Grant establishes Autism Center of Excellence
A diagnosis of childhood autism devastates
families. The genetics are complex. There is
no cure. There are legal issues, and autism is
expensive to treat. Insurance coverage is spotty,
and families frequently find themselves in
financial trouble.
Then, there are the emotional issues. Children
with autism are often withdrawn and have
communication problems and difficulty
forming relationships. About one-third of them
are afflicted with a compulsion for repetitive
behavior and insistence on sameness that, when
interrupted, can ignite tantrums, aggression and
physical injury.
In August, UIC received a five-year $9.6 million
grant from the National Institutes of Health
to establish an Autism Center of Excellence,
one of five nationally and the only one in
the Midwest. Dr. Edwin Cook, professor of
psychiatry and director of the Laboratory of
Developmental Science at UIC's Institute for
Juvenile Research, is leading the interdisciplinary
effort. It encompasses genetics, biochemistry,
neurophysicology, neuroimaging and behavior
observation.
"Problems related to repetitive behaviors, such
as anxiety and aggression, are among the most
troublesome and debilitating for individuals
with autism and their families," Cook said.
A class of medication called selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors, also known as SSRI drugs,
has shown promising results with some patients
with repetitive behavior disorders.
"It's wonderful when we have patients who
respond to medication and do well," Cook said.
"But we have many patients who either do not
respond, or only partially respond, and end up
with strong compulsions involving aggression."
Cook and his team hope to understand how
the SSRI works from genetic, cognitive
neuroscience and pharmacological approaches.
They've started a study whose goal is to test and
develop a combination of individualized drug
and behavioral interventions to treat autism
patients with repetitive disorder.
The bigger goal for children and their families
is much simpler: hope.
Reporting: Sherri McGinnis Gonzalez, UIC News Bureau
