National Science Initiatives

• Autism Treatment Network
  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Nashville, TN) - Participating Site
    
• Clinical Trials Network

Participate in Research

• Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE)- for two or more family members affected by autism
• Family Participation in Research - connecting families with researchers recruiting participants
• Interactive Autism Network (IAN) - an online project allowing parents to report information about their child's diagnosis, behavior, environment, services received, as well as progress over time.
• Autism Tissue Program (ATP) - a parent-led post-mortem brain tissue donation program

Spotlight on Pilot Awards:

Jermey Veenstra-Vander Weele, M.D.
Vanderbilt University
$120,000 for 3 years

Mouse genetic model of a dysregulated serotonin transporter variant associated with autism

To examine the functional and behavioral consequences of this mutation in the SERT gene, the present study will engineer mice to carry the mutation. This study will focus on behavioral analyses to determine whether the mutation found in humans will cause autistic-like behaviors in a mouse model. These behavioral analyses will provide a basis for the future exploration of the molecular basis of autistic behaviors related to the serotonin transporter.

This research should help clarify the role of variation in the serotonin transporter gene in the development of autistic-like behaviors, and may suggest novel therapies for people who have this particular mutation.