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Directors' Columns

  • RAS pathway, a potentially unifying theory of autism
    RAS pathway, a potentially unifying theory of autism
    13 March 2012
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    Dysregulation of the intracellular signaling pathway RAS, a risk factor for idiopathic autism, may provide a unifying theory of the disorder. Although this is not an altogether new hypothesis, several new findings have strengthened the evidence for it considerably.
  • Difficult decisions: An inside look at SFARI's grant-making
    Difficult decisions: An inside look at SFARI's grant-making
    11 April 2011
    Comments ( 2 )
    In November, the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) launched a request for applications, calling for letters of intent from individuals who will conduct bold, imaginative and rigorous research relevant to our mission. Applicants received notice in late February indicating whether they should submit a full application. Here, John Spiro, SFARI’s senior associate director for research, attempts to demystify the grant-making process — and give readers a behind-the-scenes look at how SFARI’s science team makes decisions.
  • A cautionary tale, and a case for evaluating autism genes
    A cautionary tale, and a case for evaluating autism genes
    1 February 2011
    Comments ( 17 )
    A study on a SHANK3 mutation highlights the danger in using research tools to inform decision-making in the doctor’s office. This sort of concern is one of the reasons for SFARI Gene’s new efforts to develop criteria for evaluating the strength of autism gene candidates, and presenting this information to the broader community.
  • UBE3A: What the HECT goes on in the brain?
    UBE3A: What the HECT goes on in the brain?
    29 September 2010
    Comments ( 2 )
    Several studies have shown that a micro-duplication within 15q11-13 — a region on chromosome 15 — on the maternal chromosome is associated with autism. The duplicated region contains many genes, but UBE3A, which encodes a ubiquitin ligase, deserves special attention because duplications apparently restricted to the UBE3A gene have been found in people with autism.
  • Director's column: Fever's promising puzzle
    Director's column: Fever's promising puzzle
    11 January 2010
    Comments ( 2 )
    Fever has benefits beyond its role in fighting infection. According to a prospective study published in 2007 and to many anecdotal reports, fever can improve cognitive function and behavior in individuals with autism.
  • Director's column: The gene-cognition gap
    Director's column: The gene-cognition gap
    8 October 2009
    Comments ( 3 )
    Autism research has attracted a remarkable diversity of scholars. Many of them have developed an understanding of concepts in fields that are not their own, but it is difficult to move beyond that level and think creatively in new domains. With this in mind, I plan to introduce topics that bridge fields, minimize jargon and place complex concepts in historical context.