OHSU & UW STUDY GENETIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO AUTISM

06/07/2017

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PDF File Informational Flyer (258KB) [download]

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and the University of Washington (UW) are conducting a study on genetic contributions to autism, involving identical twins. The study is funded by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) and seeks to better understand how genetic changes that occur early in development might lead to autism. In particular, the researchers are seeking pairs of identical twins who are discordant for autism (that is, one has any autism spectrum diagnosis and one does not) to help answer this important question.

The research team is still recruiting families to take part in the study. Families with identical twins (or twins suspected to be identical), or other multiples, who are at least four years old are eligible to participate. Adult twins are welcome, too. At least one of the twins must have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, which could include autism, Asperger's, PDD-NOS, etc.

Participating in the study involves the twins and their parents providing biosamples (saliva, collected at home; blood drawn at a lab local to the family). Parents are also asked to fill out questionnaires regarding social skills, interests, and development for their children and themselves (one-time collection). Participation is expected to take about 3 hours. The researchers cover the cost of the blood draw and all shipping charges. No travel to OHSU or UW is required! Families who complete the study will receive $100.

See the study flyer and FAQs at http://bit.ly/autismtwins or contact the study coordinator, Hadley Morotti, at [email protected] / 503-494-2971.