Stanford Autism Genetics Program

Investigators

Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences:

Donna Spiker, PhD
Linda Lotspeich, MD
Helena C. Kraemer, PhD

Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Genetics:

Neil Risch, PhD
Richard M. Myers, PhD

Overview

The Stanford Autism Genetics Program is a joint effort by researchers from the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Department of Genetics who are examining the possible genetic causes of certain forms of autism.

In our project, we are studying families with two or more siblings with autism or pervasive developmental disorder. It is known that about 3-5% of all families in which there is a child with autism are likely to have more than one affected child, which is a risk 50 -75 times greater than the general population risk for this disorder. These families may exhibit a genetic form of autism, that is, to pass along autism through their genes. This group of families should contribute valuable information about the causes of autism.

In 1999, we completed a genetic study of 139 autism families. A list of our other publications is available on the Publications page.

We are also studying families in which both parents are of Ashkenazi Jewish background with one or more children with autism or pervasive developmental disorder (as above). This is one of several populations that may be helpful in finding genes. We want to emphasize that there are no indications that the incidence of autism is higher in this group of families.

We visit families all over the U.S. and Canada. There is no cost to families to participate.

For Enrollment or Further Inquiries

If you are interested in participating or know an eligible family, please call us to discuss the details of the study.

Dr. Donna Spiker
Stanford University
(650) 723-7809
spiker@stanford.edu

If you get the answering machine, leave a message, and we will return the call as soon as possible. For a bibliography of published articles about progress, email Dr. Spiker.

You may also write to:

Stanford Autism Research Program
Dept. of Psychiatry
Mail Code 5719 - 401 Quarry Road
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-5719