2), 819–832. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.23073
Mosconi, M. W., Wang, Z., Tsai, P. T., & Sweeney, J. A. (2015). The role of cerebellar circuitry alterations in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders [Journal Articles]. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 9(296). https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2015.00296
Bishop, J. R., Najjar, F., Rubin, L. H., Guter, S. J., Owley, T., Mosconi, M. W., Jacob, S., & Cook, E. H. (2015). Escitalopram pharmacogenetics: CYP2C19 relationships with dosing and clinical outcomes in Autism Spectrum Disorder [Journal Articles]. Pharmacogenetics and Genomics. Published.
Najjar , F., Owley , T., Mosconi, M. W., Jacob , S., Hur , K., Guter , S., Sweeney , J., Gibbons, R., Cook , E., Jr, & Bishop, J. R. (2015). Pharmacogenetic study of serotonin transporter and 5HT2A genotypes in autism [Journal Articles]. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 467–474. https://doi.org/10.1089/cap.2014.0158
Wang, Z., Magnon, G. C., White, S. P., Greene, R. K., Vaillancourt, D. E., & Mosconi, M. W. (2015). Individuals with autism spectrum disorder show abnormalities during initial and subsequent phases of precision gripping [Journal Articles]. Journal of Neurophysiology, 113(7), 1989–2001. https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00661.2014
Miller, H. L., Ragozzino, M. E., Cook, E. H., Sweeney, J. A., & Mosconi, M. W. (2015). Cognitive set shifting deficits and their relationship to repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorder [Journal Articles]. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(3), 805–815. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2244-1
Mosconi, M. W., Mohanty, S., Greene, R., Cook, E. H., Vaillancourt, D. E., & Sweeney, J. A. (2015). Feedforward and feedback motor control abnormalities implicate cerebellar dysfunctions in autism spectrum disorder [Journal Articles]. Journal of Neuroscience, 35(5), 2015–2025. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2731-14.2015
Schmitt, L. M., Cook, E. H., Sweeney, J. A., & Mosconi, M. W. (2014). Saccadic eye movement abnormalities in autism spectrum disorder indicate dysfunctions in both cerebellum and brainstem [Journal Articles]. Molecular Autism, 5(1), 47. https://doi.org/10.1186/2040-2392-5-47
Mosconi, M. W., Luna, B., Kay-Stacey, M., Nowinski, C. V., Rubin, L. H., Scudder, C., Minshew, N., & Sweeney, J. A. (2013). Saccade adaptation abnormalities implicate dysfunction of cerebellar-dependent learning mechanisms in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) [Journal Articles]. PLOS One, 8(5). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0063709
DΓÇÖCruz, A. M., Ragozzino, M. E., Mosconi, M. W., Cook, E. H., & Sweeney, J. A. (2013). Reduced behavioral flexibility in autism spectrum disorders is related to insistence on sameness [Journal Articles]. Neuropsychology, 27(2), 152–160. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031721
Mosconi, M. W., & Sweeney, J. A. (2012). Cerebellar dysfunctions underlying core cognitive and sensorimotor deficits in autism spectrum disorder [Journal Articles]. Cerebellum, 11(3), 777–807. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12311-012-0355-9
DΓÇÖCruz, A. M., Mosconi, M. W., Ragozzino, M. E., Pavuluri, M., & Sweeney, J. A. (2011). Human reversal learning under conditions of certain versus uncertain outcomes [Journal Articles]. NeuroImage, 56, 315–322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.01.068
Mosconi, M. W., Takarae, Y., & Sweeney, J. A. (2011). Motor impairments and dyspraxia in autism [Book Chapters]. In D. G. Amaral, G. Dawson, & D. H. Geschwind (Eds.), . Autism Spectrum Disorders. Oxford University Press, Inc.
Mosconi, M. W., Kay, M., DΓÇÖCruz, A. M., Guter, S., Kapur, K., Macmillan, C., Stanford, L. D., & Sweeney, J. A. (2010). Neurobehavioral abnormalities in first-degree relatives of individuals with autism [Journal Articles]. JAMA Psychiatry, 67, 830–840. https://doi.org/10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.87
DΓÇÖCruz, A. M., Mosconi, M. W., Steele, S., Rubin, L., Khine, T., & Sweeney, J. A. (2009). Lateralized response timing deficits in autism [Journal Articles]. Biological Psychiatry, 66, 393–397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2009.01.008
Mosconi, M. W., Hazlett, H. C., Poe, M., Gerig, G., Gimpel, R. S., & Piven, J. (2009). A longitudinal study of amygdala volume and joint attention in 2-4 year old children with autism [Journal Articles]. JAMA Psychiatry, 66, 509–516. https://doi.org/10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2009.19
Selected Presentations —
Wang , Z., Khemani , P., & Mosconi , M. W. (11/30/2017). Postural control deficits in aging Fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene premutation carriers. Society for Neuroscience (SfN). Washington DC
Bojanek, E., Schmitt , L. M., White , S. P., Sweeney , J. A., & Mosconi , M. W. (5/31/2017). Behavioral response inhibition deficits in children with autism spectrum disorder and their parents. International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). San Francisco, CA
DeStefano, L., Wang, J., White, S. P., Mosconi, M. W., Sweeney, J. A., & Ethridge, L. E. (11/30/2016). Auditory neural oscillatory synchronization abnormalities across the gamma frequency range in autism spectrum disorder. Society for Psychophysiological Research. Minneapolis, MN
Ethridge, L. E., White, S. P., Mosconi, M. W., Wang, J., Erickson, C. A., Byerly, M. J., ...Sweeney, J. A. (11/30/2016). Neural synchronization deficits linked to cortical hyper-excitability and auditory sensitivity in Fragile X Syndrome. Society for Psychophysiological Research. Minneapolis, MN
Mosconi, M. W. (11/30/2016). Understanding autism: stories of politics, fads and the brain. University of Kansas Nu Rho Psi Honor Society. Lawrence, Kansas
Mosconi, M. W. (10/31/2016). Motor and sensory disturbances and their brain bases in autism spectrum disorder. University of Kansas Child Language Program Professional Seminar Series. Lawrence, Kansas
Mosconi, M. W., Schmitt, L. M., White, S. P., & Sweeney, J. A. (9/30/2016). Brain system abnormalities associated with reduced control of sustained and repetitive motor behaviors. National Conference in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (NCCCAP). Lawrence, KS
Wang, Z., Hallac, R., Conroy, K. C., White, S. P., Kane, A. A., Collinsworth, A. L., ...Mosconi, M. W. (9/30/2016). Postural orientation and equilibrium are manifested in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). National Conference in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (NCCCAP). Lawrence, KS
Schmitt, L. M., White, S. P., Sweeney, J. A., & Mosconi, M. W. (9/30/2016). Sensorimotor Abnormalities in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Biological Parents. National Conference in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. Lawrence, KS
Mosconi, M. W. (7/31/2016). What we think we think about thinking in Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. First Annual Phelan-McDermid Syndrome National Meeting (McPosium). Orlando, FL
Mosconi, M. W., Schmitt, L. M., White, S. P., & Sweeney, J. A. (5/31/2016). Brain system abnormalities associated with reduced control of sustained and repetitive motor behaviors in autism. International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Baltimore, MD
Kwon, M., Mohanty, S., Conroy, K. C., & Mosconi, M. W. (5/31/2016). Increased Force Variability in Autism Reflects Reduced Modulation of Motor Neuron Pool Beta Oscillations. International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Baltimore, MD
Wang, Z., Hallac, R., Conroy, K. C., White, S. P., Kane, A. A., Collinsworth, A. L., ...Mosconi, M. W. (5/31/2016). Postural control mechanisms underlying reduced stability in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Baltimore, MD
Schmitt, L. M., White, S. P., Conroy, K., Sweeney, J. A., & Mosconi, M. W. (5/31/2016). Sensorimotor abnormalities in biological mothers and fathers of individuals with ASD. International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Baltimore, MD
Mosconi, M. W. (4/30/2016). Characterizing the development of fundamental sensorimotor abilities and underlying brain systems in autism spectrum disorder. Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds - Vanderbilt University. Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds - Vanderbilt University
Mosconi, M. W., Schmitt, L. M., White, S. P., Conroy, K., & Sweeney, J. A. (12/31/2015). Familiality of sensorimotor alterations in autism spectrum disorder. American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP). Hollywood, FL
Mosconi, M. W. (11/30/2015). Moving towards more effective treatments for autism spectrum disorders. Annual Retreat for the University of Kansas Medical Center Department of Pediatrics. Kansas City, KS
Mosconi, M. W. (10/31/2015). Understanding the neurobiology of autism spectrum disorders through clinical research. Beyond the Diagnosis: Autism Across the Life Span. Kansas City, KS
Mosconi, M. W. (6/30/2015). Clinical and translational approaches for understanding Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. Texas-Louisiana Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Conference. Houston, TX
Mosconi, M. W., Vaillancourt, D. E., & Sweeney, J. A. (5/31/2015). Cerebellar alterations underlying visuomotor deficits in autism. Presentation, International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Salt Lake City, UT
Schmitt, L. M., White, S. P., Conroy, K., Sweeney, J. A., & Mosconi, M. W. (5/31/2015). Eye movement abnormalities in individuals with autism and their unaffected biological parents. Presentation, International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Salt Lake City, UT
Mohanty, S., Neely, K. A., Schmitt, L. M., Wang, Z., Vaillancourt, D. E., Sweeney, J. A., ...Mosconi, M. W. (5/31/2015). Precision grip control with and without visual feedback in autism spectrum disorder. Presentation, International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Salt Lake City, UT
Wang, Z., Hallac, R., Conroy, K. A., Greene, R. K., White, S. P., Sweeney, J. A., ...Mosconi, M. W. (5/31/2015). Sensory feedback mechanisms underlying postural control abnormalities in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Presentation, International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Salt Lake City, UT
Ethridge, L. E., White, S. P., Mosconi, M. W., Wang, J., Byerly, M. J., & Sweeney, J. A. (5/31/2015). Sensory processing abnormalities, ASD features, and modulation of auditory evoked potentials in Fragile X Syndrome. Presentation, International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Salt Lake City, UT
Mosconi, M. W. (3/31/2015). Advancing care through research: How studies of brain and motor development in autism may lead to earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments. Inaugural Keynote Lecture, Friends of the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities. Dallas, TX
Mosconi, M. W. (1/31/2015). Translational approaches for identifying neural mechanisms in autism related disorders. Talk, University of Texas Southwestern Clinical Research Engagement Workgroup (CREW) Lunch Series. Dallas, TX
Mosconi, M. W., Vaillancourt, D. E., & Sweeney, J. A. (12/31/2014). Cortico-cerebellar dysfunctions associated with visuomotor abnormalities in autism spectrum disorder vary according to the quality of visual feedback. Presentation, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP). Phoenix, AZ
Mosconi, M. W., Vaillancourt, D. E., Coombes, S. A., & Sweeney, J. A. (11/30/2014). Cortical-cerebellar abnormalities underlying visuomotor control deficits in autism spectrum disorder. Presentation, Society of Neuroscience (SfN). Washington, DC
Wang, Z., Magnon, G. C., Greene, R. K., Sweeney, J. A., & Mosconi, M. W. (11/30/2014). Predictive and reactive precision grip force control in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Presentation, Society of Neuroscience (SfN). Washington, DC
Mosconi, M. W. (10/31/2014). Neuroscience and early detection of autism spectrum disorder. Talk, Psychiatry Continuing Education Program: Brain Stories, the Science Behind Prevention, Early Detection, and Effective Intervention for Mental Illness, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern. Dallas, TX
Mosconi, M. W. (9/30/2014). Cerebellar and sensorimotor development in autism. Talk, University of Minnesota Center for Cognitive Science (CCS) Colloquium Series. Minneapolis, MN
Mosconi, M. W. (9/30/2014). Profiles of sensorimotor impairments in autism spectrum disorder. Talk, University of Minnesota Center for Neurobehavioral Development (CNBD) Colloquium Series. Minneapolis, MN
Mosconi, M. W. (7/31/2014). Sensorimotor and cerebellar abnormalities in Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. Talk, The 14th Annual Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation Conference. Orlando, FL
Ouyang, M., Cheng, H., Gong, G., Mosconi, M. W., Sweeney, J. A., Peng, Y., ...Huang, H. (5/31/2014). Abnormal WM microstructural trajectories of autistic children from 2 to 7 years of age. Presentation, The International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM). Milan, Italy
Schmitt, L. M., Mosconi, M. W., Ragozzino, M. E., Cook, E. H., & Sweeney, J. A. (5/31/2014). Neurocognitive strategies supporting behavioral response inhibition in autism spectrum disorder. Presentation, International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). Atlanta, GA
Mosconi, M. W. (1/31/2014). Examining the effects of premutations and full mutations of the FMR1 gene on behavior and brain function. Talk, The Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities (CADD) Annual Fragile X Day, UT Southwestern and ChildrenΓÇÖs Medical Center. Dallas, TX
Grants & Other Funded Activity —
Mechanisms of Neocortical and Sensory Hyperexcitability in Fragile X Syndrome. U54 Centers for Collaborative Research in Fragile X (NICHD). (9/1/2014 - 8/31/2019). Federal. Status: Funded. This study is a 5 year, multilevel, integrated approach to determine the pathophysiology of sensory neocortical dysfunction and directly link this to sensory processing deficits in FXS mouse models and patients. Candidate therapeutics to correct sensory processing deficits will be tested in mice and patients.
Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network: Developmental Synaptopathies Consortium. NIH/NINDS. (1/1/2014 - 8/31/2019). Federal. Status: Funded. U54 NS092090 The aim of this five year project is to clinically characterize three rare genetic syndromes associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including Phelan-McDermid Syndrome, PTEN mutation and Tuberous Sclerosis. The studyΓÇÖs long-term goal is to identify biomarkers that can be used to develop and validate new therapies for these rare disorders and possibly ASD more broadly.
Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training Research Investment Council Strategic Initiative Grant. $750000.00. (8/18/2015 - 8/17/2018). This three year award was provided to the PI to support salary and research costs associated with starting the Neurodevelopmental Disorders Research Lab at the University of Kansas. Allowable costs include PI salary, research related expenses (e.g., equipment, MRI costs), travel, and postdoctoral and student assistant salaries.. State of Kansas. Status: Funded
Auditory and visual evoked potentials in Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation. (1/1/2016 - 12/31/2017). The goal of this award is to characterize sensory evoked neurophysiological alterations in individuals with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMS).. Other. Status: Funded
Establishing Multi-omic Signatures and Mechanisms Associated with GI Morbidity and Behavior in ASD. Autism Speaks. (12/1/2014 - 11/30/2017). Private. Status: Funded. This multi-center collaborative effort aims to identify stool-based biomarkers of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in children with ASD. Studies are designed to characterize behavioral, GI and multi-omic (microbiome and metabalome) signatures in ASD and generate distinct phenotypic subtypes based on GI-behavior linkages.
Natural History Characterization of Individuals with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation. (8/1/2015 - 7/31/2017). Foundation. Status: Funded
Neurophysiological biomarkers associated with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. Novartis. (7/1/2015 - 6/30/2017). For Profit (company/corporation). Status: Funded. This PI-initiated award aims to identify clinical biomarkers associated with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMS)- a rare genetic condition caused by loss-of-function deletions/mutations of the SHANK3 gene on chromosome 22q13. Novel and translational EEG and motor physiology studies are planned to identify neurophysiological mechanisms associated with PMS that can be used as endpoints in future clinical trials.
Motor Control and Cerebellar Maturation in Autism. K23 MH092696-01. NIH/NIMH. (9/1/2010 - 11/30/2015). Federal. Status: Funded. The goal of this training award is to compare the development of motor control and underlying cerebellar function in individuals with autism and typically developing individuals.
Motor Control and Cerebellar Mechanisms in Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome. Once Upon A Time Foundation. (9/1/2013 - 11/30/2015). Foundation. Status: Funded. These translational studies aim to characterize motor control abnormalities and their neural underpinnings in patients with Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome using behavioral, neurophysiological and neuroimaging techniques.
Family Studies of Neurocognitive and Sensorimotor Heterogeneity in Autism. AR100276. Dept of the Army. (9/1/2011 - 7/31/2015). Federal. Status: Funded. This study examined neurocognitive and sensorimotor impairments in individuals with autism and their unaffected biological parents.
Autism Center of Excellence: Translational Studies of Insistence on Sameness in Autism. P50 HD055751-01. NICHD/NIMH. (9/1/2007 - 7/31/2013). Federal. Status: Funded. The aim of this project was to examine the roles of serotonin and cognitive flexibility in animal models, and to extend that to clinical trials of individuals with autism with clinical, cognitive and functional neuroimaging outcomes.