Fw: [TalkNEWS] Mercury & Autism - Funding for Research

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[TalkNEWS] Mercury & Autism - Funding for Research

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Mercury and Autism

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: NOVEMBER 15, 2000

Cure Autism Now, the largest private funder of autism research and

resources, invites proposals that examine the possible metabolic,

molecular, genetic or other response to mercury as it relates to autism.

Exposure to mercury, a potent neurotoxin, has been shown to cause immune,

sensory, neurological, motor, and behavioral dysfunctions similar to traits

defining or associated with autism, and the similarities extend to

neuroanatomy, neurotransmitters, and biochemistry. Exposure to mercury can

occur directly to the child or indirectly from the mother to the fetus

through vaccines, other medical products such as immune globulin

injections, dental amalgams, and consumption of contaminated fish. There is

a need to understand whether and how mercury may play a role in causing

autism, as well as how to treat its effects.

A number of different areas are of interest. Examples of studies that would

be given high priority include:

1. Studies that investigate the epidemiology of autism and mercury

exposure. These could include comparison of vaccinated children with

thimerosal with those vaccinated without thimerosal, studying the incidence

of autism, similarities or differences in presentation, and response to

treatment. These should be carefully correlated with the dose of mercury

received. A study of unvaccinated children with comparison to those

vaccinated would also be of great interest. Careful epidemiological data

collection will be essential, as well as precise characterization of the

nature of the neurodevelopmental defects. Consideration of other mercury

exposure in these children, and some measurement of the same would be

preferable.

2. Studies that investigate the pathophysiology of mercury at the cellular

level. These could include the mechanism of toxicity of mercury on the

neuron, how long mercury is retained in the cell, and whether the damage

can be altered by intervention at different points in time.

3. Studies that investigate the ways in which the body can successfully

detoxify from mercury exposure. These could include studies of astrocyte

metallothionein, compounds such as tripeptide glutathione, and studies of

individual variability in sulfate metabolism. Such work could include in

vitro or in vivo studies, and should consider ways to develop an assay for

measurement of the ability of any individual to respond to a toxic mercury

challenge.

4. Studies that systematically investigate chelation therapy for the

treatment of autism. These should include a control group. A double blind

crossover study will be given highest preference. Blinded

neuropsychological assessments, with instruments appropriate for

characterization of autism are essential.

5. Studies that can noninvasively document mercury exposure, and the role

of mercury in the pathophysiology of autism. These could include blood or

other tissue assays, or novel uses of currently available imaging

techniques such as MRI scanning, PET scanning, or magnetoencephalography.

New technology will also be favorably considered.

6. Studies that investigate the role of the immune system in the

pathophysiology of autism that relate to the ways in which mercury exposure

influences the immune response.

7. Studies that investigate genetic susceptibility to mercury. A number of

genetic variations in animals as well as lower organisms that result in

increased susceptibility to mercury toxicity have been described in the

literature. These genetic variants include a variety of mechanisms, which

range from autoimmune to SH group differences to polymorphisms in the

catocholeminergic system, which result in increased susceptibility to

mercury toxicity. If such genetic susceptibility exists in man, traditional

epidemiological approaches that rely primarily upon measuring quantitative

exposure to mercury could fail to capture the affects of mercury exposure

upon this population.

8. The Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) is a large repository of

blood samples with immortalized cell lines and DNA obtained from carefully

characterized autistic individuals, as well as their siblings and parents.

The collection includes a number of twin pairs, triplets and a limited

number of discordant, identical twin pairs. Studies that would utilize this

material to investigate any of the above areas of research, or that would

utilize this material for other work related to mercury and autism will be

strongly considered. Investigators may apply for access to DNA or serum

samples free of charge either as a stand alone grant to enable existing

research related to this RFP or as a supplementary grant to be utilized in

the implementation of research funded by this RFP.

The above projects are merely examples, and any other scientifically valid

study will be given strong consideration. Cure Autism Now places a high

priority on this important area of research.

Projects will be funded at a level of $40,000-$100,000 per year for one or

two years, depending on the project, and the investigators. Principal

investigators must have an academic and/or non-profit institutional

affiliation.

Except where otherwise specified within this RFP, all other terms,

conditions and specifications listed in the CAN Grant Guidelines apply.

Please submit a two-page letter of intent describing the proposed project

to: CAN Research Programs, Mercury RFP, P. O. Box 36188, Los Angeles, CA

90036-0188 by November 15, 2000. A full proposal will be requested on

projects of interest.

If you have additional questions please call or e-mail CAN Science Program

Officer, Libby Tegley at: 888-8AUTISM, research@.... More

information on Cure Autism Now can be found on our web site

www.cureautismnow.org.

<end quote>

The above announcement is found at

<http://www.cureautismnow.org/sciwatch/mercrfp.cfm>.

Per

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Wayne Obie

Media & Public Relations

CFMR/TalkInternational.com

http://www.talkinternational.com

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