PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: <\/p>\n
22-Oct-2014 <\/p>\n
Contact: Aurelia Grayson aurelia.grayson@autismspeaks.org<\/a> 646-385-8531 Autism Speaks @autismspeaks<\/p>\n New York, N.Y. (October 22, 2014) -- Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, has selected two major research projects one focused on intestinal bacteria, the other on chronic constipation to advance understanding of autism's gut-brain connection. Funding for the studies, each spanning three years, will total more than $2.3 million. <\/p>\n Research conducted through the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network (ATN) has demonstrated that gastrointestinal (GI) problems are very common among individuals who have autism and can worsen behavioral symptoms. In the fall of 2012, this progress was reflected in a series of guidelines on the management of autism-related medical conditions including chronic constipation published in the respected journal Pediatrics. Other research sponsored by Autism Speaks showed that in mice deliberate changes in the bacteria in the gut (known as \"microbiome\") can affect social behavior. <\/p>\n To follow-up on these breakthrough findings, Autism Speaks launched an initiative to fund new research on the \"gut-brain\" connection in autism. The most promising applicants were judged on the basis of potential impact and the soundness of their science. Proposals were reviewed by Autism Speaks science staff and a panel of scientific experts and family advisors. <\/p>\n \"Listening to our parents, we hear how often autism and GI problems can go hand in hand.\" says Autism Speaks Chief Science Officer Rob Ring. \"While we now know that autism and gastrointestinal problems frequently co-occur, improving our understanding of the underlying biology becomes essential for developing needed treatments.\" <\/p>\n The selected projects include an investigation led by Prof. James Versalovic, at Baylor College of Medicine, into the connection between the microbiome and autism symptoms. A second research grant will go to Prof. Pat Levitt, at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA) and University of Southern California, for research into the treatment of chronic constipation to improve behavioral symptoms associated with autism. <\/p>\n Autism and the microbiome <\/p>\n Dr. Versalovic will lead an in-depth analysis of the microbiome the gut's complex community of digestive bacteria. In doing so, his team will look for changes in the microbiome that relate to autism symptoms and GI problems. Dr. Versalovic is a world pioneer in the study of the human microbiome. His team will also look for signs of metabolic disturbances in the children participating in the study. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n View original post here: PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 22-Oct-2014 Contact: Aurelia Grayson aurelia.grayson@autismspeaks.org<\/a> 646-385-8531 Autism Speaks @autismspeaks New York, N.Y. (October 22, 2014) -- Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, has selected two major research projects one focused on intestinal bacteria, the other on chronic constipation to advance understanding of autism's gut-brain connection. Funding for the studies, each spanning three years, will total more than $2.3 million. Continue reading
\nAutism Speaks commits $2.3 million to research on gut-brain connection<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"