Grantee Research Project Results

2005 Progress Report: Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (The CHARGE Study)

EPA Grant Number: R829388C004
Subproject: this is subproject number 004 , 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; Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (The CHARGE Study)
Investigators: Hertz-Picciotto, Irva , Croen, Lisa , Hansen, Robin
Institution: University of California - Davis
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: September 30, 2001 through September 29, 2002
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 30, 2004 through September 29, 2005
RFA: Centers for Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research (2001) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Children's Health , Human Health

Objective:

To undertake a case control study of genetic and environmental factors that may influence the onset and severity of autism and associated co-morbidities.

Progress Summary:

To date the CHARGE study has enrolled 540 families with children 2-5 years of age. Most have completed the Parent and Child Modules and their clinic visit. We have collected over 1300 blood specimens and over 1500 urine specimens. Hair and baby locks are also being archived. It is too early to report if the blood levels of priority contaminants (heavy metals, PBDEs, PCBs) in autistic children differ from the two comparison groups (general population and developmentally delayed). The case-control design of the CHARGE study and the extensive medical and psychometric data available to Center researchers on each of the participants has facilitated the discovery of several important biomarkers of immune and metabolic dysfunction that appear to distinguish children with autism.

Sleep patterns and cognitive development in autism. We have nearly completed our study examining sleep patterns and development in autistic children. A key finding is an association between delayed cognitive development and increased daytime/nighttime sleep and resistance or sensitivity to environmental factors. Adaptive development and sleep patterns have not been investigated before. Our results show an association between delayed adaptive development and difficulty with sleep onset and maintenance. We are currently exploring whether (1) autism exacerbates sleep problems, (2) sleep problems make autism symptoms worse, or (3) both sleep disturbances and autism are consequences of a common unidentified cause(s) of cognitive and adaptive delays. A preliminary report was presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) in 2005.

Evaluation of growth parameters in young children with autism. A comparison of growth parameters in autism subjects with general population controls, matched for age, gender, parent age and education, and racial and ethnic group, showed no difference in head circumference between children with and without autism; with head circumference was predicted by weight rather than diagnostic group. In each group, 12% had head circumferences above the 95th percentile plotted on NHANES III growth charts. Earlier growth parameters, abstracted from medical records, will be examined for trajectories over time in both groups and in autism subgroups (regressive vs. early onset) as possible predictors of head circumference. A report was presented at the Society for Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics annual research meeting in September 2005.

Journal Articles on this Report : 2 Displayed | Download in RIS Format

Publications Views
Other subproject views:	All 2 publications	2 publications in selected types	All 2 journal articles
Other center views:	All 179 publications	162 publications in selected types	All 161 journal articles

Publications
Type	Citation	Sub Project	Document Sources
Journal Article	Croen LA, Grether JK, Yoshida CK, Odouli R, Van de Water J. Maternal autoimmune diseases, asthma and allergies, and childhood autism spectrum disorders: a case-control study. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine 2005;159(2):151-157.	R829388 (2006) R829388 (Final) R829388C004 (2005)	Abstract from PubMed Full-text: Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine-Full Text Exit Abstract: Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine-Abstract Exit Other: Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine-Full Text PDF Exit
Journal Article	Hertz-Picciotto I, Croen LA, Hansen R, Jones CR, van de Water J, Pessah IN. The CHARGE Study: an epidemiologic investigation of genetic and environmental factors contributing to autism. Environmental Health Perspectives 2006;114(7):1119-1125.	R829388 (2006) R829388 (Final) R829388C004 (2005) R833292 (2007) R833292 (Final)	Full-text from PubMed Abstract from PubMed Associated PubMed link

Supplemental Keywords:

Autism, case control study, gene-environment interactions,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Health, 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, 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:

Original Abstract

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

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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.