New Study to Identify Genetic and Environmental Factors in Autism

A new research study, funded by the NIH and Autism Speaks, is beginning aimed at investigating genetic and environmental factors linked to autism.

This is a longitudinal study that will follow the new pregnancies of women who already have a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (including:autism, aspergers and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified) through the new child’s 3rd birthday. It is a longitudinal epidemiological study which “seeks to learn about the causes of Autism Spectrum Disorders in a population of families that are at increased risk of having a child with autism”. They are basing the study out of four sites and they are still recruiting participants who live near the research sites and fit the qualifications:

1) Southeast Pennsylvania – Drexel University and the Center for Autism Research
2) Northeast Maryland – Johns Hopkins University and the Kennedy Kreiger Institute
3) Northern California – UC Davis – University of California, Davis, and the M.I.N.D. Institute
4) Northern California – Kaiser Permanente – Kaiser Permanente Division of Research

Earli Study Website

Research studies such as this one are very important to the autism community because they will hopefully elucidate genetic and environmental factors linked to autism. If you have a child with autism, are pregnant (or plan to become pregnant) and live near one of the research sites you may want to consider participating in this study.