title: The NeuroDevNet Autism Spectrum Disorders Demonstration Project.
abstract: The NeuroDevNet Autism Spectrum Disorder Demonstration Project interfaces at many levels with the network's research themes and priorities. Our interdisciplinary team aims to improve understanding of genetic factors underlying vulnerability to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) to develop better diagnostic strategies and, ultimately, to pinpoint molecular pathways relevant to developing biologically based treatments. Linking our existing longitudinal ASD cohorts with both genetics and neuroimaging studies will provide, for the first time, integrated data on how the genetic variation influences brain and behavioral development in ASD. Importantly, as our science progresses and we translate this information to the health care system, we will also educate policy makers, media, and business, so an informed society is prepared to capitalize on new genomic advances and effectively integrate these into health services for the broader community. We believe that this research has the potential to transform assessment and care for individuals with ASD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Lonnie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zwaigenbaum
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scherer
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Szatmari
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fombonne
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Bryson
authors.forename: Krista
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hyde
authors.forename: Evdokia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Anagnostou
authors.forename: Evdokia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Anognostou
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brian
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Geoff
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nicholas
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vaillancourt
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Volden
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000235:genetics*; D006078:Government Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D058025:Interdisciplinary Studies; D016730:Program Development; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000458:organization & administration*