4a-4 Childhood Autism Risk from Genetics and the Environment Follow-up (RE-CHARGE)

2022

Revisiting the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (CHARGE & Re-CHARGE) Projects CHARGE, under the leadership of Drs. Schweitzer and Abbeduto, is a study of approximately 2,000 children, looking at gene-environment interactions that increase the risk for autism and other DD, and targeting environmental exposures that can be modified so as to reduce risk. Currently in its twentieth year of funding, the study has generated a body of new results on prenatal exposures, such as pesticides, air pollution, medications and maternal nutrition, in relation to ASD, ADHD and DD. CHARGE children will be followed up at either ages 8-12 or 13-19, to understand developmental trajectories for children with DD, ASD, or typically developing. Outcomes of interest will be longitudinal change in diagnoses, cognitive and adaptive function, and symptoms of ADHD, anxiety or depression. The CHARGE study has identified potentially modifiable risk factors that have important public health and policy implications in reducing ASD challenges. In addition, the identification of maternal antibodies that target fetal brain proteins in over 20% of mothers of children with ASD who participated in CHARGE, has opened a new line of research for early identification through biomarkers.

Performing Research or Evaluation

Health-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other - Leadership

Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, Legislators/Policy Makers, General Public

Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas

Another State, Single-County, Mulit-County, State, Regional, National, International

N/A