Uploaded March 2012 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Catherine Lord, Paul Greengard, Nathaniel Heintz, Gerald Fischbach, The Rockefeller University: By some estimates, one in 166 children is now affected by autism. This widely reported statistic shows an alarming increase since 1990. While the surge in cases has not been fully explained, it is largely attributable to an expanded definition of autism as a spectrum of related conditions. According to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control, autism spectrum disorders may range from milder forms such as Asperger's syndrome to severely disabling illnesses. Studies of twins indicate that heredity plays a role in autism, and recent discoveries suggest that some people with the disorder may have inherited "mistakes" in genes that are important to learning. But these are only clues to the causes of autism. Much more research is needed to understand the underlying biology of autism spectrum disorders and to apply this knowledge in developing improved approaches to diagnosis and treatment. The fall 2008 Parents & Science program featured four outstanding scientists, clinical psychologist CATHERINE LORD, neurobiologist NATHANIEL HEINTZ, 2000 Nobel laureate in Medicine PAUL GREENGARD, and neuroscientist GERALD FISCHBACH, in a discussion of the latest findings in autism research.
Nathaniel Heintz' Bio: http://www.rockefeller.edu/research/faculty/labheads/NathanielHeintz/
http://www.rockefeller.edu
Catherine Lord, Paul Greengard, Nathaniel Heintz, Gerald Fischbach, The Rockefeller University: By some estimates, one in 166 children is now affected by autism. This widely reported statistic shows an alarming increase since 1990. While the surge in cases has not been fully explained, it is largely attributable to an expanded definition of autism as a spectrum of related conditions. According to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control, autism spectrum disorders may range from milder forms such as Asperger's syndrome to severely disabling illnesses. Studies of twins indicate that heredity plays a role in autism, and recent discoveries suggest that some people with the disorder may have inherited "mistakes" in genes that are important to learning. But these are only clues to the causes of autism. Much more research is needed to understand the underlying biology of autism spectrum disorders and to apply this knowledge in developing improved approaches to diagnosis and treatment. The fall 2008 Parents & Science program featured four outstanding scientists, clinical psychologist CATHERINE LORD, neurobiologist NATHANIEL HEINTZ, 2000 Nobel laureate in Medicine PAUL GREENGARD, and neuroscientist GERALD FISCHBACH, in a discussion of the latest findings in autism research.
Nathaniel Heintz' Bio: http://www.rockefeller.edu/research/faculty/labheads/NathanielHeintz/
http://www.rockefeller.edu
