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Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (The CHARGE Study)
EPA Grant Number: R829388C004Subproject: this is subproject number 004 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R829388
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: CECEHDPR - University of California at Davis Center for the Study of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism
Center Director: Pessah, Isaac N.
Title: Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (The CHARGE Study)
Investigators: Hertz-Picciotto, Irva , Beckett, Laurel , Hansen, Robin
Current Investigators: Hertz-Picciotto, Irva , Croen, Lisa , Hansen, Robin
Institution: University of California - Davis
EPA Project Officer: Saint, Chris
Project Period: September 30, 2001 through September 29, 2002
RFA: Centers for Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research (2001)
Research Category: Health Effects , Children's Health
Description:
Objective:The causes and contributing factors for autism are poorly understood. Evidence suggests that incidence is increasing, but diagnostic changes & improvements may be playing a role. Both genetic and environmental factors appear to play a role. Autopsy studies demonstrate structural changes in the brain and clinical investigations reveal neurophysiologic differences in information processing in autistic vs. normal children. Members of our team recently demonstrated altered levels of certain neuropeptides at birth in children who later developed autism.
The proposed case-control study will be the first large-scale epidemiologic investigation of underlying causes for autism and triggers of regression. This study will capitalize on the strengths of the case-control design, which is well suited to examine a broad array of factors for rare conditions that are thought to be multifactorial. Comparisons will be made with both general population controls and mentally retarded children.
The aims are to assess the influence of exogenous exposures, the role of susceptibility factors, and the interplay between these two in the etiology of autism and its phenotypic variation. Chemicals with known or suspected neurodevelopmental toxicity, such as PCB’s, certain pesticides, and metals, will be investigated. This study will also pursue several hypotheses that have recently gained attention, including the combined measles, mumps, rubella vaccine and mercury present in vaccines given during infancy and early childhood. Additionally, biochemical susceptibility will be examined through characterization of metabolic, immunologic, and neuronal gene expression profiles and genetic polymophisms.
Publications and Presentations:Publications have been submitted on this subproject: View all 2 publications for this subproject | View all 153 publications for this center
Journal Articles:Journal Articles have been submitted on this subproject: View all 2 journal articles for this subproject | View all 142 journal articles for this center
Supplemental Keywords:Autism, environmental epidemiology, neurodevelopment, neurotoxicology,
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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Scientific Discipline, Health, RFA, PHYSICAL ASPECTS, Susceptibility/Sensitive Population/Genetic Susceptibility, Risk Assessment, Biology, Risk Assessments, Disease & Cumulative Effects, genetic susceptability, Health Risk Assessment, Physical Processes, Chemistry, Children's Health, biomarkers, exposure assessment, xenobiotics, neurological development, autism, synergistic interactions, mechanisms, human health risk, susceptibility, halogenated aromatics, etiology, gene-environment interaction, neurotoxic, biological markers, children, neurobehavioral, pesticides, chemical exposure, exposure, biomarker, neurobehavioral effects, human exposure, neurodevelopmental, neurotoxicity
Progress and Final Reports:
2002 Progress Report
2003 Progress Report
2005 Progress Report
Main Center Abstract and Reports:
R829388 CECEHDPR - University of California at Davis Center for the Study of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism
Subprojects under this Center:
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R829388C001 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Analytic Biomakers (xenobiotic) Core
R829388C002 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Cell Activation/Signaling Core
R829388C003 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Molecular Biomakers Core
R829388C004 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (The CHARGE Study)
R829388C005 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Animal Models of Autism
R829388C006 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Autism