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September 17, 2004/Tishri 2 5765, Vol. 57, No. 3
Research partnership hopes to find answers
STEPHANIE N. HENSCHEL
Staff Writer
Families who have loved ones with autism have something to celebrate.
The National Alliance for Autism Research announced in July its partnership with Phoenix-based Transitional Genomics Research Institute and the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center in the NAAR Autism Genome Project.
Autism usually develops before the age of 3 and is a neurobiological disorder that impairs intuitive thought, social and language development centers. But its causes are still a mystery - thus the need for the Genome Project.
The project will pool almost 7,000 genomes taken from more than 1,000 multiplex families - families with two or more children diagnosed with autism. TGen will scan the genomes to create a genetic blueprint and then look for any areas in the genetic material that may pinpoint susceptibility to the disease.
"If it were not for the mapping of the human genome, we wouldn't be able to know anything," says Denise Resnik, founder of SARRC and Denise Resnik and Associates, a local public relations firm.
Resnik has been dealing with autism in a very personal way for over a decade: Her 13-year-old son is autistic.
"I dedicate my life to SARRC, not just for (my son), but for (my daughter)," she says, excited about the possibilities of the project.
The project is the largest study ever to focus on the genetics of autism. Resnik and Dietrich Stephan, director of neurogenomics division at TGen, believe the partnership will position Arizona and the Phoenix-metropolitan area as an international hub for autism genetics research.
"It attracts scientists, physicians, families and drug companies interested in autism to Phoenix," Stephan says. "It'll be the Mecca of autism research."
"It's incredibly great to think we are becoming an international hub of genomics and autism research," Resnik says. "And to think of the answers we may find."
Along with the economic development that could follow, area families could be the first to get involved in clinical trials of new medicines, according to Stephan.
"What we hope to be able to do is diagnose which families are at risk, diagnose the kids sooner," says Stephan. Early intervention is key in dealing with the disease.
"Eventually, what we'd like to do is ... develop new drugs that will help these kids," he says. At this point, there really is no effective therapy, he explained.
But the excitement doesn't stop there.
In 2003, SARRC and TGen launched a comprehensive study that focused on the molecular make-up of the genetic code of an autistic child and any possible environmental triggers. This three-part study, coupled with the findings of the genome project, mean limitless possibilities and many potential answers are on the horizon. While the genome project focuses only on DNA, the study will add information regarding RNA, proteins and environment.
The Hensley Corporation was instrumental in bringing the NAAR project to Phoenix. The Hensley Employee Foundation pledged $150,000 to SARRC for the project.
However, to continue SARRC's comprehensive study more funds are desperately needed, Stephan says.
Resnik said a goal of $2 million has been set to complete the first two parts of the organization's study, scheduled to be concluded early 2005.
"By completing the two protocols of the comprehensive study, it will give us enough data to bein applying for grants the National Institute of Mental Health," Resnik says.
Contact the writer here
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