Genetics Research Group Looking for Families with Multiple Diagnosed Children

May 28, 2005

Please take the time to do your part to help medical researchers

understand the genetic susceptibility to autism. JB

The Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) is a shared resource and

gene bank for autism researchers. We collect biomaterials in form of a

blood draw from the entire family, diagnostic information to reconfirm

their diagnosis, and medical histories and physical/neurological exams

from the kids. We make this available to our researchers, who are the

ones that are doing autism research.

Sometimes it takes researchers (years) to get 60 families over the

course of 3 years for their research. The great thing about our

program is that we have over 600 families that researchers can use for

their studies. This cuts out a great deal of time for our researchers,

leaving them more time to conduct research. By pushing the pace of

autism research, we can find better interventions, earlier diagnoses,

and ultimately a cure for autism. We have over 120 researchers

worldwide that use our gene bank and we are the largest gene bank in

the states.

We are currently recruiting families that have two or more children on

the autism spectrum.

Due to confidentiality and ethical issues put on by our IRB

(Institutional Review Board), we are not able to contact families

directly for recruitment. They either need to contact us or come to us

through a third party referral.

If a family is interested in the program, they can contact us through a

number of ways. They can sign up on the website at www.familyagre.org,

call me directly at toll-free (866) 612-2473 x32, or they email me at

ttorigoe@....

t Burk

Home of the " Early Learner at Home "

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