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Profile

Opal Ousley PhD

  • Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
    Assistant Professor
  • (404) 727-8350
  • opal.y.ousley@emory.edu
Head shot of Opal Ousley

Academic Appointment

  • Associate Faculty, Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta
  • Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta

Education

Degrees

  • PhD from Vanderbilt University, Nashville
  • MS from Vanderbilt University, Nashville
  • BA from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill

Research

Focus

  • My research focuses on understanding the cognitive, social, and adaptive behavioral development and outcomes of infants, children, and young adults with autism spectrum disorders, as well as those with specific genetic disorders associated with autism, including 22q11 deletion syndrome and phenylketonuria.

Publications

  • Random forest and Shapley Additive exPlanations predict oxytocin targeted effects on brain functional networks involved in salience and sensorimotor processing, in a randomized clinical trial in autism.
    Neuropsychopharmacology
    04/02/2025 Authors: Andari E; Gopinath K; O'Leary E; Caceres GA; Nishitani S; Smith AK; Ousley O; Rilling JK; Cubells JF; Young LJ
  • Toward better outcome measurement for insomnia in children with autism spectrum disorder.
    Autism Volume: 28 Page(s): 3131 - 3142
    12/01/2024 Authors: Scahill L; Lecavalier L; Edwards MC; Wenzell ML; Barto LM; Mulligan A; Williams AT; Ousley O; Sinha CB; Taylor CA
  • Exploring the Congruence of actigraphy and the Pediatric Autism Insomnia rating Scale.
    Sleep Med Volume: 123 Page(s): 49 - 53
    11/01/2024 Authors: Wenzell ML; Johnson CR; Lecavalier L; Barto L; Mulligan A; Williams A; Ousley O; Kim SY; Schiltz NK; Scahill L
  • Validation of an Enhanced Telehealth Platform for Toddlers at Increased Likelihood for a Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
    J Autism Dev Disord Volume: 54 Page(s): 4019 - 4033
    11/01/2024 Authors: Morrier MJ; Schwartz AJ; Rice CE; Platner A; Ousley OY; Kassem S; Krishnan AV; Lord C; Smith CJ; Oberleitner R
  • Reduced amplitude and slowed latency of the acoustic startle response in adolescents and adults with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.
    Schizophr Res Volume: 269 Page(s): 9 - 17
    07/01/2024 Authors: Parker DA; Imes S; Ruban G; Ousley OY; Henshey B; Massa NM; Walker E; Cubells JF; Duncan E
  • Psychosis spectrum symptoms among individuals with schizophrenia-associated copy number variants and evidence of cerebellar correlates of symptom severity.
    Psychiatry Res Volume: 335 Page(s): 115867
    05/01/2024 Authors: Sefik E; Guest RM; Aberizk K; Espana R; Goines K; Novacek DM; Murphy MM; Goldman-Yassen AE; Cubells JF; Ousley O
  • Deep psychophysiological phenotyping of adolescents and adults with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: a multilevel approach to defining core disease processes.
    BMC Psychiatry Volume: 23 Page(s): 425
    06/13/2023 Authors: Parker DA; Cubells JF; Imes SL; Ruban GA; Henshey BT; Massa NM; Walker EF; Duncan EJ; Ousley OY
  • Neurocognitive and Sensorimotor Biomarkers of Psychosis-Risk in 22q.11.2 Deletion Syndrome and Their Relationship to Clinical Symptoms
    Volume: 47 Page(s): 349 - 350
    12/01/2022 Authors: Parker D; Imes S; Henshey B; Massa N; Cuthbert B; Lee G; Walker E; Duncan E; Cubells J; Ousley O
  • Integrating de novo and inherited variants in 42,607 autism cases identifies mutations in new moderate-risk genes.
    Nat Genet Volume: 54 Page(s): 1305 - 1319
    09/01/2022 Authors: Zhou X; Feliciano P; Shu C; Wang T; Astrovskaya I; Hall JB; Obiajulu JU; Wright JR; Murali SC; Xu SX
  • A Randomized Trial of Direct Instruction Language for Learning in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.
    J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Volume: 61 Page(s): 772 - 781
    06/01/2022 Authors: Scahill L; Shillingsburg MA; Ousley O; Pileggi ML; Kilbourne RL; Buckley D; Gillespie SE; McCracken C
  • Development of an interactive tool of early social responsiveness to track autism risk in infants and toddlers.
    Dev Med Child Neurol Volume: 64 Page(s): 323 - 330
    03/01/2022 Authors: Factor RS; Arriaga RI; Morrier MJ; Mathys JB; Dirienzo M; Miller CA; Southerland AM; Abowd GD; Ousley OY
  • Imputing cognitive impairment in SPARK, a large autism cohort.
    Autism Res Volume: 15 Page(s): 156 - 170
    01/01/2022 Authors: Shu C; Green Snyder L; Shen Y; Chung WK; SPARK Consortium
  • Brief Report: Impact of COVID-19 on Individuals with ASD and Their Caregivers: A Perspective from the SPARK Cohort.
    J Autism Dev Disord Volume: 51 Page(s): 3766 - 3773
    10/01/2021 Authors: White LC; Law JK; Daniels AM; Toroney J; Vernoia B; Xiao S; SPARK Consortium; Feliciano P; Chung WK
  • Genetic contributors to risk of schizophrenia in the presence of a 22q11.2 deletion.
    Mol Psychiatry Volume: 26 Page(s): 4496 - 4510
    08/01/2021 Authors: Cleynen I; Engchuan W; Hestand MS; Heung T; Holleman AM; Johnston HR; Monfeuga T; McDonald-McGinn DM; Gur RE; Morrow BE
  • Early Pandemic Experiences of Autistic Adults: Predictors of Psychological Distress.
    Autism Res Volume: 14 Page(s): 1209 - 1219
    06/01/2021 Authors: Bal VH; Wilkinson E; White LC; Law JK; SPARK Consortium; Feliciano P; Chung WK
  • Using common genetic variation to examine phenotypic expression and risk prediction in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.
    Nat Med Volume: 26 Page(s): 1912 - 1918
    12/01/2020 Authors: Davies RW; Fiksinski AM; Breetvelt EJ; Williams NM; Hooper SR; Monfeuga T; Bassett AS; Owen MJ; Gur RE; Morrow BE
  • Psychiatric and Medical Profiles of Autistic Adults in the SPARK Cohort.
    J Autism Dev Disord Volume: 50 Page(s): 3679 - 3698
    10/01/2020 Authors: Fombonne E; Green Snyder L; Daniels A; Feliciano P; Chung W; SPARK Consortium
  • A Pilot Study of Cardiovascular Reactivity in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.
    Semin Pediatr Neurol Volume: 34 Page(s): 100807
    07/01/2020 Authors: Amoss RT; Leong T; Evans AN; Ousley O; Herrington JD; Lecavalier L; Goodwin MS; Hofmann SG; Scahill L
  • Epigenetic modification of the oxytocin receptor gene: implications for autism symptom severity and brain functional connectivity.
    Neuropsychopharmacology Volume: 45 Page(s): 1150 - 1158
    06/01/2020 Authors: Andari E; Nishitani S; Kaundinya G; Caceres GA; Morrier MJ; Ousley O; Smith AK; Cubells JF; Young LJ
  • Beliefs in vaccine as causes of autism among SPARK cohort caregivers.
    Vaccine Volume: 38 Page(s): 1794 - 1803
    02/11/2020 Authors: Fombonne E; Goin-Kochel RP; O'Roak BJ; SPARK Consortium
  • School-age social behavior and pragmatic language ability in children with prenatal serotonin reuptake inhibitor exposure.
    Dev Psychopathol Volume: 32 Page(s): 21 - 30
    02/01/2020 Authors: Smearman EL; Hendrix CL; Winiarski DA; Johnson KC; Smith AK; Ousley OY; Stowe ZN; Newport DJ; Brennan PA
  • Epigenetic Modifications of the Oxytocin Receptor Gene and Autism Spectrum Disorders
    Volume: 44 Page(s): 98 - 98
    12/01/2019 Authors: Andari E; Nishitani S; Kaundinya G; Caceres G; Morrier M; Ousley O; Smith A; Cubells J; Young L
  • Exome sequencing of 457 autism families recruited online provides evidence for autism risk genes.
    NPJ Genom Med Volume: 4 Page(s): 19
    01/01/2019 Authors: Feliciano P; Zhou X; Astrovskaya I; Turner TN; Wang T; Brueggeman L; Barnard R; Hsieh A; Snyder LG; Muzny DM
  • Targeted Action of Intranasal Oxytocin on Brain Functional Connectivity in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder
    Volume: 43 Page(s): S245 - S245
    12/01/2018 Authors: Andari E; Kaundinya G; Caceres G; Ousley O; Morrier M; Rilling J; Cubells J; Young L
  • SPARK: A US Cohort of 50,000 Families to Accelerate Autism Research.
    Neuron Volume: 97 Page(s): 488 - 493
    02/07/2018 Authors: SPARK Consortium. Electronic address: pfeliciano@simonsfoundation.org; SPARK Consortium
  • Brief Report: Relationship Between ADOS-2, Module 4 Calibrated Severity Scores (CSS) and Social and Non-Social Standardized Assessment Measures in Adult Males with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
    J Autism Dev Disord Volume: 47 Page(s): 4018 - 4024
    12/01/2017 Authors: Morrier MJ; Ousley OY; Caceres-Gamundi GA; Segall MJ; Cubells JF; Young LJ; Andari E
  • Subthreshold Psychosis in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: Multisite Naturalistic Study.
    Schizophr Bull Volume: 43 Page(s): 1079 - 1089
    09/01/2017 Authors: Weisman O; Guri Y; Gur RE; McDonald-McGinn DM; Calkins ME; Tang SX; Emanuel B; Zackai EH; Eliez S; Schneider M
  • Examining the Overlap between Autism Spectrum Disorder and 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.
    Int J Mol Sci Volume: 18
    05/18/2017 Authors: Ousley O; Evans AN; Fernandez-Carriba S; Smearman EL; Rockers K; Morrier MJ; Evans DW; Coleman K; Cubells J
  • The effect of hypocalcemia in early childhood on autism-related social and communication skills in patients with 22q11 deletion syndrome.
    Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci Volume: 265 Page(s): 519 - 524
    09/01/2015 Authors: Muldoon M; Ousley OY; Kobrynski LJ; Patel S; Oster ME; Fernandez-Carriba S; Cubells JF; Coleman K; Pearce BD
  • Cognitive decline preceding the onset of psychosis in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.
    JAMA Psychiatry Volume: 72 Page(s): 377 - 385
    04/01/2015 Authors: Vorstman JAS; Breetvelt EJ; Duijff SN; Eliez S; Schneider M; Jalbrzikowski M; Armando M; Vicari S; Shashi V; Hooper SR
  • Psychiatric disorders from childhood to adulthood in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: results from the International Consortium on Brain and Behavior in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.
    Am J Psychiatry Volume: 171 Page(s): 627 - 639
    06/01/2014 Authors: Schneider M; Debban M; Bassett AS; Chow EWC; Fung WLA; van den Bree M; Owen M; Murphy KC; Niarchou M; Kates WR
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder: Defining Dimensions and Subgroups.
    Curr Dev Disord Rep Volume: 1 Page(s): 20 - 28
    03/01/2014 Authors: Ousley O; Cermak T
  • Axis I psychiatric diagnoses in adolescents and young adults with 22q11 deletion syndrome.
    Eur Psychiatry Volume: 28 Page(s): 417 - 422
    09/01/2013 Authors: Ousley OY; Smearman E; Fernandez-Carriba S; Rockers KA; Coleman K; Walker EF; Cubells JF
  • Association of IL-12p70 and IL-6:IL-10 ratio with autism-related behaviors in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: a preliminary report.
    Brain Behav Immun Volume: 31 Page(s): 76 - 81
    07/01/2013 Authors: Ross HE; Guo Y; Coleman K; Ousley O; Miller AH
  • Prodromal and autistic symptoms in schizotypal personality disorder and 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.
    J Abnorm Psychol Volume: 122 Page(s): 238 - 249
    02/01/2013 Authors: Esterberg ML; Ousley OY; Cubells JF; Walker EF
  • A multisite study of the clinical diagnosis of different autism spectrum disorders.
    Arch Gen Psychiatry Volume: 69 Page(s): 306 - 313
    03/01/2012 Authors: Lord C; Petkova E; Hus V; Gan W; Lu F; Martin DM; Ousley O; Guy L; Bernier R; Gerdts J
  • Web-based training in early autism screening: results from a pilot study.
    Telemed J E Health Volume: 17 Page(s): 640 - 644
    10/01/2011 Authors: Kobak KA; Stone WL; Ousley OY; Swanson A
  • Prodromal symptoms in adolescents with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and schizotypal personality disorder.
    Schizophr Res Volume: 129 Page(s): 20 - 28
    06/01/2011 Authors: Shapiro DI; Cubells JF; Ousley OY; Rockers K; Walker EF
  • Social-adaptive and psychological functioning of patients affected by Fabry disease.
    J Inherit Metab Dis Volume: 33 Suppl 3 Page(s): S73 - S81
    12/01/2010 Authors: Laney DA; Gruskin DJ; Fernhoff PM; Cubells JF; Ousley OY; Hipp H; Mehta AJ
  • SCHIZOTYPAL PERSONALITY DISORDER AND THE 22Q11.2 DELETION SYNDROME: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRODROMAL SYMPTOMS AND AUTISTIC FEATURES
    Volume: 117 Page(s): 303 - 303
    04/01/2010 Authors: Esterberg ML; Ousley O; Cubells J; Walker EF
  • Pathophysiological Pathways in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Focus on Brain-Periphery Interactions
    Volume: 8 Page(s): 231 - 249
    01/01/2010 Authors: Pearce BD; Thorsen P; Sullivan KM; Ryan PB; Ousley O
  • Performance on the Modified Card Sorting Test and its relation to psychopathology in adolescents and young adults with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.
    J Intellect Disabil Res Volume: 53 Page(s): 665 - 676
    07/01/2009 Authors: Rockers K; Ousley O; Sutton T; Schoenberg E; Coleman K; Walker E; Cubells JF
  • 22Q11DELETION SYNDROME AND SCHIZOTYPAL PERSONALITY DISORDER: BEHAVIORAL AND PRODROMAL SYMPTOMS IN INDIVIDUALS AT HIGH RISK FOR PSYCHOSIS
    Volume: 35 Page(s): 20 - 21
    03/01/2009 Authors: Shapiro D; Cubells JF; Rockers K; Ousley O; Walker EF
  • Motor-behavior abnormalities and schizophrenia-prodrome symptoms in adolescents and young adults with 22q11 deletion syndrome
    Volume: 63 Page(s): 269S - 269S
    04/01/2008 Authors: Cubells JF; Ousley OY; Rockers K; McMillan A; Schoenberg E; Sutton TJ; Kim S-H; Coleman K; Walker EF
  • Sleep & activity disturbances in 22q11 Deletion Syndrome using actigraphy
    Volume: 31 Page(s): A70 - A70
    01/01/2008 Authors: Umlauf MG; Coleman K; Rockers K; Cubells JF; Ousley O; Pryor ER; Makris C
  • A review of neurocognitive and behavioral profiles associated with 22q11 deletion syndrome: implications for clinical evaluation and treatment.
    Curr Psychiatry Rep Volume: 9 Page(s): 148 - 158
    04/01/2007 Authors: Ousley O; Rockers K; Dell ML; Coleman K; Cubells JF
  • The neural processing of moral sensitivity to issues of justice and care.
    Neuropsychologia Volume: 45 Page(s): 755 - 766
    03/02/2007 Authors: Robertson D; Snarey J; Ousley O; Harenski K; DuBois Bowman F; Gilkey R; Kilts C
  • Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in a clinic sample of children and adolescents with pervasive developmental disorders.
    J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol Volume: 16 Page(s): 737 - 746
    12/01/2006 Authors: Lee DO; Ousley OY
  • Brief report: screening tool for autism in two-year-olds (STAT): development and preliminary data.
    J Autism Dev Disord Volume: 30 Page(s): 607 - 612
    12/01/2000 Authors: Stone WL; Coonrod EE; Ousley OY
  • Patterns of adaptive behavior in very young children with autism.
    Am J Ment Retard Volume: 104 Page(s): 187 - 199
    03/01/1999 Authors: Stone WL; Ousley OY; Hepburn SL; Hogan KL; Brown CS
  • Neuropsychological functioning in a 10-year-old child with autism.
    ARCHIVES OF CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGY Volume: 14 Page(s): 15 - 16
    01/01/1999 Authors: Ousley OY; Wossum DJ; Stone WL
  • Motor imitation in young children with autism: what's the object?
    J Abnorm Child Psychol Volume: 25 Page(s): 475 - 485
    12/01/1997 Authors: Stone WL; Ousley OY; Littleford CD
  • Nonverbal communication in two- and three-year-old children with autism.
    J Autism Dev Disord Volume: 27 Page(s): 677 - 696
    12/01/1997 Authors: Stone WL; Ousley OY; Yoder PJ; Hogan KL; Hepburn SL
  • Early recognition of autism. Parental reports vs clinical observation.
    Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med Volume: 148 Page(s): 174 - 179
    02/01/1994 Authors: Stone WL; Hoffman EL; Lewis SE; Ousley OY
  • Sexual attitudes and knowledge of high-functioning adolescents and adults with autism.
    J Autism Dev Disord Volume: 21 Page(s): 471 - 481
    12/01/1991 Authors: Ousley OY; Mesibov GB
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