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Research Centers
University of California at Davis Center for the Study of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism
University of California - Davis
The central goal of the Center is to investigate environmental risk factors contributing to the incidence and severity of childhood autism.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by deficiencies of social reciprocity and communication, and by repetitive behavior. The majority of cases seem likely to arise from a -multiplicity of yet unidentified genetic and environmental factors. Surveys in California have indicated an apparent 210% increase in the cases of profound autism in children diagnosed over the last 10 years. Recent estimates indicate the frequency of mild to severe autism may be as high as 1:150 (Lord et al 2000). Thus there is growing concern from both parents and health professionals that prenatal and postnatal exposure to xenobiotic (e.g. mercurials, halogenated aromatics, and pesticides) and biotic (e.g. vaccine antigens) factors may act synergistically with unidentified susceptibility-genetic factors to produce autistic spectrum disorders.
To understand how the interaction of susceptibility genes with exposure to "environmental" chemicals may increase the risk and severity of autism and to identify which combination of chemical exposures confer the greatest threat, we propose to establish an interdisciplinary Center that addresses this complex problem at several levels. Project I proposes the first case-controlled epidemiological study of environmental factors in the etiology of autism. Tissue samples and exhaustive information will be collected from geographically distinct areas of California. Project two proposes to identify for the first time how known neurotoxicants of concern to children''s health influence the development of social behavior and mediating brain regions such as the amygdala. Project III integrates elements of Projects I and 11 in order to examine molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders associated with human autism and animal models of autism. The three research projects are integrated within a center framework that provides extensive facility core capabilities in xenobiotic/lipid analysis (Core 1), cell activation biomarkers (Core 11), and molecular biomarkers (Core III). Our ultimate goal is to understand common patterns of dysfunction in autism and elucidate mechanisms by which chemicals known to be toxic to the nervous system contribute to abnormal development of social behavior in children so that rational strategies for treatment and prevention can be undertaken.
Center Publications:
| Views: | All publications | Selected publication types | Journal articles | Publications submitted after final report |
| Identifier | Abstract | Principal Investigator | Annual/ Final Reports | Pubs Count | Institution | Grant Representative | Grant Amount | Project Period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
R829388 Centers - Main center abstract - CECEHDPR - University of California at Davis Center for the Study of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism |
Center for the Study of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism |
Pessah, Isaac N. - Principal Investigators listed are sub-PIs determined by the center. |
2006
|
Total Pubs:
140 Journals: 137 Books: 1 |
University of California - Davis |
Saint, Chris |
$7,325,232 |
November 2001 - October 2006 |
| 2 |
R829388C001 Centers - This is a subproject of the CECEHDPR - University of California at Davis Center for the Study of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism |
Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Analytic Biomakers (xenobiotic) Core |
Hammock, Bruce German, Bruce Lango, Jozsef Watkins, Steve Dettmer, Katja Green, Peter - Principal Investigators listed are sub-PIs determined by the center. |
2002
|
Total Pubs:
20 Journals: 18 Books: 1 |
University of California - Davis |
EPA Project Officer(s) for CECEHDPR - University of California at Davis Center for the Study of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism Grant Number R829388: Saint, Chris |
Refer to main center abstract for funding details. |
September 2001 - September 2002 |
| 3 |
R829388C002 Centers - This is a subproject of the CECEHDPR - University of California at Davis Center for the Study of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism |
Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Cell Activation/Signaling Core |
VanDeWater, Judy Gershwin, M. Eric Korvatska, Elena Ashwood, Paul - Principal Investigators listed are sub-PIs determined by the center. |
2002
|
Total Pubs:
5 Journals: 3 -- No Books -- |
University of California - Davis |
EPA Project Officer(s) for CECEHDPR - University of California at Davis Center for the Study of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism Grant Number R829388: Saint, Chris |
Refer to main center abstract for funding details. |
September 2001 - September 2002 |
| 4 |
R829388C003 Centers - This is a subproject of the CECEHDPR - University of California at Davis Center for the Study of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism |
Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Molecular Biomakers Core |
Hagerman, Paul Denison, Michael Gregg, Jeffrey Rocke, David Sharp, Frank - Principal Investigators listed are sub-PIs determined by the center. |
2002
|
Total Pubs:
4 Journals: 2 -- No Books -- |
University of California - Davis |
EPA Project Officer(s) for CECEHDPR - University of California at Davis Center for the Study of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism Grant Number R829388: Saint, Chris |
Refer to main center abstract for funding details. |
September 2001 - September 2002 |
| 5 |
R829388C004 Centers - This is a subproject of the CECEHDPR - University of California at Davis Center for the Study of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism |
Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (The CHARGE Study) |
Hertz-Picciotto, Irva Beckett, Laurel Hansen, Robin Croen, Lisa - Principal Investigators listed are sub-PIs determined by the center. |
2002
|
Total Pubs:
2 Journals: 2 -- No Books -- |
University of California - Davis |
EPA Project Officer(s) for CECEHDPR - University of California at Davis Center for the Study of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism Grant Number R829388: Saint, Chris |
Refer to main center abstract for funding details. |
September 2001 - September 2002 |
| 6 |
R829388C005 Centers - This is a subproject of the CECEHDPR - University of California at Davis Center for the Study of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism |
Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Animal Models of Autism |
Amaral, David G. Berman, Robert F. Capitanio, John Matsumura, Fumio - Principal Investigators listed are sub-PIs determined by the center. |
2002
|
Total Pubs:
3 Journals: 3 -- No Books -- |
University of California - Davis |
EPA Project Officer(s) for CECEHDPR - University of California at Davis Center for the Study of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism Grant Number R829388: Saint, Chris |
Refer to main center abstract for funding details. |
September 2001 - September 2002 |
| 7 |
R829388C006 Centers - This is a subproject of the CECEHDPR - University of California at Davis Center for the Study of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism |
Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Autism |
Pessah, Isaac N. Gershwin, M. Eric Goth, Samuel R. Matsumura, Fumio VanDeWater, Judy - Principal Investigators listed are sub-PIs determined by the center. |
2002
|
Total Pubs:
23 Journals: 20 -- No Books -- |
University of California - Davis |
EPA Project Officer(s) for CECEHDPR - University of California at Davis Center for the Study of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism Grant Number R829388: Saint, Chris |
Refer to main center abstract for funding details. |
September 2001 - September 2002 |