Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, Cleveland: Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital has launched a study to determine whether genetic markers can be used to help identify children who are at risk of developing autism.
The study is designed to confirm the predictive value of established genetic markers and is a follow-up to retrospective studies that have been completed.
Thomas Frazier, Ph.D., of Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital Center for Autism, is the principle investigator for the study being funded by IntegraGen, a French biomedical company. The study will enroll 600 children over the next two years.
"This is the first time anyone has done a prospective study on a combination of genetic markers to examine whether a genetic risk score is helpful in identifying children with autism," Dr. Frazier said. "Autism is currently assessed by looking at behavioral characteristics of children. If we can develop a genetic test to assist in the earlier diagnosis of autism, we can provide beneficial treatment that leads to improved outcomes more quickly."
This study launches as the autism community prepares for the American Psychiatric Association's publication of the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in May 2013. Many experts expect the DSM will have a huge impact on autism spectrum disorders by narrowing the criteria for autism, eliminating Asperger syndrome and PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified).
"A genetic risk assessment tool has the potential to ensure that high-functioning individuals, who are part of the autism spectrum, continue to be appropriately identified and receive necessary treatments," Dr. Frazier said.
Dr. Frazier's team will also study whether genetic changes may be associated with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The study will enroll 300 children between the ages of 1 and 12 who are suspected to have an autism spectrum disorder, 75 children diagnosed with ADHD, and 225 children who do not have developmental disorders.
A cheek swab inside the mouth will be used to collect DNA from each study participant. Additionally, parents or caregivers will be asked to complete standardized questionnaires. Parents interested in finding out more information or enrolling their child in the study can contact the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital Center for Autism's Research Coordinator at (216) 448-6493.
The genetic testing will be done in the Genomic Medicine Institute at Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute. The study is being supported by a clinical research grant from IntegraGen, the company that developed the genetic panel being evaluated.
The Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital Center for Autism is a multi-faceted service provider for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and similar conditions. The state-of-the-art autism facility is dedicated to treatment, education, and research for children, adolescents, young adults and families dealing with autism spectrum disorders. The Center offers a full day, year-round intensive behavioral program for students from earliest diagnosis to age 22 years. An intensive behavioral early childhood program offers tiered levels of instruction and low student-to-instructor ratios. The Center's school program provides comprehensive communication, behavior academic, social and career development services. The Center for Autism also leads an outreach program provides in-home behavioral programming, consultation and training.
About Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital
Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital is a part of the Cleveland Clinic health system and offers full medical, surgical and rehabilitative care for infants, children and adolescents. Children's Hospital supports 126 acute care beds at Cleveland Clinic's main campus and 284 pediatric beds system wide; in addition, pediatric services are available at 10 family health centers in Northeast Ohio. A staff of 300 full-time pediatricians and sub-specialists see more than 500,000 pediatric visits each year and provide hospital care for an average of 218 children per day. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit, multi-specialty academic medical center integrating clinical care, research and education. It was founded in 1921 by four physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation.
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland , Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S.News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation's best hospitals in its annual "America's Best Hospitals" survey. About 2,800 full-time salaried physicians and researchers and 11,000 nurses represent 120 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic Health System includes a main campus near downtown Cleveland, eight community hospitals and 18 Family Health Centers in Northeast Ohio, Cleveland Clinic Florida, the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas, Cleveland Clinic Canada, and opening in 2013, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. In 2010, there were 4 million visits throughout the Cleveland Clinic health system and 167,000 hospital admissions. Patients came for treatment from every state and from more than 100 countries. Visit us at http://www.clevelandclinic.org/. Follow us at www.twitter.com/ClevelandClinic.