AUTISM RISK AND EXPOSURES/BIOMARKERS DURING PRE-, PERI, AND NEONATAL PERIODS

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Autism risk and exposures/biomarkers measured during the pre-, peri-, and neonatal periods: a baby sibs pilot investigation PI: Craig J. Newschaffer, Ph.D. There is strong evidence supporting the early origins of autism. For this reason, data collected during pregnancy could provide an important clue into the cause of autism. This project is a pilot study that will collect information and biologic samples from mothers of autistic children during the course of a subsequent pregnancy. By doing this we hope to learn how best to collect and analyze this type of data so that we can successfully implement a larger study in the future. This large study would address the question of whether exposures or biomarkers measured during pregnancy or very early in life increase the risk of a sibling of a child with autism themselves developing an autism spectrum disorder. A study of this design could help us untangle the complex inter-relationships between genetic predisposition and early environmental exposures that likely work together to cause autism.