About

Christiana Butera is a researcher whose work spans various aspects of neurodevelopmental and motor disorders, with a focus on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Her research includes examining the neural mechanisms underlying motor signatures in autism, the relationship between sensory processing and school performance in high-functioning individuals with ASD, and the development of assessment tools for infants and toddlers at high risk for cerebral palsy. She has contributed to understanding the neural and behavioral differences in motor and sensory features in autism and DCD, as well as exploring the impact of sensory modulation on developmental outcomes. Her work also involves investigating the effects of early intervention and therapy services in neonatal intensive care units, as well as the neural correlates of affect recognition, empathy, and interoception in autism. She has studied the connectivity differences in the brain related to autism and developmental coordination disorder, and the neural mechanisms underlying motor and sensory features in these conditions. Her research aims to improve diagnostic accuracy, intervention strategies, and understanding of the neural basis of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Research topics

• Developmental psychology
• Psychology
• Cognitive psychology
• Psychiatry
• Computer Science
• Artificial Intelligence
• Neuroscience
• Clinical psychology
• Audiology
• Medicine

Selected publications

• Tryptophan-related Gut Microbes are Linked with Neural and Behavioral Autism Phenotypes

  Open MIND · 2026-02-16

  dataset

  Metadata for the manuscript "Tryptophan-related Gut Microbes are Linked with Neural and Behavioral Autism Phenotypes".

  DOI

• Tryptophan-related Gut Microbes are Linked with Neural and Behavioral Autism Phenotypes

  Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · 2026-02-16

  datasetOpen access

  Metadata for the manuscript "Tryptophan-related Gut Microbes are Linked with Neural and Behavioral Autism Phenotypes".

  PublisherDOI

• Tryptophan-related Gut Microbes are Linked with Neural and Behavioral Autism Phenotypes

  Research Square · 2026-03-10

  preprintOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Relationships between brain activity, tryptophan-related gut metabolites, and autism symptomatology

  Nature Communications · 2025-04-14 · 28 citations

  articleOpen access

  While it has been suggested that alterations in the composition of gut microbial metabolites may play a causative role in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it is not known how gut microbial metabolites are associated with ASD-specific brain alterations. In this cross-sectional, case-control observational study, (i) fecal metabolomics, (ii) task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and (iii) behavioral assessments were obtained from 43 ASD and 41 neurotypical (NT) children, aged 8-17. The fMRI tasks used socio-emotional and sensory paradigms that commonly reveal strong evoked brain differences in ASD participants. Our results show that fecal levels of specific tryptophan-related metabolites, including kynurenate, were significantly lower in ASD compared to NT, and were associated with: 1) alterations in insular and cingulate cortical activity previously implicated in ASD; and 2) ASD severity and symptoms (e.g., ADOS scores, disgust propensity, and sensory sensitivities). Moreover, activity in the mid-insula and mid-cingulate significantly mediated relationships between the microbial tryptophan metabolites (indolelactate and tryptophan betaine) and ASD severity and disgust sensitivity. Thus, we identify associations between gut microbial tryptophan metabolites, ASD symptoms, and brain activity in humans, particularly in brain regions associated with interoceptive processing.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Gross Motor Function Measure‐66 Item Sets for use with infants and toddlers at high risk for cerebral palsy: Construct validity and responsiveness

  Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology · 2025-02-14 · 4 citations

  articleOpen access

  AIM: To evaluate the construct validity and responsiveness of the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 Item Set (GMFM-66-IS), a standardized criterion-referenced observational measure, for use with children younger than 24 months with or at high risk for cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: Non-experimental integrative data analysis was performed on secondary data from three clinical trials involving children with or at high risk for CP (n = 79, 42 males, mean corrected age = 11.3 months [SD = 4.9]), and one observational study of typically developing children (n = 32, 14 males, mean age = 5.7 months [SD = 0.8]). The GMFM-66-IS and comparator instrument (gross motor subtest from the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition [Bayley-III] or Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Fourth Edition [Bayley-4], depending on the study) were administered at baseline and 3 months later. Comparator groups were based on neurological impairment, clinical rating of gross motor change, and CP status. Correlations (r) and regression-adjusted standardized mean differences (Hedges' g) were computed. RESULTS: GMFM-66-IS and Bayley scores were correlated at baseline (r = 0.83), 3 months later (r = 0.88), and across time (r = 0.83). Children with mild impairment had higher mean GMFM-66-IS scores at baseline (g = 0.87) and 3 months later (g = 0.95). Children rated as demonstrating greater than expected gross motor change had larger mean GMFM-66-IS change scores than children demonstrating less than expected change (g = 0.62). Typically developing children had larger mean GMFM-66-IS change scores (g = 1.00). INTERPRETATION: GMFM-66-IS scores were supported by evidence of strong construct validity and moderate responsiveness.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Motor Intervention on Cognition, Communication, and Social Interaction in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

  Physical & Occupational Therapy In Pediatrics · 2025-05-04 · 11 citations

  review

  AIMS: Conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of motor intervention on social, communication, and cognitive skills in individuals (0-21 years) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: Seven databases were used to search for randomized control trials (RCT) implementing a motor intervention for children with ASD; and measured social, communication, and cognitive outcomes. Twenty-three RCTs were selected with 66 outcomes and 636 participants (range of mean age: 4.3 - 12.3 years). RESULTS: = .18). In children above age nine, a 1-year increase in age corresponded to a 0.29 decrease in SSMD (less effective). CONCLUSIONS: Motor interventions have a positive impact and should be considered when planning interventions for children with ASD.

  PublisherDOI

• Disgust processing differences and their neural correlates in autistic youth

  2025-03-12

  preprintOpen access

  While there is some data indicating differences in emotion processing in autism spectrum conditions (ASC), disgust processing in particular has been less explored. Here, we examined disgust processing both behaviorally and neurally in autistic youth. Participants (25 ASC; 24 typically developing [TD]; aged 8-17) completed disgust proneness measures and fMRI scans while viewing pictures depicting physical disgust or social vicarious disgust. Behaviorally, the ASC group reported significantly higher disgust proneness compared to the TD group. During physical disgust, the ASC group versus the TD group showed significantly more activity in the posterior insula (PI) and significantly less activity in other emotion-related regions (anterior [AI] and mid-insula [MI], amygdala, ventromedial prefrontal cortex [vmPFC], medial orbitofrontal cortex [mOFC]). During social disgust, the ASC group showed significantly more activity in the AI, anterior cingulate, vmPFC/mOFC, and less activity in the amygdala, MI, PI, and fusiform areas. Additionally the ASC group showed significant differences in functional connectivity with the MI and mOFC. Within the ASC group, differences in brain activity and connectivity were significantly correlated with individual differences in disgust proneness. Taken together, when processing disgust-related stimuli, the ASC group had increased disgust proneness and showed differential emotion-related brain region activity and connectivity.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Relationships between tryptophan-related gut metabolites, brain activity, and autism symptomatology

  Research Square · 2024-07-25 · 1 citations

  preprintOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Caregiver and youth inter‐rater assessment agreement in autism spectrum disorder, developmental coordination disorder, and typical development

  Autism Research · 2024-03-01 · 5 citations

  articleOpen access

  Youth diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and those with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are at heightened risk for co-occurring mental health diagnoses, especially anxiety and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, caregiver-child agreement on presence of related symptoms in populations with neurodevelopmental conditions is not well understood. Here, we examine the extent to which 37 ASD, 26 DCD, and 40 typically developing children and their caregivers agree on the degree of the child's symptoms of anxiety and ADHD. All caregiver-child dyads completed the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders and Conners 3 ADHD Index. Across groups, intraclass correlations indicated generally poor agreement on anxiety and ADHD symptomatology. Although youth generally reported greater internalizing symptoms (i.e., anxiety), caregivers tended to report more observable externalizing behaviors (i.e., ADHD). Together, the results of this study support the need for a multi-informant approach in assessments of anxiety and ADHD in youth with neurodevelopmental disorders.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Development and Initial Outcomes of the Interdisciplinary ‘Early Identification and Intervention for Infants Network’ (Ei3) in Los Angeles

  Journal of Clinical Medicine · 2024-12-06 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Background/Objectives: The Early Identification and Intervention for Infants (Ei3) Network is an interdisciplinary team dedicated to improving early detection and intervention of cerebral palsy (CP) in California. This paper describes the key (1) awareness-building and (2) capacity-building strategies utilized by the Ei3 Network in the first two years. Methods: Awareness-building methods included interactive conference discussions, resource deliverable creation, and the creation of a framework for dissemination. Capacity-building methods were hosting assessment training, gathering stakeholder feedback, and implementation training. All deliverables were created with a minimum of 3 review and revision cycles. We planned, hosted, and provided scholarships for training, including the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE), Prechtl’s GMA, and an implementation conference. Preliminary descriptive statistics and paired samples t-tests were performed on HINE training surveys. Results: Seven resource deliverables were created and distributed. A professional website, @steps2home.org, was launched. Online channels gained followers (146, Instagram; 198, X; 298, Mailchimp). Providers participated in various trainings: the Sykes Symposium on early detection and intervention (70), HINE (211), GMA Basic or Advanced (46), and Implementation Conference (six facilities from April 2023 to June 2024). HINE training participants reported increased ability to identify CP (p = 0.001), knowledge of (p = 0.004) early detection, ability to implement early detection guidelines (p < 0.001), and confidence in performing the HINE on the post-test (79.87%). Conclusions: The first two years of Ei3 resulted in increased awareness of the early detection guidelines through resources to help providers and families navigate complex care systems and dissemination through online and in-person strategies. We built capacity by training an increased number of providers to identify infants at risk of CP and implement the early detection guidelines. Engagement of stakeholders in focus groups, reviewing documents, and including a parent panel throughout the process increased the value of this work and should support the expansion of the network in the next year.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Lisa Aziz‐Zadeh

  University of Southern California

  34 shared

• Laura Harrison

  University of Southern California

  30 shared

• Emily Kilroy

  University of Southern California

  29 shared

• Aditya Jayashankar

  22 shared

• Alexis Nalbach

  University of Southern California

  8 shared

• Sharon A. Cermak

  University of Southern California

  8 shared

• Anusha Hossain

  University of Southern California

  7 shared

• Stacey C. Dusing

  University of Southern California

  6 shared

Labs

• Health Equity LabPI