Asperger: Research Projects

==> Autism/AS/PDD Research Project Mount Sinai Hospital is doing research on families who have more than one member with an autistic spectrum disorder.

==> Autism Research Institute "ARI is primarily devoted to conducting research, and to disseminating the results of research, on the causes of autism and on methods of preventing, diagnosing and treating autism and other severe behavioral disorders of childhood." -This site also includes information on B6 Vitamin Therapy, MSG, and Secretin.

==> Current Autism Research Projects This is a link to The Autism Research Foundation's web site. Here you'll find information on several ongoing research projects.

==> Autism Research, Dr. Szatmari, McMaster University This webpage was created by the Autism/PDD research team at Chedoke McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. For the past 15 years, Dr. Peter Szatmari and his team have been conducting a variety of research studies in the area of Autism, Asperger Syndrome and PDD. Their page contains information on their research studies, research newsletters, educational resources and more. They are currently seeking participants from families who have two or more children the autism/PDD

==> University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K.
Volunteers Needed for Research Into Asperger Syndrome
We are a team of psychologists at Cambridge University carrying out research studies into Asperger Syndrome (AS). These studies are investigating cognitive aspects, behaviour and personality. Many of these studies simply involve filling in questionnaires and returning them (in prepaid envelopes). Others involve being assessed by one of our team. We would like to hear from parents of childen and teens with AS or HFA and adults with AS or high functioning autism who are interested to receive further details about these different studies (with no committment on your part). If you are interested, please contact Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen by e-mail sb205@cus.cam.ac.uk, visit their web site at Autism Research Centre, or by mail:

Professor Simon Baron-Cohen
Autism Research Centre
Section of Developmental Psychiatry
University of Cambridge
Douglas House
18b Trumpington Road
Cambridge, UK
CB2 2AH

==> University of Wisconsin-The Waisman Center & Brandeis University - Heller School for Social Policy and Management
Adolescents and Adults with Autism: A Study of Family Caregiving
This project, funded by National Institute of Health, is a "... study of 400 families of people with autism who live in Wisconsin and Massachusetts. Our goals are to describe the quality of life of these families, to assess the extent to which their service needs are adequately met, and to examine the plans they have made and put into place for the future" For more information visit their web site at: http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/family/index.htmlx

==> University of Florida - Psychology Department: Seeking Video Tapes of Infants (up to 15 months) of individuals now diagnosed with AS
In our earlier work, we have shown that movement patterns as early as 6 months of age are reliable markers for diagnosing kids at risk of autism. We believe people with AS display the same movement disturbances and therefore can be diagnosed much earlier than is typical by current methods. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! If you have been diagnosed with AS, or you are a parent with such a child and have home videos taken in infancy (up to 15 months) and are willing to share these videos, please contact us. Videos will copied and the originals will be returned.

Contact:
Professor Philip Teitelbaum
Psychology Department
P.O. Box 112250
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611 e-mail: teitelb@ufl.edu

==> Yale University Child Study Center in conjunction with LDA, is involved in a long-term Asperger Syndrome Research Project. They are actively seeking participants. Visit this page for information on this project and how you can participate.

==>Mount Sinai School of Medicine – Neuroscience PET Laboratory
Research Study: “Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Autism and Asperger’s Disorder”
We are looking for individuals with autism and/or Asperger’s Disorder (18- 40 years old) in the New York City area to participate in a neuroimaging research study. The purpose of this study is to learn more about which areas of the brain are involved in attention and how they connect with each other. By learning more about the mechanisms of attention, the investigators may help the discovery of new treatments for autism, Asperger’s Disorder, and other neurological and psychiatric illnesses.

Your participation will involve three visits to Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The first visit will involve a diagnostic interview to clinically verify your diagnosis. In addition, you will receive a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan on separate days.

If you receive both PET and MRI scans you will receive $200 in reimbursement for your time and expenses. You will receive $100 if you only have one of the scans.

If you are interested in participating in our research study or if you have any questions, please contact Liz LiCalzi at 212-241-6314 or email elizabeth.licalzi@mssm.edu

For more information about the Neuroscience PET Laboratory visit our website: www.mssm.edu/psychiatry/PETlab.shtml

==> Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts
Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, CT,
University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
University of Michagan, Ann Arbor, MI
High-Functioning Autism/Asperger Syndrome Study:
Neurobiology and Genetics of Autism and Related Disorders

The goals of this research are to better define the boundaries and clarify the distinctions between HFA and AS, as well as to identify familial patterns of inheritance in these two disorders. This study is a collaborative effort and includes our site at McLean Hospital as well as sites as the Yale Child Study Center, The University of Chicago, and the University of Michigan. This investigation is supported through the NICHD and was just awarded funds for another 5 years of study.

We are currently enrolling families with at least one child between the ages of 6 and 21 with a diagnosis of High Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome (IQ >70), and no other significant disorders.

For more information on how you can participate go to:
www.mgh.harvard.edu/allpsych/psychneurogen/psychneuro_research_highfunction.htm

==> University of Cambridge - UK
Autism Research Centre
Asperger Syndrome (AS) Sibling Pair Project

We are looking for adults or children who are diagnosed with AS to take part in a new genes project, along with their brothers and sisters.

This new worldwide study involves collecting a DNA sample and a questionnaire from individuals with Asperger Syndrome and their biological brothers and sisters. Providing a DNA sample is quick, easy and a completely painless process. This research may enable us to identify specific genes involved in Asperger Syndrome, furthering our understanding of the condition and possibly leading to earlier diagnosis.

For further information please see:
www.autismresearchcentre.com/volunteers/sib_pair.asp
Or email Sally Wheelwright: sjw18@cam.ac.uk

==> Autism Diet and Nutrition Study
University of Delaware, Center for Disabilities Studies
Online survey - looking for participants from throughout the United States
A collaboration of programs and agencies, including the Delaware Division for Developmental Disabilities and the Delaware Department of Education, are interested in the nutritional and dietary needs and concerns of children with autism. During the past decade, a number of professionals, families, and advocates have raised numerous questions about the impact of nutrition and diet on the development of children with autism. Your assistance with determining these needs and concerns is critical.

Click Here to complete the survey

The Parenting Aspergers Resource Guide: A Complete Resource Guide For Parents Who Have Children Diagnosed With Aspergers Syndrome.