IAN Needs You!
The Interactive Autism Network (IAN) is an innovative online project bringing together tens of thousands of people affected by autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and hundreds of researchers in a search for answers.
Individuals with ASD and their families can share information in a secure setting to become part of the largest online autism research project in the United States. The data collected by IAN both facilitates scientific research and empowers community leaders to advocate for improved services and resources. In addition, anyone impacted by an ASD can become part of IAN's online community to stay informed about autism research and make their voices heard. Visit the IAN Project website to learn more.
See what our families are saying about participating in this study.....
"Our family has been involved with the IAN project since it launched. It is so gratifying knowing we are taking part in such important research involving autism. It is an easy website to navigate and not too time consuming. I encourage all parents with children on the spectrum to participate. I am proud to do our part in helping finding a cure."
-Tanya Craft, Autism Speaks-St. Louis Chapter board member, Walk Team Captain and Tanner's mom
“IAN has been on my mind as another task that I am supposed to complete for research to help the future generation of kids that may be diagnosed with Autism. I was not looking forward to beginning the study because of the several questioners; and I think because of my son’s age, he has had this diagnosis for 10 years and 2 months; wow so much has happened how could I possibly remember it all. Surprisingly the questions are easy to follow and allow for explanations. I look forward to completing more tasks and participating in the study to help the researcher’s and doctors dedicated to improving the lives of our children, our grandchildren and those children and families we may never know!”
-Christine Jaeger, Autism Speaks-St. Louis Chapter board member, Walk Team Captain and Alex’s mom
"I joined IAN as soon as I heard about it and have really enjoyed feeling like I am contributing to important Autism Research. The great thing is that you can do it in your own home, at your own pace. There is no deadline for tasks and if you run out of time on a certain task, you can save where you are and return to it later. Getting started is easy and once you are a part of IAN you will get reports on what statistics and information they have learned from the IAN study. It is a great way to find out about new therapies that people are trying or new common links that are being discovered amongst people with autism."
-McKay Mills, Autism Speaks-St. Louis Chapter board member, Walk Team Captain and Graham's mom
Autism Speaks has funded over $1.6 million in research grants in the state of Missouri.
Funded studies include work done at:
- University of Missouri - St. Louis
- University of Missouri -Columbia
- University of Missouri & Children's Mercy Hospital
- Washington University
- Washington University, School of Medicine
- Children's Mercy Hospitals & Clinics
New Research Opportunity for Mid-Missouri Families:
The Thompson Center for Autism in Columbia to participate in the Simons Simplex Collection study. This research is aimed at understanding the genetics of autism in families that have only one child affected with autism. Thompson Center (along with Washington University in St. Louis) is one of 13 study sites in the nation.
Free behavioral assessments including Cognitive, Neuropsychological, social & communication, physical examination!
(For the child with ASD)
Eligibility Requirements:
*You have only one child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), between the ages of 4 and 17 years
*If you have additional child(ren) ages 4 years or older, they must be without ASD or significant developmental delays
*Both biological parents are willing to participate
Research Components: (all at no-cost to the family)
1. Families will participate in a variety of assessments: diagnostic, interviews, neuropsychological.
2. All family members will have a blood test, a source of DNA. (full confidentiality)
3. Involves a single visit in our center in Columbia Missouri!
If your family is interested in learning more about the Simons Simplex Collection contact:
Nicole Takahashi, Project Coordinator
Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders
300 Portland Street, Suite 110, Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: (573) 884-1893 Email: takahashin@missouri .edu
Participate in local research at Washington University School of Medicine:
Autism Treatment Network Site: University of Missouri - Columbia/Thompson Center (Columbia, MO) Paula Slusher Phone: 573-884-8121
Clinical Trials Network: To learn more about the network or ongoing trials: www.autismspeaks.org/ctn and www.clinicaltrials.gov
Spotlight on Pilot Awards:
Shawn Christ, Ph.D.
University of Missouri-Columbia
$120,000 for 2 years
The neural correlates of transient and sustained executive control in children with autism spectrum disorder
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) will be used to visualize regional brain activities in 40 high-functioning adolescents with ASD and an age-matched control group during their performance of an executive control task. The resulting data will be used to determine whether the impairments experienced by individuals with ASD are characterized by brain activity typical of a failure to maintain an appropriate overall approach to the task at hand, or a failure of moment-by-moment implementation of executive control. As well, brain regions demonstrating abnormal activation in ASD individuals during executive control tasks will be further examined for atypical structure and connectivity to other parts of the brain.
Thomas Conturo, M.D.Ph.D.
Washington University School of Medicine
$119,963 for 2 years
Analysis of brain microstructure in autism using novel diffusion MRI approaches
In the present study, Dr. Conturo and colleagues will develop new diffusion MRI techniques which will allow them to examine the microscopic structure of white matter tracts. They will combine existing diffusion MRI methods with novel computational approaches aimed at determining the cellular basis of white matter abnormalities, and apply these new methods to examining the brains of individuals with autism.
This research may help to define the underlying cellular disturbances which result in abnormal white matter tracts in autism, as well as provide new diagnostic tools for neurodevelopmental disorders.
Click here for a full listing of Pilot Awards
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.
Local Science News:
New research on autism from Paul Shattuck, Ph.D., assistant professor of George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. Research shows wide age gap between possible and actual autism disgnosis.
Read about additional Current Science News
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