Center for Supported Independence (CSI)

Researchers reveal first autism candidate gene that demonstrates sensitivity to s*x hormones

We are making headway with looking at genes to determine why Autism appears more in males than females.

Researchers Reveal First Autism Candidate Gene That Demonstrates Sensitivity to S*x Hormones
Source:
Journal of Molecular Psychiatry, Hu et al.
Link:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110216185402.htm
Date Published:
March 2011
Year Published:
2011


George Washington University researchers have found that male and female s*x hormones regulate expression of an important gene in neuronal cell culture through a mechanism that could explain not only higher levels of testosterone observed in some individuals with autism, but also why males have a higher incidence of autism than females.

The gene, RORA, encodes a protein that works as a "master switch" for gene expression, and is critical in the development of the cerebellum as well as in many other processes that are impaired in autism. Dr. Hu's earlier research found that RORA was decreased in the autistic brain. In this study, the research group demonstrates that aromatase, a protein that is regulated by RORA, is also reduced in autistic brains.

This is significant because aromatase converts testosterone to estrogen. Thus, a decrease in aromatase is expected to lead in part to build up of male hormones that, in turn, further decrease RORA expression, as demonstrated in this study using a neuronal cell model. On the other hand, female hormones were found to increase RORA in the neuronal cells. The researchers believe that females may be more protected against RORA deficiency not only because of the positive effect of estrogen on RORA expression, but also because estrogen receptors, which regulate some of the same genes as RORA, can help make up for the deficiency in RORA.

Researchers reveal first autism candidate gene that demonstrates sensitivity to s*x hormones Biochemists and molecular biologists have found that male and female s*x hormones regulate expression of an important gene in neuronal cell culture through a mechanism that could explain not only higher levels of testosterone observed in some individuals with autism, but also why males have a higher...

Executive Skills Development – Smart Kids with LD

Teaching organizational (executive skills) really nicely consolidated by the author of Smart But Scattered, which is a book about the same topic. This is a hard topic because skills are so innate to so many of us, but when they are hard for someone it can be a real hindrance to their adult life.

Executive Skills Development – Smart Kids with LD A psychologist offers practical advice for improving the skills your child needs to function independently. www.smartkidswithld.org

Center For Supported Independence

Hey! Check out our awesome new website with lots of information about who we are as an organization - www.csi-mn.org.

Center For Supported Independence It is our belief that having a job gives our lives meaning and purpose. We want to help you gain the skills you need to find and keep a job that capitalizes on your strengths, while respecting your limitations. We want you to be a part of a work environment that will help you grow and at the same ...

About Aspergers...

Have you been watching Glee this season? They have a new character, name Sugar, with "self-diagnosed Asperger's." Her character says mean and inappropriate things and then says, "Asperger's!" I am not finding this very funny nor enlightening. What do you think? Here is a link to a forum on the Fox website where more fans have weighed in - http://glee.community.fox.com/go/thread/view/100198/28288251/About_Aspergers...&post_num=3

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Readers’ Questions About Autism

A follow-up to the article from 2 weeks ago answering readers questions about autism

Readers’ Questions About Autism The New York Times has received hundreds of letters in response to an article about a 22-year-old New Jersey man who has autism and is struggling to be independent.

Putting adults with autism to work

An interesting column about the similar goals, and names, of organizations both here in the US and in the UK for getting adults with autism successfully employed.

Putting adults with autism to work Putting adults with autism to work

We're moving into the Autism Society of Minnesota on Monday! We are so excited to be partnering with such a great organization. Thanks for having us AUSM.

Kick-Off Event September 25th, 2011

We are getting very excited to see everyone at Ellen and David's on Sunday! Hope you can make it.

The day has finally arrived for the Center for Supported Independence to open its doors and we need your help! Please join us for a kick-off fundraising party to help with start-up funds for this much needed resource in our community.
When: Sunday, September 25th 2-4pm
Where: The Mundt’s – 5309 Forslin Drive, Edina 55436

Check out our official logo! Thanks Reid!

We are going to run another round of pilot workshops at AUSM this summer. Stay tuned for more information!

Thanks Lilly Mercer, Ellen Doudiet Mundt, and AUSM for making last night such a success! What a great first workshop!

First CSI workshop this Wednesday night at AUSM! Here we go!

Cali 2011

Ellen and I went to visit several residential programs in the Bay Area. We learned so much and made some new friends!

Here are the links to the programs we visited - The Center for Adaptive Learning http://www.centerforadaptivelearning.org/ and The College Internship Program http://www.collegeinternshipprogram.com/ Both of these programs serve adults with high functioning forms of autism and both are residential.

Home

Ellen Doudiet Mundt and I just got back from visiting two programs in the Bay Area of California. We learned so much and made some great new connections!

Home Center for Adaptive Learning, Concord, CA, A key to individual potential for adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities

Thank you all who liked our page! We are just so excited to get this organization off the ground!