Autism

Autism is a brain development disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. The autism spectrum disorders (ASD) also include the related conditions Asperger syndrome and PDD-NOS, which have fewer signs and symptoms. Autism has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are complex and it is unclear whether ASD is explained more by multigene interactions or by rare mutations. In rare cases, autism is strongly associated with agents that cause birth defects. Controversies surround other proposed environmental causes, such as heavy metals, pesticides or childhood vaccines; the vaccine hypotheses are biologically implausible and lack any convincing scientific evidence. The prevalence of ASD is about 6 per 1,000 people, with about four times as many males as females. The number of people known to have autism has increased dramatically since the 1980s, partly due to changes in diagnostic practice; the question of whether actual prevalence has increased is unresolved. Autism affects many parts of the brain; how this occurs is not understood. Parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their child's life. Although early behavioral or cognitive intervention can help children gain self-care, social, and communication skills, there is no known cure. Not many children with autism live independently after reaching adulthood, though some become successful, and an autistic culture has developed, with some seeking a cure and others believing autism should be tolerated as a difference and not treated as a disorder.

News

News

CART Infant Siblings study

Review and Approval
IRB Flyer: 
application/pdf iconIS approved flyer Dec2011 exp12.8.12.pdf
Renewal Date: 
2012, December 8

UCLA Autism Research Participation Opportunities

Current Opportunities to Participate in Autism Research at UCLA

One of the fundamental goals of the UCLA Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART) is to provide a strong, collaborative environment for both basic and applied autism research. The UCLA CART fosters integration of the clinical, imaging, genetic, and basic science research into autism for which UCLA is renowned. Scientists at the UCLA CART include leading experts in autism genetics, brain imaging, psychophysiology, psychopharmacology, developmental psychology, clinical assessment, intervention and epidemiology.
CART was established with an National Institutes of Health (NIH) STAART Center grant in 2003 and became an NIH Autism Center of Excellence (ACE) Center in 2007 and an ACE Network in 2008. Current ACE research projects, along with other CART and affiliated projects, are listed below. CART also awards pilot grant funds.

Dr. Geschwind Elected to the Institute of Medicine

Two faculty members in the David Geffen School of Medicine – Daniel H. Geschwind, M.D., Ph.D., and Barbara Vickrey, M.D., M.P.H. – have been elected to membership in the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences. Membership in the Institute of Medicine is one of the highest honors conferred in the Health Sciences in the U.S. and internationally.

Dr. Geschwind is the Gordon and Virginia MacDonald Distinguished Professor, departments of neurology, psychiatry and human genetics and director, program in neurogenetics and Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Semel Institute. His studies include the development of novel methods as well as applications to study the normal brain and its disorders using advanced genetic techniques. He has evaluated the genetic aspects of normal language and disorders that affect it such as autism, and has also studied degenerative disorders of the brain such as dementias.

UCLA geneticists report promising method for the treatment of autism

Media Article Link: 
http://www.examiner.com/health-in-los-angeles/ucla-geneticists-report-promising-...

Research to develop a mouse model for autism and test new therapies that may hold benefits for human patients was covered Oct. 3 by Ivanhoe News, Oct. 2 by Noticias de la Ciencia y la Tecnología, Sept. 30 by a Nature Medicine blog and Med Page Today, Fox News and My Health Daily, and Sept.

'Autistic' mice created – and treated

Media Article Link: 
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn20984-autistic-mice-created--and-treated.h...

New Scientist and MyHealthNewsDaily.com reported Sept. 29; Medscape Today reported Sept. 26; and PsychCentral reported Sept. 25 on a Neuron study by Dr. Daniel Geschwind discovering that a key signaling pathway plays an important role in a common form of early-onset dementia, and may offer a potential target for treatment.