Avi Reichenberg, Joseph Buxbaum, Alexander Kolevzon, Michaeline Bresnahan, Ezra Susser, Mady Hornig, Erik Parner, Christina Hultman, Yudi Pawitan, Sven Sandin, Camilla Stoltenberg, Andre Sourander, Mika Gissler, Helen Leonard, Nan Hu, Kim Carter, Richard Francis, Emma Glasson, Andrew Whitehouse
Better understanding of the etiologic roles of family history, prenatal environmental factors, and potential biologic mechanisms, such as epigenetic changes, in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are research priorities identified in the Autism Coordinating Committee 2011 Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder Research, but rapid progress is hampered by the challenges of acquiring relevant data in large epidemiologic samples. The goals of the current proposal are to examine: (1) fundamental controversies concerning familial and environmental contributions to risk for ASD; (2) transmission of risk across generations; (3) investigate pregnancy-related environmental factors in ASD, and (4) the potential role of epigenetic changes in those factors.
Plain Language summary: The resource established by the MINERvA Network will allow more accurate and precise determination of the contributions of familial and environmental factors to the etiology of autism, in particular if medications for maternal chronic and acute conditions prescribed in pregnancy contribute to ASD risk, and whether epigenetic processes underlie a biological abnormality linked to autism. From a public health perspective the study will accelerate the characterization of high risk groups, modifiable risk factors and the elucidation of mechanisms in autism etiology that could ultimately contribute to preventive measures or interventions and treatments.
Funder: NIH (ACE program)
External collaborators:
- Avi Reichenberg, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, US
- Joseph Buxbaum, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, US
- Alexander Kolevzon, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, US
- Michaeline Bresnahan, Columbia University Medical Center, US
- Ezra Susser, Columbia University Medical Center, US
- Mady Hornig, Columbia University Medical Center, US
- Erik Parner, University of Aarhus, Denmark
- Christina Hultman, Karolinska Institute, Sweden
- Yudi Pawitan, Karolinska Institute, Sweden
- Sven Sandin, Karolinska Institute, Sweden
- Camilla Stoltenberg, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
- Andre Sourander Turku University, Finland
- Mika Gissler Turku University, Finland