ADVISORY PANEL RELEASES FIRST FEDERAL STRATEGIC PLAN FOR AUTISM RESEARCH

The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), a federal
government advisory panel, has released its first blueprint for autism
research.  The IACC Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
will advise federal agencies and Congress on needs and opportunities for
research investigating autism, a complex developmental disorder that
affects 1 in 150 children.

"This plan will help fill the gaps between what we know about autism and
what we need to do to help affected families and communities,"  said
Thomas Insel, M.D., chair of the IACC and director of the National
Institute of Mental Health, part of the National Institutes of Health.
"This document marks a significant achievement in that it is the product
of a truly collaborative effort involving the IACC, scientists, advocacy
groups and the public."

In establishing the IACC, the Combating Autism Act of 2006 mandated that
the body develop and annually update a strategic plan for autism
research.  The IACC, composed of both federal and public members,
developed the plan through an extensive process engaging a wide range of
federal agencies and public stakeholders.  The IACC convened four
scientific workshops to identify research opportunities as well as
expert workgroups to recommend research objectives.  The committee also
sought extensive public input on ASD research priorities through means
such as town hall meetings and Requests for Information.  The resulting
plan reflects a diversity of views and the breadth of research that will
be required to address the needs of people with ASD and their families.

Autism is a complex developmental disorder characterized by repetitive
behavior and pervasive impairments in language and the ability to relate
to others.  It is often grouped with related disorders, such as
Asperger's syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder, all of which
may be referred to collectively as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The
underlying causes of ASD are unclear and currently, there is no cure for
the disorders. Prevalence of ASDs has increased more than ten-fold over
the past two decades, according to estimates from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2007.

The IACC strategic plan is organized around six critically important
questions for people with ASD and their families regarding diagnosis,
the biology of autism, risk factors, treatments and interventions,
services and supports and questions about issues faced by adolescents,
adults and seniors with autism and their families.  Each question is
followed by a brief discussion of what is currently known and what more
is needed through research. The plan then states an aspirational goal
and describes research opportunities and objectives in each area.  Each
objective includes a professional judgment budget estimate, provided by
programmatic and agency experts.

Recommendations in the strategic plan include objectives to:  develop
new diagnostic tools; complete longitudinal and comprehensive studies of
the biological, clinical and developmental profiles of children;
identify genetic and environmental risk factors; conduct clinical trials
of interventions; and assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of
evidence-based services for people with ASD of all ages in community
settings.

Over the next year, the IACC will monitor the implementation of the
strategic plan and update the document for its annual release.

The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee Strategic Plan for Autism
Spectrum Disorder Research is available on the IACC Web site at
<www.iacc.hhs.gov>


The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) mission is to reduce the
burden of mental and behavioral disorders through research on mind,
brain, and behavior. More information is available at the NIMH website,
<http://www.nimh.nih.gov>.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) -- The Nation's Medical Research
Agency -- includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal
agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational
medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures
for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and
its programs, visit <www.nih.gov>.

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This NIH News Release is available online at:
<http://www.nih.gov/news/health/mar2009/nimh-05.htm> .