Date of Conferral

7-7-2026

Date of Award

July 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Sciences

Advisor

Zin Htway

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened concerns about health disparities among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Limited understanding of the biological factors underlying health variability may hinder efforts to reduce disparities and improve care for neurodivergent populations. Guided by the psychoneuroimmunology framework, this quantitative study investigated whether cytoskeletal gene expression was associated with neuroimmune variability in ASD and SARS-CoV-2 populations. Three genes –Nck-associated protein 1 (NCKAP1), WAS/WASL-interacting protein family member 1 (WIPF1), and actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 1B (ARPC1B)—were evaluated using two publicly available Gene Expression Omnibus datasets GSE212645 (ASD vs. sibling-matched controls, N = 40) and GSE152641 (SARS-CoV-2-positive vs. healthy controls, N = 86). Gene expression differences were evaluated using multivariate statistical methods while controlling for developmental and demographic covariates. Results demonstrated increased ARPC1B expression in the ASD dataset and significant effects of puberty status across all genes examined, whereas no significant gene expression differences were seen in the SARS-CoV-2 dataset. These findings suggest that variability within ASD may be influenced more strongly by developmental and demographic factors than by uniform disease-related mechanisms. Implications for positive social change include informing more inclusive and fair public health strategies and supporting efforts to reduce disparities in healthcare access, outcomes, and representation among neurodivergent populations.

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