autism research

 

My cousin gives amazing back rubs.

This is me and my cousin Lindsey during my family's latest "girl's weekend" in Vegas. She is not only sweet as pie but gives excellent compliments, back rubs, and knucks. In short, she's just a fabulous human being. She also has autism. If you want to learn more about her story, I would recommend checking out her mother's blog: All Things Purple. 

I thought of her yesterday during a meeting I had here at work. As some of you may know, I work in the genetics department at OHSU. Among other things, our department conducts research to help find cures and treatments for people suffering from genetic disorders. One of our newest researchers, Dr. Brian O'Roak, is part of a national program (called SPARK) that is collecting genetic information from people with autism all over the country. As you may know, autism is a disorder that can be caused by many different kinds of mutations which can make it so difficult to treat. Their goal is to collect as much genetic information from as many people as possible to try and pinpoint the different types of autism. That way, they can begin to find treatments for all the different types.

So here's where you come in: If you know someone with autism, or a family member of someone with autism, please share the SPARK website with them. Everything the program needs can be done from inside your own home either online or by mail. Their program really needs participants with the more rare types of autism as multiple samples with the same mutation make it easier to pinpoint exactly where the mutation occurs on the genome in order to develop treatments.

If you know someone with autism, I hope you share this information with them. If you don't, I hope you've enjoyed this little PSA and my terrible attempts at scientific descriptions. I think we all know the large impact that autism has on those who live with it as well as the family members whose lives they share. Working towards treatment, in whatever little ways we can, is a very worthy cause and I hope you will take the time to send a quick email to someone you love and who may someday benefit from this research.