Grantee Research Project Results

Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Cell Activation/Signaling Core

EPA Grant Number: R829388C002
Subproject: this is subproject number 002 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R829388
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: UC Davis Center for Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention
Center Director: Van de Water, Judith
Title: Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Cell Activation/Signaling Core
Investigators: Van de Water, Judith , Gershwin, M. Eric , Korvatska, Elena
Current Investigators: Van de Water, Judith , Ashwood, Paul
Institution: University of California - Davis
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: September 30, 2001 through September 29, 2002
RFA: Centers for Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research (2001) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Children's Health , Human Health

Objective:

Profile serologic samples from autistic and matched control children collected from Research Projects I (Environmental Epidemiology), from Project II (Animal Models), and tissue culture experiments performed in Project III (Molecular/Cell Mechanisms).

To define the blood levels of key neurotrophins and neuropeptides by ELISA or recycling immunoaffinity chromatography
To ascertain what tissue-specific antibodies are found in sera of patients with autism using a variety of neuronal antigens by immunoblot. Using patient sera, also perform immunohistochemical analysis of brain tissue from autistic patients and controls. Similar studies will be performed during the generation of animal models in Project II.
Using our brain tissue from autistic patients solicited through the M.I.N.D. Institute’s collaboration with the Autism Tissue Program of the National Alliance for Autism Research, screen for the presence of differentially expressed antigens as recognized by patient sera. Also of importance is the determination of existing in situ deposits of antibody in the brain of patients (when available).
To develop a protein array derived from a brain cDNA library for screening with patient sera for any unknown antigens or receptors found bound by antibodies from patients with autism.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this subproject: View all 5 publications for this subproject | View all 179 publications for this center

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this subproject: View all 3 journal articles for this subproject | View all 161 journal articles for this center

Supplemental Keywords:

Autism, antibodies, autoantibodies, immunohistochemical, antigens, thimerosal,, RFA, Health, Scientific Discipline, PHYSICAL ASPECTS, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Health Risk Assessment, Chemistry, Risk Assessments, Susceptibility/Sensitive Population/Genetic Susceptibility, Disease & Cumulative Effects, Physical Processes, Children's Health, genetic susceptability, Biology, Risk Assessment, chemical exposure, neurotoxic, xenobiotics, biomarkers, epidemiology, gene-environment interaction, neurodevelopment, pesticides, exposure, halogenated aromatics, children, neurobehavioral, neurodevelopmental, neurotoxicity, etiology, susceptibility, human exposure, neurobehavioral effects, autism, biological markers, mechanisms, exposure assessment, neurological development, biomarker, synergistic interactions

Progress and Final Reports:

Final

Main Center Abstract and Reports:

R829388 UC Davis Center for Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention

Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R829388C001 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Analytic Biomakers (xenobiotic) Core
R829388C002 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Cell Activation/Signaling Core
R829388C003 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Molecular Biomakers Core
R829388C004 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (The CHARGE Study)
R829388C005 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Animal Models of Autism
R829388C006 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Autism

Top of Page

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.