Home > California > Science in Your Area

Science in Your Area

Autism Speaks has funded over $13,684,094 in research grants and initiative in the state of California. Funded studies include work done at:

  • University of California, Berkeley
  • University of California, Davis
  • University of California Davis, M.I.N.D. Institute
  • University of California Davis, School of Medicine
  • University of California, Irvine
  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • University of California, Los Angeles, VA Medical Center
  • University of California, Santa Cruz
  • University of California, San Diego
  • University of California San Diego, Pharmacy School
  • University of California, San Francisco
  • University of California, Keck Center for Integrative Neuroscience
  • University of Souther California
  • The Burnham Institute
  • Huntington Memorial Hospital
  • Stanford University
  • San Francisco State University
  • Archimedes Access Research and Technology International, Inc. (AARTI)
  • Amith-Kettlewell Eye Institute
  • CA Department of Public Health, Environmental Heal Investigations Branch
  • Salk Institute
  • California Institute of Technology
  • Kaiser Permanente Division of Research

Autism Treatment Network Site: Kaiser Permanente Autism Spectrum Disorders Center(San Jose, CA)  Autism.Research@kp.org 

Clinical Trials Network:Unversity of California, Davis(Davis, CA) - Participating site.

To learn more about the network or ongoing trials:  www.autismspeaks.org/ctn and www.clinicaltrials.gov

Spotlight on Pilot Awards:

Ellen Carpenter, Ph.D.
University of California, Los Angeles
$60,000 for 1 year

Genetic and epigenetic interactions in a mouse model for autism

This research will examine the effects of an environmental factor hypothesized to be a risk factor for autism (organophosphate exposure during the prenatal period) on the development of autistic behaviors in mice which express low levels of the protein encoded by the reelin gene. It will also determine whether reduced reelin expression in combination with organophosphate exposure leads to changes in the anatomy of brain regions associated with these behaviors.

This research will determine whether the reelin gene and organophosphate exposure may be risk factors for autism, and whether genetic variation in the reelin gene increases developmental sensitivity to organophosphates.


Click here for a full listing of Pilot Awards

Participate in research:

Infants at Risk of Autism:  A Longitudinal Study at UCLA 

This study tracks the early development of younger siblings of children with autism. We hope to learn more about the early warning signs of developmental problems and autism.   Our ability to identify early signs of autism and to begin early intervention for children at heightened risk of autism will improve the children’s developmental outcomes.  Infants enter the study at 6 months of age and are seen four more times: at 12, 18, 24, and 36 months.  Developmental assessments address language, non-verbal cognitive ability, social skills, imitation, and play skills.  The older sibling with autism is evaluated one time at UCLA’s Autism Evaluation Clinic.

For details on how to participate, click here

Did you Know....Autism Speaks sponsored the first of its kind Immunology Workshop which evaluated the current of knowledge about the potential role of immunological factors in the pathogenesis of autism, and to outlined critical areas of future research to clarify the relationship of such factors to autism and investigate their potential relevance for therapeutic interventions.

Click here for additional Current Science News