Science News
Funding autism research is a primary goal of Autism Speaks. While ten years ago there were only a handful of scientists working on this problem, now there are well over 1000, and more begin work on autism every day.
To help you keep up on their efforts, we'll provide a regular digest of the latest scientific and medical research on autism. Because many are reprinted from scientific journals, they may contain technical language. Also note that due to copyright issues, abstracts may link you to sites where the full text of the article is available for a fee.
Remember to check back regularly to find updates on the latest autism research.
Autism Speaks Announces More than $1.2 Million in Fellowship Grants
Autism Speaks has announced funding for seventeen new Pre-Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Fellowships – two-year grants awarded to support the efforts of graduate student and postdoctoral researchers working in fields related to autism. The fellowships will not only fund a diverse group of exciting research projects on the etiology, biology, diagnosis and treatment of autism, but, most importantly, will encourage the development of promising young scientists who wish to devote their careers to autism research.
Date: 09/25/08
Autism Speaks Announces New International Research Collaboration
Autism Speaks, the Rett Syndrome Research Trust and the Medical Research Council, UK Partner to Research the Reversibility of Rett Syndrome.
Date: 09/25/08
Rare Genetic Disorder Gives Clues to Autism, Epilepsy, Mental Retardation
A rare genetic disorder called tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is yielding insight into a possible cause of some neurodevelopmental disorders: structural abnormalities in neurons, or brain cells. Researchers in the F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center at Children's Hospital Boston, led by Mustafa Sahin, M.D., Ph.D., and Xi He, Ph.D., also found that normal neuronal structure can potentially be restored.
Date: 09/24/08
Autism Speaks Announces $3.6M in Grants Focusing on Environmental Factors and Autism
Autism Speaks has awarded $3.6 million over the next three years to 12 new studies focusing on environmental factors in autism. In doing so, Autism Speaks furthers its commitment to funding innovative projects on potential environmental contributions to autism spectrum disorders. The projects range in approach and scope, but include areas of toxicology, immunology, epigenetics, and animal models.
Date: 09/18/08
NIMH Statement on Chelation Trial for Autism Spectrum Disorders
The protocol for a proposed National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) chelation study for autism that has been discussed for the past two years for human subjects' protections has been discontinued. NIMH has decided that resources are better directed at this time to testing other potential therapies for autism spectrum disorders, and is not pursuing the additional review required to begin the study.
Date: 09/17/08
Autism Treatment Network Receives $12 Million Grant from Health Resources and Services Administration
Autism Speaks' Autism Treatment Network (ATN) has received a three-year, $12 million grant to serve as an Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P). The network grant was part of four initiatives developed by the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau under the Combating Autism Act Initiative. This multi-institutional grant, led by the ATN Clinical Coordinating Center at MassGeneral Hospital for Children will support research projects on interventions that have a direct impact on improving the physical health and well-being of children and adolescents with autism. The grant will also expand the ATN's on-going efforts to develop clinical guidelines supported by rigorous research evidence.
Date: 09/12/08
Meeting Addresses Pediatric Neurotransmitter Disease and Autism Commonalities
Pediatric Neurotransmitter Disease (PND) represents a collection of rare diseases in children related to abnormalities in the synthesis and breakdown of the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and GABA. As recent awareness of PNDs has increased, so has the recognition of rare overlaps with autism in certain individuals. Autism Speaks sent representatives to the Pediatric Neurotransmitter Disease Association meeting in Washington D.C. in July, joining with clinicians, basic scientists and families affected by PNDs to learn more about these rare disorders. Autism Speaks intends to continue to collaborate and benefit from the improved perspectives that come from exploring common ground with associated fields of research and treatment.
Date: 09/12/08
NIH to fund Research to Advance Vaccine Safety
The NIH has issued a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) request for grant applications entitled Research to Advance Vaccine Safety, designed to support research that will contribute to the overall understanding of vaccine safety. This R01 research opportunity invites studies that address scientific areas potentially relevant to vaccine safety.
Date: 09/03/08
Study Shows No Connection Between Autism and Persistence of MMR Virus RNA
A study published today found that measles virus RNA was no more likely to be present in the bowel tissue of children with autism than that of typically developing children. Furthermore, GI symptom and autism onset were found to be unrelated to MMR vaccine timing. These findings refute an earlier report published in 1998 that indicated autism is associated with the measles virus vaccine.
Date: 09/03/08
New Locations for Clinical Trials Network Study Announced
Autism Speaks' Clinical Trials Network announces new locations in Florida and New Jersey for its on-going trial, the Study of Fluoxetine in Autism (SOFIA). The study will include more than 100 children and adolescents with autistic disorder to evaluate the effectiveness of a "melt-in-the-mouth" preparation of fluoxetine, in reducing certain core symptoms of autism.
Date: 08/22/08
Innovative Technology Helps to Advance Research and Treatment of Autism
The goal of Autism Speaks' Innovative Technology for Autism (ITA) initiative is to facilitate the development of new technology to assist individuals with autism, clinicians and behavioral support staff, as well as the variety of researchers in the clinical, education and technology related fields. June proved to be a busy month for the ITA, starting with the publication of a journal article, penned by program Vice-Chair Matthew S. Goodwin, Ph.D., which highlights the many technologies emerging in this exciting field. Additionally, ITA committee members attended the Autism Speaks co-sponsored 7th International Conference on Interaction Design for Children (IDC). The goal of the conference, held June 11-13, was to better understand children's needs and how to design specifically for them and their developmental requirements.
Date: 08/08/08
Autism Speaks Awards More than $4.5 Million in Basic and Clinical Grants
Autism Speaks has awarded 24 new grants in the fields of basic and clinical research dedicated to autism. Two types of grants were awarded: two-year Pilot grants that explore newer, particularly innovative lines of research, and three-year Basic and Clinical grants that build on more established research. The funded projects take a variety of approaches toward revealing the underlying biology and causes of autism.
Date: 07/25/08
Study: Social Struggles in Autism Due to Disrupted Communication Networks in Brain
People with autism often struggle to pick up social cues in determining another person's intentions in a social interaction. New research from Carnegie Mellon University investigates the neural mechanisms that are responsible for such social difficulties in autism. The study is available on the Web site of the journal Social Neuroscience.
Date: 07/24/08
Study: Middle Eastern Families Yield Intriguing Clues to Autism
Researchers at Harvard University have discovered half a dozen new genes involved in autism that suggest the disorder strikes in a brain that can't properly form new connections. The study was published in the July 11 edition of the journal Science.
Date: 07/11/08
ATP Facilitates Study of Mitochondrial and Synaptic Dysfunction in Autism
The Autism Tissue Program (ATP) is a brain tissue donor program sponsored by Autism Speaks that provides brain tissue to researchers worldwide. Three recently published papers demonstrate the importance of this precious resource in understanding the impact of mitochondrial dysfunction in autism and the role of synapses in autism.
Date: 07/11/08
Experts Convene to Discuss Autism and Mitochondrial Disease
On June 29, a panel of 15 experts convened in Indianapolis to discuss the co-occurrence of mitochondrial disease and autism. The Hannah Poling case has brought this issue to the public and into focus as a priority for researchers and clinicians. An important outcome of this meeting was the initiation of a dialog between researchers in autism and mitochondrial disease, increasing future collaborative research in this area. The promise of further collaboration was encouraging to an audience comprised of scientists and advocates interested in seeing more research at the interface of these two complex disorders.
Date: 07/11/08
Autism Speaks Announces More than $3.8 Million in New Treatment Grants
As part of its commitment to establishing effective treatments for those affected by autism, Autism Speaks has announced more than $3.8 million in grant awards to investigate promising treatments over the next three years. Thirteen innovative grant proposals were selected, describing research into a variety of topics such as the evaluation of B12 injections, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, oxidative stress markers, sensory-based interventions, acupuncture and more. This research will help parents make informed choices for their family members at a time when treatment options for autism are far from standardized.
Date: 06/27/08
Drug Reverses Mental Retardation in Mice
Researchers at UCLA have discovered that an FDA-approved drug reverses the brain dysfunction inflicted by a genetic disease called tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Because half of TSC patients also suffer from autism, the findings offer new hope for addressing learning disorders due to autism. The findings were published by Nature Medicine in its June 22 online edition.
Date: 06/23/08
Autism Speaks Announces Request for Applications Focused on International Autism Epidemiology
Autism Speaks recently announced a new funding mechanism for international records-based epidemiology research and is currently requesting applications. The purpose of this request for applications (RFA) is to lay the groundwork for autism prevalence studies of outside of the U.S., using methodology similar to that used by the CDC from which the current U.S. prevalence estimate of 1 in 150 children was ascertained. International epidemiology studies such as these can help generate clues about the potential causes, both genetic and environmental, that occur with different frequency in different populations around the world.
Date: 06/13/08
International Collaboration to Raise Awareness in Latin America and Caribbean Countries
Autism Speaks in collaboration with the U.S. National Institutes of Health, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Carso Health Institute of Mexico recently announced the Pan American Autism Awareness and Training Initiative (PAAATI), an unprecedented international private-public partnership to address this challenge in the Americas. The purpose of PAAATI is to raise awareness, increase research expertise and enhance service delivery.
Date: 06/13/08
2008 IMFAR Shows Progress in All Areas of Autism Research
The seventh annual International Meeting for Autism Research recently concluded in London with more than 1150 researchers from around the world in attendance. The record number of attendees and the depth and breadth of the science presented signals that autism research is truly becoming global, with advances being made across the board. But most importantly, the science presented and discussed will help individuals and families who are living with autism by uncovering more effective means to diagnose, treat and determine the causes of autism.
Date: 05/30/08
IMFAR 2008 Brings Together Scientists to Report Latest Findings on Autism
Scientists from around the world convened in London for the annual International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) sharing their latest research information. The goal of those in attendance was to help individuals around the world living with autism, and their families, have a better quality of care and life.
Date: 05/19/08
Department of Defense Offers $6.4 Million in Autism Research Funding Opportunities (2008)
New funding opportunities are available for the Autism Spectrum Disorder from the Department of Defense Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Program. The overall goal of the Fiscal Year 2008 (FY08) ASDRP, is to improve the lives of individuals currently living with autism spectrum disorder.
Date: 05/09/08
Department of Defense Announces $5.9 Million in Autism Research Funding (2007)
The Department of Defense's Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Program (ASDRP) recently announced the proposals recommended for funding from its Fiscal Year 2007 grants totaling $5.9 million to aid research programs in three main categories: clinical partnership, idea development and concept.
Date: 05/09/08
Symposium Focuses on Role of Environment in Autism
On April 22, more than 200 participants convened at Vanderbilt University to discuss the role of the environment in increasing autism risk as well as its impact on the diversity of behavioral and medical symptoms in autism. Presenters included experts in the fields of toxicology, epidemiology, psychology, and molecular biology. Special emphasis was given to how epidemiological research has informed scientists about potential exposures and how they may interact with genetic risk factors. Also discussed were a variety of potential environmental factors and how exposure to them may produce symptoms of ASD. Full videos of the presentations are available on the Symposium website.
Date: 05/09/08
Face Processing Area of Brain Shows Anatomical Differences in Autism
A new publication in the journal Brain describes significant anatomical differences in a facial processing area of the brain in people with autism. As the basis for the study, Imke van Kooten, Ph.D., and an international team of researchers have diligently measured neuronal features in post mortem brain sections, demonstrating that patients with autism have significant reductions in the density, total number, and mean cell volume of neurons in the area known as the fusiform gyrus. The authors suggest that these reductions might contribute to the impaired face processing seen in autism which, in turn, may contribute to some of the social deficits of autism. Plans are underway for further study of additional cortical areas implicated in visual processing. This continued research will be part of a larger project supported by Autism Speaks' Autism Tissue Program, the Brain Atlas Project.
Date: 05/01/08
Special Journal Issue Explores Oxidative Stress in Autism
In 2007 the American Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (AJBB) issued a specific request for articles dedicated to the role of oxidative stress in autism. The resultant group of articles was published in a special issue this month, focused entirely on this hot topic in autism. Many of the studies selected for publication are funded by or utilize research resources made available by Autism Speaks. The collection of publications provides an important contribution to the body of literature on oxidative stress in autism spectrum disorders, and is available to the public on the AJBB web site.
Date: 04/25/08
Clinical Trials Network: Special FDA Designation Validates Need for Autism Clinical Trials
Neuropharm, a specialty pharmaceutical company, and sponsor of the CTN Study of Fluoxetine in Autism (SOFIA), has received "Fast Track" designation by the US Food and Drug Administration. This special designation is granted only in circumstances where a drug targets a serious unmet medical need, and affirms the urgent need for medicines that target autism. SOFIA is the CTN's first industry-sponsored trial, and will evaluate the efficacy of a new melt-in-the-mouth formulation of fluoxetine for the treatment of repetitive behaviors in autism.
Date: 04/18/08
Keystone Symposia Turns Its Attention to Autism
This past February, the Keystone Symposia, an organization dedicated to bringing together the world's top scientists from a variety of disciplines, turned its attention to autism by holding a conference in New Mexico. Speaking about the five day symposium, lecturer and Autism Speaks' Chief Scientific Officer Geri Dawson, Ph.D., enthused about the many non-autism scientists eager to learn about autism and then share the knowledge within their own respective fields. Also in attendance were many young scientists wanting to direct their careers toward the study of autism, underscoring the importance of such gatherings for the future of autism research.
Date: 04/10/08
Autism Speaks Spearheads Collaborative Grant with the Allen Institute for Brain Science and Leading Autism Expert to Analyze Frontal Lobe Microstructure in Autism
Autism Speaks will join forces with the Allen Institute for Brain Science on a research grant that facilitates examination of molecular markers of genetic activity in the brain of patients with autism. The study will provide insight into the biological features that underlie autism, and will build on previous discoveries that abnormal overgrowth of particular brain regions likely triggers autistic behavior in infants. Says Eric Courchesne, Ph.D., head of the collaboration and director of UC San Diego's Autism Center of Excellence, "Once we pinpoint the specific brain cells and genes involved in the abnormal growth, it will be possible to see more clearly what is causing autism, which will more rapidly lead to novel biomedical interventions to improve the outcome for each child."
Date: 04/04/08
Autism Speaks Announces Pre and Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant RFA
Autism Speaks invites applications from young scientists interested in pursuing careers in autism research. The applicant investigator must be a qualified pre/postdoctoral student. The proposed research must be scientifically linked to autism and may be broadened to include training in a closely related contextual area of research. The deadline for applications is May 14, 2008.
Date: 03/31/08
New Research Opportunity in Autism and Related Disorders Announced
The National Institute of Mental Health has released two new Requests for Applications research into novel interventions for neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders.
Date: 03/31/08
Autism Speaks Announces Environmental Sciences RFA
Recent research in autism spectrum disorders suggests that both genetics and environmental factors are involved in the causes of autism. In some instances, this complex disorder may be the result of an interaction of many genes with an as-yet undefined scope of environmental influences. In order to facilitate research into this area, Autism Speaks has issued a "request for applications" or RFA to support scientific study into environmental factors, and gene and environment interactions, in autism. The first deadline for applications is June 2, 2008.
Date: 03/28/08
Neurochemistry Colloquium Investigates Metabolic Dysfunction in Autism
Organized by Autism Speaks grantee Ved Chauhan, Ph.D., a special colloquium in conjunction with the annual American Society for Neurochemistry conference was held on March 3. Five speakers presented their perspectives on the evidence for a metabolic component in autism to a large international audience. The goal of these presentations was to promote broader exploration in autism by investigators specializing in neurochemistry and related subjects, with emphasis on the importance of developing research to address the functional impact of metabolic changes, and of clinical practices to recognize the metabolic consequences of subtoxic environmental insults.
Date: 03/27/08
Advancing Clinical Practice Through Recognition of Autism Subtypes
Two recently published scientific articles underscore the remarkable heterogeneity of autism. This heterogeneity presents a challenge for clinicians in terms of diagnostic and treatment concerns. Comprehending and describing various subgroups of autism might be a way to advance the field of autism research and inch us closer to efficiently prescribed treatment strategies. As basic research advances our knowledge of autism, this knowledge needs to be translated into improved clinical practices – a goal facilitated by Autism Speaks programs such as the Autism Treatment Network (ATN) and the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE).
Date: 03/20/08
Gene for Brain Connections Linked with Autism
A gene that helps the brain make connections may underlie a significant number of autism cases, researchers in the United States reported on Tuesday.
Date: 03/19/08
INSAR Publishes Inaugural Issue of Autism Research Journal
The inaugural issue of Autism Research, a new journal published by the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR), is available online, and will be available in print in the next few weeks. Autism Research promises to bring fresh perspectives into the field because of its wider reach. By harnessing the expertise of scientists both new to the field and those from distant geographic locations, this journal offers a vehicle for communication and inspiration that can help transform the field.
Date: 03/13/08
Scientists Announce New Drosophila Drug Screen for Fragile X Syndrome
Scientists using a new drug screening method in Drosophila (fruit flies), have identified several drugs and small molecules that reverse the features of fragile X syndrome -- a frequent form of mental retardation and one of the leading known causes of autism. The discovery sets the stage for developing new treatments for fragile X syndrome.
Date: 03/11/08
Mouse Behavior Workshop Focuses on the Future of Autism Research
Organized and sponsored by Autism Speaks, the Mouse Behavior Workshop was held on February 6, in Baltimore, MD. Specialists in mouse behavior convened to identify current needs in the field, including development of new behavioral tasks analogous to the defining behavioral features of autism, especially those in the core domains of sociability, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Advancing basic research into the neurobiology of social behaviors was another topic of discussion. Perhaps most importantly, the meeting underscored the need for researchers to look toward the translational application of mouse models into the development of autism treatments.
Date: 03/07/08
Neurofeedback Training Elicits Behavioral Improvements in Individuals with ASD
Several studies have found that mirror neuron activity in individuals with ASD differs from typically developing individuals. Autism Speaks grantee Jaime A. Pineda, Ph.D., and his colleagues at the University of California San Diego tested the hypotheses that a type of intervention known as neurofeedback training (NFT) can be used to normalize mirror neuron activity, and that such normalization will lead to improvements in behavior, especially in imitation. Results showed that after NFT, mirror neuron activity in children with ASD progressed towards normal. Additionally, the neurofeedback-trained children with ASD showed improvements in sustained attention and some general indices of behavior.
Date: 02/29/08
Wellcome Trust, Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks UK hold Joint Autism Symposium
The Wellcome Trust, based in the United Kindom, is the world's second largest medical research charity, funding $1 billion in research annually. Its mission is to improve human and animal health. Yet, despite its wealth, the Wellcome Trust has not historically funded much autism research. In an effort to change this, Autism Speaks (AS) and its partner organization, AS United Kingdom (AS UK), conducted a joint workshop with the Wellcome Trust to highlight the many recent advances in the biology of autism.
Date 02/21/08
"Hyperscanning" Study Reveals Impaired Sense of Self in Autism
Scientists last week reported an exciting innovation for autism research in a study that scanned the brains of people with autism during social interactions. The study, funded in part by Autism Speaks, revealed a reduced brain signal in people with autism that might be related to their sense of self. The study appeared as the cover article in the high-profile journal Neuron, and heralds a new tool for understanding why individuals with autism have difficulty in social interactions.
Date: 02/14/08
Melatonin Shows Promise for Improving Sleep Problems in Children with Autism
A new study published in the Journal of Child Neurology has found that melatonin supplements are well-tolerated and show promise for improving sleep in children with autism. Beth Malow, M.D., M.S., senior author of the study and member of Autism Speaks' Autism Treatment Network, says the potential for improved sleep and daytime behavior could have a big impact on families.
Date: 02/07/08
"Top Ten" List of Events in Autism Research Released
To remind ourselves of our progress and focus us on the many positive developments in autism, the Autism Speaks' Scientific Advisory Council has released a list of the Top Ten Autism Research Events of 2007. This list spotlights some of the most significant happenings in the world of autism research in 2007 - the events that now lead us into 2008.
Date: 02/01/08
New Site Added for Clinical Trials Network Study
The Clinical Trials Network is pleased to announce the addition of a new participating center for its on-going trial, the Study of Fluoxetine in Autism (SOFIA): the Institute for Behavioral Medicine in Smyrna, GA. The study will include more than 100 children and adolescents (ages 5-17) with autism to confirm the effectiveness of Neuropharm's custom-designed product NPL-2008, a proprietary preparation of fluoxetine, in reducing certain core symptoms of autism.
Date: 02/01/08
Accelerated Head Growth Can Help Predict Autism
Two new studies out of the University of Washington's Autism Center, co-authored by Autism Speaks' Chief Science Officer Geraldine Dawson, say accelerated head growth can help pediatricians predict autism before behavioral symptoms start. According to the research, children later diagnosed with autism have normal-size heads at birth, but show accelerated head growth between six and nine months of age – a period which precedes the onset of many behaviors that enable physicians to diagnose the developmental disorder.
Date: 01/31/08
Autism Speaks' ITA Initiative Announces New Research Grants
Autism Speaks' Innovative Technology for Autism (ITA) Initiative is pleased to announce that it has awarded more than $400,000 in new research grants to develop innovative assistive, educational, therapeutic and diagnostic technologies for persons with autism.
Date: 01/25/08
ATN Meeting Kicks Off Newly Expanded Network
The Autism Treatment Network held its kick-off meeting for the newly expanded treatment network January 12-13 in Santa Monica, Calif. The meeting was an unprecedented gathering of medical autism experts, with 112 attendees, including six representatives from each of the participating ATN sites. The major objectives of the meeting were to develop standards of medical care for children with autism, and to determine how to make this care available across various sites in the United States and Canada.
Date: 01/24/08
Maternal Autoantibodies May Increase Autism Risk
A new study has found that women with certain antibodies in their blood may be at an increased risk for having children with autism. Researchers hypothesize that these antibodies may disrupt fetal brain development in utero by mistakenly targeting fetal brain tissue. The study, led by Judy Van de Water, Ph.D., at the University of California at Davis, was published in the journal Neurotoxicology.
Date: 01/17/08
Using the AGRE Resource, Study Finds Chromosome 16 Microdeletion Strongly Associated with Autism
Strong and compelling evidence that a region on chromosome 16 appears to play an important role in susceptibility for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) was reported by The Autism Consortium, an innovative research, clinical and family collaboration dedicated to radically accelerating research and enhancing clinical care for ASDs. Genetic data from Autism Speaks' AGRE collection was instrumental in the Consortium's research findings, which were published in the January 9 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Date: 01/11/08
Symposium Held to Examine Novel Therapies for Autism
On December 14, Autism Speaks, together with the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP), held a symposium to review the “Development of Novel Neuropharmacological Therapeutics for Autism.” More than 80 scientists in the field explored the opportunities and barriers to progress in the field. Autism Speaks' Treatment Committee will consult the information presented at this symposium in its efforts to help advance autism research.
Date: 01/10/08
Study Details Atomic Structure of Proteins Altered in Autism
A new study by an international group of scientists describes a protein complex that is affected by genetic mutations implicated in autism spectrum disorders. The research team, including scientists from the University of California, San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, details the neuroligin family of proteins, which are encoded by genes known to be mutated in certain patients with autism. These affected neuroligin proteins alter synaptic neurotransmission, and may account for impairments in development, social interaction and communication. This study was funded in part by Cure Autism Now, and will be published in the December 20 issue of Neuron.
Date: 12/20/07
Scientists Report Success Treating Symptoms of Fragile X
A new study released today by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology adds evidence that therapeutics targeting a particular signaling protein may be a viable strategy for treating symptoms of Fragile X. The fact that scientists are learning how to alter brain circuits relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders can rapidly enhance our understanding of autism as well.
Date: 12/17/07
24th Annual International Neurotoxicology Meeting Focuses on Oxidative Stress
The 24th Annual International Neurotoxicology Conference was held in San Antonio on November 10-14, with Autism Speaks helping to sponsor the event. This year's theme was entitled "Environmental Etiologies of Neurological Disorders." On the final day of the conference, a symposium entitled "Oxidative Stress in Autism - Cause or Consequence?" drew over 60 participants. The session chair, Isaac Pessah, Ph.D. from the University of California at Davis, lead the plenary session and presented data from his CAN/Autism Speaks Environmental Innovator Award.
Date: 12/06/07
Autism Speaks to Host Symposium on the Development of Novel Neuropharmacological Therapeutics for Autism
Autism Speaks today announced that it will host a research symposium on the Development of Novel Neuropharmacological Therapeutics for Autism on December 14, 2007, as a satellite symposium of the 46th annual meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) in Boca Raton, Fla. The symposium is associated with the main ACNP annual meeting (December 9-13).
Date: 12/03/07
Study Finds Fever May Lead to Improved Behavior in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Can fever lessen symptoms of autism? A new study in Pediatrics reports that improvements include increases in alertness, decreases in self-stimulatory behavior, and for some, more coherent language. The new study marks the first attempt to systematically document such a "fever effect" in children with autism.
Date: 12/03/07
Society for Neuroscience Conference Spotlights Progress in Autism Research
Each year scientists interested in the workings of the brain gather at the Society for Neuroscience conference. In early November, the city of San Diego welcomed more than 31,000 attendees from around the globe for the conference. Just a few years ago, research presentations on autism were quite sparse. An impressive trend has taken place since then, with the 2007 conference showcasing more than 200 Autism Spectrum Disorder presentations.
Date: 11/29/07
Autism Tissue Program Scientists Present Exciting Research Findings at the 2007 Society for Neuroscience Conference
At the SfN conference this month, with over 31,000 neuroscience attendees, rows and rows of posters were displayed with compelling research findings on cell biology, the impact of brain chemicals, genetics, and the immune system which all contribute to our understanding of the causes of autism and pave the way to treatment interventions. The findings submitted here are samples of the important progress made in autism brain tissue research.
Date: 11/29/07
New Sites for CTN Study Announced
The Clinical Trials Network is pleased to announce the addition of four new participating centers for its on-going trial, the Study of Fluoxetine in Autism (SOFIA). The study will include more than 100 children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to confirm the effectiveness of Neuropharm's custom-designed product NPL-2008, a proprietary preparation of fluoxetine, in reducing certain core symptoms of ASD.
Date: 11/27/07
IAN Research Findings: Children with ASDs Have Different Weight, Height Profile Than Typical Peers
New data from the Interactive Autism Network (IAN), a project collecting information online from families of children with ASDs all over the United States, show that children with ASDs tend to be taller than expected for their age, and heavier than expected for their height, compared to typical peers.
Date: 11/16/07
ATP Investigators Undertake Comprehensive Brain Tissue Analysis
The Autism Tissue Program's Tissue Advisory Board recently approved five new projects. Principal Investigators for these studies will undertake the most comprehensive analysis of brain tissue to date. These studies highlight the use of donated brain tissue to explore new and provocative hypotheses about the causes of autism and shape thinking about treatment strategies.
Date: 11/15/07
Progress in Understanding "Model" Syndromes May Lead to Breakthroughs in Understanding Autism
Autism is a feature of multiple developmental disorders. As devastating as this unfortunate commonality is, it can be used to the advantage of autism researchers and the many families who desperately want a treatment for their childrens' autism. This is why Autism Speaks continues to fund studies in "model" disorders such as Fragile X and Rett syndrome.
Date: 11/08/07
Autism Speaks Funded Study Utilizes Novel Method to Study Sex Differences
Previous research has mapped out the location, connections, and wiring of the entire nervous system of the C. elegans roundworm, thus providing a unique model to better understand the neurobiological basis of sex-differences in the developing nervous system. In this study, University of Rochester researchers Douglas Portman, Ph.D., and Kyung-Hwa Lee, have focused on sensory stimuli, as children with autism often are hypersensitive to sensory overload.
Date: 11/07/07
Studies on Prenatal Development, Immune System in Autism Included in Special Issue of Biological Psychiatry
The November 1 issue of Biological Psychiatry contains seven autism-related articles, along with a commentary by Autism Speaks Scientific Advisory Committee member Daniel Geschwind, M.D., Ph.D. Two of these articles tentatively identify immunological cell adhesion molecules and prenatal body size, as measured by ultrasound, as biological markers for autism. Identifying such markers is crucial for detecting autism earlier, before behavioral signs are evident.
Date: 11/01/07
NIH Funds New Program to Investigate Causes and Treatment of Autism
The National Institutes of Health will intensify its efforts to find the causes of and identify new treatments for autism through a new research program - The Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE).
Date: 10/30/07
The American Academy of Pediatrics Urges Early Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Two new reports from the American Academy of Pediatrics will help pediatricians recognize autism spectrum disorders earlier and guide families to effective interventions.
Date: 10/29/07
Prepublication of IOM Autism Workshop Proceedings Available Online
A prepublication copy of the workshop proceedings of the IOM's “Autism and the Environment: Challenges and Opportunities for Research”, held on April 18-19, 2007, is now available online.
Date: 10/26/07
Autism Consortium Releases Data on Genes Involved in Autism to Researchers Worldwide
The Autism Consortium, a group of researchers, clinicians and families dedicated to accelerating research and enhancing clinical care for autism, announced that it has completed the first genome scan for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) through its Autism Gene Discovery Project and has released the reference data set to a database that autism researchers around the world can use.
Date: 10/25/07
New Research May Reveal Previously Undetected Autism Subgroup
New research by Antonio Persico, M.D. and a team of international scientists has found that a large body size—in addition to a large head—is associated with autism. They also found that this group of individuals had a higher incidence of immune disorders. This research takes an important step toward defining subtypes within the autism spectrum, which will help pinpoint the cause of and appropriate treatments for autism.
Date: 10/18/07
Autism Tissue Program Highlighted in October Issue of Brain Pathology
The October issue of Brain Pathology highlights the resources available to researchers, including the Autism Tissue Program, in understanding and ameliorating autism. The publication is intended to recruit scientists with crucial areas of expertise and perspectives in the fields of pathology and neurobiology to the research effort.
Date: 10/10/07
Key Immune System Mediator of Abnormal Brain Development Identified
Using pregnant mice as a model system, researchers at the California Institute of Technology have identified interleukin-6 as an immune system signaling molecule that, when present in high doses during pregnancy, may lead to abnormal brain development and neurobehavioral disorders such as autism in the offspring.
Date: 10/04/07
New NIH Grant Will Allow USC-Led Research Team to Expand Autism Speaks' AGRE Program
$8.4 million in NIH funding will double the number of families in the AGRE database and expand the data beyond genetic and clinical profiles to include phenomics, the systematic study of the outward physical and behavioral characteristics of autism.
Date: 10/03/07
To help you keep up on their efforts, we'll provide a regular digest of the latest scientific and medical research on autism. Because many are reprinted from scientific journals, they may contain technical language. Also note that due to copyright issues, abstracts may link you to sites where the full text of the article is available for a fee.
Remember to check back regularly to find updates on the latest autism research.
Autism Speaks Announces More than $1.2 Million in Fellowship Grants
Autism Speaks has announced funding for seventeen new Pre-Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Fellowships – two-year grants awarded to support the efforts of graduate student and postdoctoral researchers working in fields related to autism. The fellowships will not only fund a diverse group of exciting research projects on the etiology, biology, diagnosis and treatment of autism, but, most importantly, will encourage the development of promising young scientists who wish to devote their careers to autism research.
Date: 09/25/08
Autism Speaks Announces New International Research Collaboration
Autism Speaks, the Rett Syndrome Research Trust and the Medical Research Council, UK Partner to Research the Reversibility of Rett Syndrome.
Date: 09/25/08
Rare Genetic Disorder Gives Clues to Autism, Epilepsy, Mental Retardation
A rare genetic disorder called tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is yielding insight into a possible cause of some neurodevelopmental disorders: structural abnormalities in neurons, or brain cells. Researchers in the F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center at Children's Hospital Boston, led by Mustafa Sahin, M.D., Ph.D., and Xi He, Ph.D., also found that normal neuronal structure can potentially be restored.
Date: 09/24/08
Autism Speaks Announces $3.6M in Grants Focusing on Environmental Factors and Autism
Autism Speaks has awarded $3.6 million over the next three years to 12 new studies focusing on environmental factors in autism. In doing so, Autism Speaks furthers its commitment to funding innovative projects on potential environmental contributions to autism spectrum disorders. The projects range in approach and scope, but include areas of toxicology, immunology, epigenetics, and animal models.
Date: 09/18/08
NIMH Statement on Chelation Trial for Autism Spectrum Disorders
The protocol for a proposed National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) chelation study for autism that has been discussed for the past two years for human subjects' protections has been discontinued. NIMH has decided that resources are better directed at this time to testing other potential therapies for autism spectrum disorders, and is not pursuing the additional review required to begin the study.
Date: 09/17/08
Autism Treatment Network Receives $12 Million Grant from Health Resources and Services Administration
Autism Speaks' Autism Treatment Network (ATN) has received a three-year, $12 million grant to serve as an Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P). The network grant was part of four initiatives developed by the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau under the Combating Autism Act Initiative. This multi-institutional grant, led by the ATN Clinical Coordinating Center at MassGeneral Hospital for Children will support research projects on interventions that have a direct impact on improving the physical health and well-being of children and adolescents with autism. The grant will also expand the ATN's on-going efforts to develop clinical guidelines supported by rigorous research evidence.
Date: 09/12/08
Meeting Addresses Pediatric Neurotransmitter Disease and Autism Commonalities
Pediatric Neurotransmitter Disease (PND) represents a collection of rare diseases in children related to abnormalities in the synthesis and breakdown of the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and GABA. As recent awareness of PNDs has increased, so has the recognition of rare overlaps with autism in certain individuals. Autism Speaks sent representatives to the Pediatric Neurotransmitter Disease Association meeting in Washington D.C. in July, joining with clinicians, basic scientists and families affected by PNDs to learn more about these rare disorders. Autism Speaks intends to continue to collaborate and benefit from the improved perspectives that come from exploring common ground with associated fields of research and treatment.
Date: 09/12/08
NIH to fund Research to Advance Vaccine Safety
The NIH has issued a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) request for grant applications entitled Research to Advance Vaccine Safety, designed to support research that will contribute to the overall understanding of vaccine safety. This R01 research opportunity invites studies that address scientific areas potentially relevant to vaccine safety.
Date: 09/03/08
Study Shows No Connection Between Autism and Persistence of MMR Virus RNA
A study published today found that measles virus RNA was no more likely to be present in the bowel tissue of children with autism than that of typically developing children. Furthermore, GI symptom and autism onset were found to be unrelated to MMR vaccine timing. These findings refute an earlier report published in 1998 that indicated autism is associated with the measles virus vaccine.
Date: 09/03/08
New Locations for Clinical Trials Network Study Announced
Autism Speaks' Clinical Trials Network announces new locations in Florida and New Jersey for its on-going trial, the Study of Fluoxetine in Autism (SOFIA). The study will include more than 100 children and adolescents with autistic disorder to evaluate the effectiveness of a "melt-in-the-mouth" preparation of fluoxetine, in reducing certain core symptoms of autism.
Date: 08/22/08
Innovative Technology Helps to Advance Research and Treatment of Autism
The goal of Autism Speaks' Innovative Technology for Autism (ITA) initiative is to facilitate the development of new technology to assist individuals with autism, clinicians and behavioral support staff, as well as the variety of researchers in the clinical, education and technology related fields. June proved to be a busy month for the ITA, starting with the publication of a journal article, penned by program Vice-Chair Matthew S. Goodwin, Ph.D., which highlights the many technologies emerging in this exciting field. Additionally, ITA committee members attended the Autism Speaks co-sponsored 7th International Conference on Interaction Design for Children (IDC). The goal of the conference, held June 11-13, was to better understand children's needs and how to design specifically for them and their developmental requirements.
Date: 08/08/08
Autism Speaks Awards More than $4.5 Million in Basic and Clinical Grants
Autism Speaks has awarded 24 new grants in the fields of basic and clinical research dedicated to autism. Two types of grants were awarded: two-year Pilot grants that explore newer, particularly innovative lines of research, and three-year Basic and Clinical grants that build on more established research. The funded projects take a variety of approaches toward revealing the underlying biology and causes of autism.
Date: 07/25/08
Study: Social Struggles in Autism Due to Disrupted Communication Networks in Brain
People with autism often struggle to pick up social cues in determining another person's intentions in a social interaction. New research from Carnegie Mellon University investigates the neural mechanisms that are responsible for such social difficulties in autism. The study is available on the Web site of the journal Social Neuroscience.
Date: 07/24/08
Study: Middle Eastern Families Yield Intriguing Clues to Autism
Researchers at Harvard University have discovered half a dozen new genes involved in autism that suggest the disorder strikes in a brain that can't properly form new connections. The study was published in the July 11 edition of the journal Science.
Date: 07/11/08
ATP Facilitates Study of Mitochondrial and Synaptic Dysfunction in Autism
The Autism Tissue Program (ATP) is a brain tissue donor program sponsored by Autism Speaks that provides brain tissue to researchers worldwide. Three recently published papers demonstrate the importance of this precious resource in understanding the impact of mitochondrial dysfunction in autism and the role of synapses in autism.
Date: 07/11/08
Experts Convene to Discuss Autism and Mitochondrial Disease
On June 29, a panel of 15 experts convened in Indianapolis to discuss the co-occurrence of mitochondrial disease and autism. The Hannah Poling case has brought this issue to the public and into focus as a priority for researchers and clinicians. An important outcome of this meeting was the initiation of a dialog between researchers in autism and mitochondrial disease, increasing future collaborative research in this area. The promise of further collaboration was encouraging to an audience comprised of scientists and advocates interested in seeing more research at the interface of these two complex disorders.
Date: 07/11/08
Autism Speaks Announces More than $3.8 Million in New Treatment Grants
As part of its commitment to establishing effective treatments for those affected by autism, Autism Speaks has announced more than $3.8 million in grant awards to investigate promising treatments over the next three years. Thirteen innovative grant proposals were selected, describing research into a variety of topics such as the evaluation of B12 injections, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, oxidative stress markers, sensory-based interventions, acupuncture and more. This research will help parents make informed choices for their family members at a time when treatment options for autism are far from standardized.
Date: 06/27/08
Drug Reverses Mental Retardation in Mice
Researchers at UCLA have discovered that an FDA-approved drug reverses the brain dysfunction inflicted by a genetic disease called tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Because half of TSC patients also suffer from autism, the findings offer new hope for addressing learning disorders due to autism. The findings were published by Nature Medicine in its June 22 online edition.
Date: 06/23/08
Autism Speaks Announces Request for Applications Focused on International Autism Epidemiology
Autism Speaks recently announced a new funding mechanism for international records-based epidemiology research and is currently requesting applications. The purpose of this request for applications (RFA) is to lay the groundwork for autism prevalence studies of outside of the U.S., using methodology similar to that used by the CDC from which the current U.S. prevalence estimate of 1 in 150 children was ascertained. International epidemiology studies such as these can help generate clues about the potential causes, both genetic and environmental, that occur with different frequency in different populations around the world.
Date: 06/13/08
International Collaboration to Raise Awareness in Latin America and Caribbean Countries
Autism Speaks in collaboration with the U.S. National Institutes of Health, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Carso Health Institute of Mexico recently announced the Pan American Autism Awareness and Training Initiative (PAAATI), an unprecedented international private-public partnership to address this challenge in the Americas. The purpose of PAAATI is to raise awareness, increase research expertise and enhance service delivery.
Date: 06/13/08
2008 IMFAR Shows Progress in All Areas of Autism Research
The seventh annual International Meeting for Autism Research recently concluded in London with more than 1150 researchers from around the world in attendance. The record number of attendees and the depth and breadth of the science presented signals that autism research is truly becoming global, with advances being made across the board. But most importantly, the science presented and discussed will help individuals and families who are living with autism by uncovering more effective means to diagnose, treat and determine the causes of autism.
Date: 05/30/08
IMFAR 2008 Brings Together Scientists to Report Latest Findings on Autism
Scientists from around the world convened in London for the annual International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) sharing their latest research information. The goal of those in attendance was to help individuals around the world living with autism, and their families, have a better quality of care and life.
Date: 05/19/08
Department of Defense Offers $6.4 Million in Autism Research Funding Opportunities (2008)
New funding opportunities are available for the Autism Spectrum Disorder from the Department of Defense Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Program. The overall goal of the Fiscal Year 2008 (FY08) ASDRP, is to improve the lives of individuals currently living with autism spectrum disorder.
Date: 05/09/08
Department of Defense Announces $5.9 Million in Autism Research Funding (2007)
The Department of Defense's Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Program (ASDRP) recently announced the proposals recommended for funding from its Fiscal Year 2007 grants totaling $5.9 million to aid research programs in three main categories: clinical partnership, idea development and concept.
Date: 05/09/08
Symposium Focuses on Role of Environment in Autism
On April 22, more than 200 participants convened at Vanderbilt University to discuss the role of the environment in increasing autism risk as well as its impact on the diversity of behavioral and medical symptoms in autism. Presenters included experts in the fields of toxicology, epidemiology, psychology, and molecular biology. Special emphasis was given to how epidemiological research has informed scientists about potential exposures and how they may interact with genetic risk factors. Also discussed were a variety of potential environmental factors and how exposure to them may produce symptoms of ASD. Full videos of the presentations are available on the Symposium website.
Date: 05/09/08
Face Processing Area of Brain Shows Anatomical Differences in Autism
A new publication in the journal Brain describes significant anatomical differences in a facial processing area of the brain in people with autism. As the basis for the study, Imke van Kooten, Ph.D., and an international team of researchers have diligently measured neuronal features in post mortem brain sections, demonstrating that patients with autism have significant reductions in the density, total number, and mean cell volume of neurons in the area known as the fusiform gyrus. The authors suggest that these reductions might contribute to the impaired face processing seen in autism which, in turn, may contribute to some of the social deficits of autism. Plans are underway for further study of additional cortical areas implicated in visual processing. This continued research will be part of a larger project supported by Autism Speaks' Autism Tissue Program, the Brain Atlas Project.
Date: 05/01/08
Special Journal Issue Explores Oxidative Stress in Autism
In 2007 the American Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (AJBB) issued a specific request for articles dedicated to the role of oxidative stress in autism. The resultant group of articles was published in a special issue this month, focused entirely on this hot topic in autism. Many of the studies selected for publication are funded by or utilize research resources made available by Autism Speaks. The collection of publications provides an important contribution to the body of literature on oxidative stress in autism spectrum disorders, and is available to the public on the AJBB web site.
Date: 04/25/08
Clinical Trials Network: Special FDA Designation Validates Need for Autism Clinical Trials
Neuropharm, a specialty pharmaceutical company, and sponsor of the CTN Study of Fluoxetine in Autism (SOFIA), has received "Fast Track" designation by the US Food and Drug Administration. This special designation is granted only in circumstances where a drug targets a serious unmet medical need, and affirms the urgent need for medicines that target autism. SOFIA is the CTN's first industry-sponsored trial, and will evaluate the efficacy of a new melt-in-the-mouth formulation of fluoxetine for the treatment of repetitive behaviors in autism.
Date: 04/18/08
Keystone Symposia Turns Its Attention to Autism
This past February, the Keystone Symposia, an organization dedicated to bringing together the world's top scientists from a variety of disciplines, turned its attention to autism by holding a conference in New Mexico. Speaking about the five day symposium, lecturer and Autism Speaks' Chief Scientific Officer Geri Dawson, Ph.D., enthused about the many non-autism scientists eager to learn about autism and then share the knowledge within their own respective fields. Also in attendance were many young scientists wanting to direct their careers toward the study of autism, underscoring the importance of such gatherings for the future of autism research.
Date: 04/10/08
Autism Speaks Spearheads Collaborative Grant with the Allen Institute for Brain Science and Leading Autism Expert to Analyze Frontal Lobe Microstructure in Autism
Autism Speaks will join forces with the Allen Institute for Brain Science on a research grant that facilitates examination of molecular markers of genetic activity in the brain of patients with autism. The study will provide insight into the biological features that underlie autism, and will build on previous discoveries that abnormal overgrowth of particular brain regions likely triggers autistic behavior in infants. Says Eric Courchesne, Ph.D., head of the collaboration and director of UC San Diego's Autism Center of Excellence, "Once we pinpoint the specific brain cells and genes involved in the abnormal growth, it will be possible to see more clearly what is causing autism, which will more rapidly lead to novel biomedical interventions to improve the outcome for each child."
Date: 04/04/08
Autism Speaks Announces Pre and Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant RFA
Autism Speaks invites applications from young scientists interested in pursuing careers in autism research. The applicant investigator must be a qualified pre/postdoctoral student. The proposed research must be scientifically linked to autism and may be broadened to include training in a closely related contextual area of research. The deadline for applications is May 14, 2008.
Date: 03/31/08
New Research Opportunity in Autism and Related Disorders Announced
The National Institute of Mental Health has released two new Requests for Applications research into novel interventions for neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders.
Date: 03/31/08
Autism Speaks Announces Environmental Sciences RFA
Recent research in autism spectrum disorders suggests that both genetics and environmental factors are involved in the causes of autism. In some instances, this complex disorder may be the result of an interaction of many genes with an as-yet undefined scope of environmental influences. In order to facilitate research into this area, Autism Speaks has issued a "request for applications" or RFA to support scientific study into environmental factors, and gene and environment interactions, in autism. The first deadline for applications is June 2, 2008.
Date: 03/28/08
Neurochemistry Colloquium Investigates Metabolic Dysfunction in Autism
Organized by Autism Speaks grantee Ved Chauhan, Ph.D., a special colloquium in conjunction with the annual American Society for Neurochemistry conference was held on March 3. Five speakers presented their perspectives on the evidence for a metabolic component in autism to a large international audience. The goal of these presentations was to promote broader exploration in autism by investigators specializing in neurochemistry and related subjects, with emphasis on the importance of developing research to address the functional impact of metabolic changes, and of clinical practices to recognize the metabolic consequences of subtoxic environmental insults.
Date: 03/27/08
Advancing Clinical Practice Through Recognition of Autism Subtypes
Two recently published scientific articles underscore the remarkable heterogeneity of autism. This heterogeneity presents a challenge for clinicians in terms of diagnostic and treatment concerns. Comprehending and describing various subgroups of autism might be a way to advance the field of autism research and inch us closer to efficiently prescribed treatment strategies. As basic research advances our knowledge of autism, this knowledge needs to be translated into improved clinical practices – a goal facilitated by Autism Speaks programs such as the Autism Treatment Network (ATN) and the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE).
Date: 03/20/08
Gene for Brain Connections Linked with Autism
A gene that helps the brain make connections may underlie a significant number of autism cases, researchers in the United States reported on Tuesday.
Date: 03/19/08
INSAR Publishes Inaugural Issue of Autism Research Journal
The inaugural issue of Autism Research, a new journal published by the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR), is available online, and will be available in print in the next few weeks. Autism Research promises to bring fresh perspectives into the field because of its wider reach. By harnessing the expertise of scientists both new to the field and those from distant geographic locations, this journal offers a vehicle for communication and inspiration that can help transform the field.
Date: 03/13/08
Scientists Announce New Drosophila Drug Screen for Fragile X Syndrome
Scientists using a new drug screening method in Drosophila (fruit flies), have identified several drugs and small molecules that reverse the features of fragile X syndrome -- a frequent form of mental retardation and one of the leading known causes of autism. The discovery sets the stage for developing new treatments for fragile X syndrome.
Date: 03/11/08
Mouse Behavior Workshop Focuses on the Future of Autism Research
Organized and sponsored by Autism Speaks, the Mouse Behavior Workshop was held on February 6, in Baltimore, MD. Specialists in mouse behavior convened to identify current needs in the field, including development of new behavioral tasks analogous to the defining behavioral features of autism, especially those in the core domains of sociability, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Advancing basic research into the neurobiology of social behaviors was another topic of discussion. Perhaps most importantly, the meeting underscored the need for researchers to look toward the translational application of mouse models into the development of autism treatments.
Date: 03/07/08
Neurofeedback Training Elicits Behavioral Improvements in Individuals with ASD
Several studies have found that mirror neuron activity in individuals with ASD differs from typically developing individuals. Autism Speaks grantee Jaime A. Pineda, Ph.D., and his colleagues at the University of California San Diego tested the hypotheses that a type of intervention known as neurofeedback training (NFT) can be used to normalize mirror neuron activity, and that such normalization will lead to improvements in behavior, especially in imitation. Results showed that after NFT, mirror neuron activity in children with ASD progressed towards normal. Additionally, the neurofeedback-trained children with ASD showed improvements in sustained attention and some general indices of behavior.
Date: 02/29/08
Wellcome Trust, Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks UK hold Joint Autism Symposium
The Wellcome Trust, based in the United Kindom, is the world's second largest medical research charity, funding $1 billion in research annually. Its mission is to improve human and animal health. Yet, despite its wealth, the Wellcome Trust has not historically funded much autism research. In an effort to change this, Autism Speaks (AS) and its partner organization, AS United Kingdom (AS UK), conducted a joint workshop with the Wellcome Trust to highlight the many recent advances in the biology of autism.
Date 02/21/08
"Hyperscanning" Study Reveals Impaired Sense of Self in Autism
Scientists last week reported an exciting innovation for autism research in a study that scanned the brains of people with autism during social interactions. The study, funded in part by Autism Speaks, revealed a reduced brain signal in people with autism that might be related to their sense of self. The study appeared as the cover article in the high-profile journal Neuron, and heralds a new tool for understanding why individuals with autism have difficulty in social interactions.
Date: 02/14/08
Melatonin Shows Promise for Improving Sleep Problems in Children with Autism
A new study published in the Journal of Child Neurology has found that melatonin supplements are well-tolerated and show promise for improving sleep in children with autism. Beth Malow, M.D., M.S., senior author of the study and member of Autism Speaks' Autism Treatment Network, says the potential for improved sleep and daytime behavior could have a big impact on families.
Date: 02/07/08
"Top Ten" List of Events in Autism Research Released
To remind ourselves of our progress and focus us on the many positive developments in autism, the Autism Speaks' Scientific Advisory Council has released a list of the Top Ten Autism Research Events of 2007. This list spotlights some of the most significant happenings in the world of autism research in 2007 - the events that now lead us into 2008.
Date: 02/01/08
New Site Added for Clinical Trials Network Study
The Clinical Trials Network is pleased to announce the addition of a new participating center for its on-going trial, the Study of Fluoxetine in Autism (SOFIA): the Institute for Behavioral Medicine in Smyrna, GA. The study will include more than 100 children and adolescents (ages 5-17) with autism to confirm the effectiveness of Neuropharm's custom-designed product NPL-2008, a proprietary preparation of fluoxetine, in reducing certain core symptoms of autism.
Date: 02/01/08
Accelerated Head Growth Can Help Predict Autism
Two new studies out of the University of Washington's Autism Center, co-authored by Autism Speaks' Chief Science Officer Geraldine Dawson, say accelerated head growth can help pediatricians predict autism before behavioral symptoms start. According to the research, children later diagnosed with autism have normal-size heads at birth, but show accelerated head growth between six and nine months of age – a period which precedes the onset of many behaviors that enable physicians to diagnose the developmental disorder.
Date: 01/31/08
Autism Speaks' ITA Initiative Announces New Research Grants
Autism Speaks' Innovative Technology for Autism (ITA) Initiative is pleased to announce that it has awarded more than $400,000 in new research grants to develop innovative assistive, educational, therapeutic and diagnostic technologies for persons with autism.
Date: 01/25/08
ATN Meeting Kicks Off Newly Expanded Network
The Autism Treatment Network held its kick-off meeting for the newly expanded treatment network January 12-13 in Santa Monica, Calif. The meeting was an unprecedented gathering of medical autism experts, with 112 attendees, including six representatives from each of the participating ATN sites. The major objectives of the meeting were to develop standards of medical care for children with autism, and to determine how to make this care available across various sites in the United States and Canada.
Date: 01/24/08
Maternal Autoantibodies May Increase Autism Risk
A new study has found that women with certain antibodies in their blood may be at an increased risk for having children with autism. Researchers hypothesize that these antibodies may disrupt fetal brain development in utero by mistakenly targeting fetal brain tissue. The study, led by Judy Van de Water, Ph.D., at the University of California at Davis, was published in the journal Neurotoxicology.
Date: 01/17/08
Using the AGRE Resource, Study Finds Chromosome 16 Microdeletion Strongly Associated with Autism
Strong and compelling evidence that a region on chromosome 16 appears to play an important role in susceptibility for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) was reported by The Autism Consortium, an innovative research, clinical and family collaboration dedicated to radically accelerating research and enhancing clinical care for ASDs. Genetic data from Autism Speaks' AGRE collection was instrumental in the Consortium's research findings, which were published in the January 9 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Date: 01/11/08
Symposium Held to Examine Novel Therapies for Autism
On December 14, Autism Speaks, together with the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP), held a symposium to review the “Development of Novel Neuropharmacological Therapeutics for Autism.” More than 80 scientists in the field explored the opportunities and barriers to progress in the field. Autism Speaks' Treatment Committee will consult the information presented at this symposium in its efforts to help advance autism research.
Date: 01/10/08
Study Details Atomic Structure of Proteins Altered in Autism
A new study by an international group of scientists describes a protein complex that is affected by genetic mutations implicated in autism spectrum disorders. The research team, including scientists from the University of California, San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, details the neuroligin family of proteins, which are encoded by genes known to be mutated in certain patients with autism. These affected neuroligin proteins alter synaptic neurotransmission, and may account for impairments in development, social interaction and communication. This study was funded in part by Cure Autism Now, and will be published in the December 20 issue of Neuron.
Date: 12/20/07
Scientists Report Success Treating Symptoms of Fragile X
A new study released today by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology adds evidence that therapeutics targeting a particular signaling protein may be a viable strategy for treating symptoms of Fragile X. The fact that scientists are learning how to alter brain circuits relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders can rapidly enhance our understanding of autism as well.
Date: 12/17/07
24th Annual International Neurotoxicology Meeting Focuses on Oxidative Stress
The 24th Annual International Neurotoxicology Conference was held in San Antonio on November 10-14, with Autism Speaks helping to sponsor the event. This year's theme was entitled "Environmental Etiologies of Neurological Disorders." On the final day of the conference, a symposium entitled "Oxidative Stress in Autism - Cause or Consequence?" drew over 60 participants. The session chair, Isaac Pessah, Ph.D. from the University of California at Davis, lead the plenary session and presented data from his CAN/Autism Speaks Environmental Innovator Award.
Date: 12/06/07
Autism Speaks to Host Symposium on the Development of Novel Neuropharmacological Therapeutics for Autism
Autism Speaks today announced that it will host a research symposium on the Development of Novel Neuropharmacological Therapeutics for Autism on December 14, 2007, as a satellite symposium of the 46th annual meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) in Boca Raton, Fla. The symposium is associated with the main ACNP annual meeting (December 9-13).
Date: 12/03/07
Study Finds Fever May Lead to Improved Behavior in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Can fever lessen symptoms of autism? A new study in Pediatrics reports that improvements include increases in alertness, decreases in self-stimulatory behavior, and for some, more coherent language. The new study marks the first attempt to systematically document such a "fever effect" in children with autism.
Date: 12/03/07
Society for Neuroscience Conference Spotlights Progress in Autism Research
Each year scientists interested in the workings of the brain gather at the Society for Neuroscience conference. In early November, the city of San Diego welcomed more than 31,000 attendees from around the globe for the conference. Just a few years ago, research presentations on autism were quite sparse. An impressive trend has taken place since then, with the 2007 conference showcasing more than 200 Autism Spectrum Disorder presentations.
Date: 11/29/07
Autism Tissue Program Scientists Present Exciting Research Findings at the 2007 Society for Neuroscience Conference
At the SfN conference this month, with over 31,000 neuroscience attendees, rows and rows of posters were displayed with compelling research findings on cell biology, the impact of brain chemicals, genetics, and the immune system which all contribute to our understanding of the causes of autism and pave the way to treatment interventions. The findings submitted here are samples of the important progress made in autism brain tissue research.
Date: 11/29/07
New Sites for CTN Study Announced
The Clinical Trials Network is pleased to announce the addition of four new participating centers for its on-going trial, the Study of Fluoxetine in Autism (SOFIA). The study will include more than 100 children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to confirm the effectiveness of Neuropharm's custom-designed product NPL-2008, a proprietary preparation of fluoxetine, in reducing certain core symptoms of ASD.
Date: 11/27/07
IAN Research Findings: Children with ASDs Have Different Weight, Height Profile Than Typical Peers
New data from the Interactive Autism Network (IAN), a project collecting information online from families of children with ASDs all over the United States, show that children with ASDs tend to be taller than expected for their age, and heavier than expected for their height, compared to typical peers.
Date: 11/16/07
ATP Investigators Undertake Comprehensive Brain Tissue Analysis
The Autism Tissue Program's Tissue Advisory Board recently approved five new projects. Principal Investigators for these studies will undertake the most comprehensive analysis of brain tissue to date. These studies highlight the use of donated brain tissue to explore new and provocative hypotheses about the causes of autism and shape thinking about treatment strategies.
Date: 11/15/07
Progress in Understanding "Model" Syndromes May Lead to Breakthroughs in Understanding Autism
Autism is a feature of multiple developmental disorders. As devastating as this unfortunate commonality is, it can be used to the advantage of autism researchers and the many families who desperately want a treatment for their childrens' autism. This is why Autism Speaks continues to fund studies in "model" disorders such as Fragile X and Rett syndrome.
Date: 11/08/07
Autism Speaks Funded Study Utilizes Novel Method to Study Sex Differences
Previous research has mapped out the location, connections, and wiring of the entire nervous system of the C. elegans roundworm, thus providing a unique model to better understand the neurobiological basis of sex-differences in the developing nervous system. In this study, University of Rochester researchers Douglas Portman, Ph.D., and Kyung-Hwa Lee, have focused on sensory stimuli, as children with autism often are hypersensitive to sensory overload.
Date: 11/07/07
Studies on Prenatal Development, Immune System in Autism Included in Special Issue of Biological Psychiatry
The November 1 issue of Biological Psychiatry contains seven autism-related articles, along with a commentary by Autism Speaks Scientific Advisory Committee member Daniel Geschwind, M.D., Ph.D. Two of these articles tentatively identify immunological cell adhesion molecules and prenatal body size, as measured by ultrasound, as biological markers for autism. Identifying such markers is crucial for detecting autism earlier, before behavioral signs are evident.
Date: 11/01/07
NIH Funds New Program to Investigate Causes and Treatment of Autism
The National Institutes of Health will intensify its efforts to find the causes of and identify new treatments for autism through a new research program - The Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE).
Date: 10/30/07
The American Academy of Pediatrics Urges Early Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Two new reports from the American Academy of Pediatrics will help pediatricians recognize autism spectrum disorders earlier and guide families to effective interventions.
Date: 10/29/07
Prepublication of IOM Autism Workshop Proceedings Available Online
A prepublication copy of the workshop proceedings of the IOM's “Autism and the Environment: Challenges and Opportunities for Research”, held on April 18-19, 2007, is now available online.
Date: 10/26/07
Autism Consortium Releases Data on Genes Involved in Autism to Researchers Worldwide
The Autism Consortium, a group of researchers, clinicians and families dedicated to accelerating research and enhancing clinical care for autism, announced that it has completed the first genome scan for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) through its Autism Gene Discovery Project and has released the reference data set to a database that autism researchers around the world can use.
Date: 10/25/07
New Research May Reveal Previously Undetected Autism Subgroup
New research by Antonio Persico, M.D. and a team of international scientists has found that a large body size—in addition to a large head—is associated with autism. They also found that this group of individuals had a higher incidence of immune disorders. This research takes an important step toward defining subtypes within the autism spectrum, which will help pinpoint the cause of and appropriate treatments for autism.
Date: 10/18/07
Autism Tissue Program Highlighted in October Issue of Brain Pathology
The October issue of Brain Pathology highlights the resources available to researchers, including the Autism Tissue Program, in understanding and ameliorating autism. The publication is intended to recruit scientists with crucial areas of expertise and perspectives in the fields of pathology and neurobiology to the research effort.
Date: 10/10/07
Key Immune System Mediator of Abnormal Brain Development Identified
Using pregnant mice as a model system, researchers at the California Institute of Technology have identified interleukin-6 as an immune system signaling molecule that, when present in high doses during pregnancy, may lead to abnormal brain development and neurobehavioral disorders such as autism in the offspring.
Date: 10/04/07
New NIH Grant Will Allow USC-Led Research Team to Expand Autism Speaks' AGRE Program
$8.4 million in NIH funding will double the number of families in the AGRE database and expand the data beyond genetic and clinical profiles to include phenomics, the systematic study of the outward physical and behavioral characteristics of autism.
Date: 10/03/07
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