25K Grant for Autism Research/ Stem-cell Advances/ Parents Sue Colorado

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" Healing Autism: No Finer a Cause on the Planet "

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August 15, 2000

25K Grant for Autism Research/ Stem-cell Advances/ Parents Sue Colorado

[by Engels in the NY Daily News.]

http://www.nydailynews.com/2000-08-15/News_and_Views/City_Beat/a-76629.asp

Impressed with the work being done for autism research at Staten

Island's Institute for Basic Research, a City Council member yesterday

announced a $25,000 grant for the cause.

Councilman Fiala (R-South Shore), who made the funding

available, noted that the rate of autism on Staten Island — 36 out of every

10,000 people — is abnormally high.

" It was time to draw a road map that will lead to a cause and a cure, "

he said.

" It's important to provide the experts with the tools that are needed

to get the job done and help deal with one of society's ills that has long

been forgotten, " Fiala said.

Fiala, who made the announcement at the institute, said that more than

100 families with autistic children have visited his office in the past 2

1/2 years.

" They cry their eyes out because of the burden. They are on an

emotional roller coaster, finding it difficult to deal with, " he said.

" At the institute, they find hope and educational opportunities, and

what's going on is simply amazing, " said Fiala.

He said the grant marked the first time the institute has received

city funding.

" I hope my fellow legislators will do their bit as well, " Fiala said.

Dr. Ted Brown, interim director of the institute, said a portion of

the funding will be used to conduct a multifaceted study into brain

pathology and autistic behavior.

Brown said autism " is a medical disorder that has been neglected by

scientists for 40 years.

" If we can get them at a very young age, before 3, and work on the

behavioral problems, more social interaction can be achieved, " he said.

" There are plenty of puzzles that have to be solved, " Brown said.

Although autism is sometimes associated with genetic or viral

disorders, in most cases the cause is unknown.

" Once the cause is found, the next step hopefully will be the cure, "

Brown said.

Take the Mystery out of Autism

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Stem-cell Advance Offers Hope For Treatment Of Brain Disorders

[by H. Maugh II in the Los Angeles Times.]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/news/nation-world/html98/stem15_20000815.ht

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In a development that eventually might render moot the debate over use

of fetal cells in brain therapy, researchers have succeeded in transforming

stem cells from bone marrow into functioning brain cells in both rats and

humans.

Although the research is at an early stage, scientists believe the

advance might make it possible to use a patient's own stem cells to treat

brain disorders, including Parkinson's, Huntington's and Alzheimer's

diseases, as well as stroke and spinal-cord injuries.

Brain tissue from aborted fetuses is being used experimentally to

treat such conditions and shows promise, but the supply of fetal tissue has

been restricted and its use is controversial because of the source.

The new discovery " essentially circumvents all the ethical concerns

with the use of fetal tissues, " said Dr. Ira Black of the University of

Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, who reports the finding in today's

Journal of Neuroscience Research.

Stem cells that have the ability to grow into any type of cell found

in the body normally are found only in fetuses. But recently, researchers

identified a variety of other, more developed stem cells in adults - in the

brain and in blood, for example - that have the capability to grow into only

limited types of tissues.

Black and colleagues used various chemicals to redirect growth of this

latter type of cells into tissues they don't normally produce. They are

transplanting the cells into rat brains to see if they are therapeutic.

Tests in humans are still several years off, he said.

+ Article continues at:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/news/nation-world/html98/stem15_20000815.ht

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Parents of Disabled Sue For State Services in Colorado

By Flynn Denver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer

http://insidedenver.com/news/0815suit7.shtml

Nearly 2,700 developmentally disabled Coloradans have been waiting for

years for the state to provide federally mandated help.

Three people who got tired of waiting filed a lawsuit Monday in

federal court. The parents and guardians of three women who have autism,

Down syndrome and a seizure disorder are trying to win class-action

designation to force Colorado to fund the treatment services they say are

required.

" We think the state should be addressing this now, " said

of the Arc of Colorado, an advocacy group for developmentally

disabled people. " We don't know if they're really aware just how many people

are out there who need services. "

The lawsuit names Gov. Bill Owens and the state departments of Human

Services and Health Care Policy and Financing, along with their respective

executive directors, Marva Hammons and Jim Rizzuto.

Liz McDonough, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Human

Services, said officials won't comment on pending litigation.

In the lawsuit, the parents of Mandy R., 24, W., 30, and

F., 24, said their children have been told they would have to wait

up to 10 years to receive services that ordinarily should be provided within

90 days. Their last names were not disclosed in the lawsuit. The services

they are seeking, mandated by the Social Security Act, Medicaid Act, the

Americans with Disabilities Act and others, include such things as in-home

health visits, counseling and tutoring in living skills such as money

management, cooking and cleaning.

Services could also include placement in group homes or other

facilities. About 10,000 people receive such services in Colorado, and the

waiting list had 2,692 names on it in a recent count, said n

Neely-Carlson, spokeswoman for The Arc.

Joan Harwick, president of The Arc's board of directors, said the

needs of those on the waiting list range from periodic in-home visits to

around-the-clock care.

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