Uncovering environmental causes of autism

CHARGE (Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment) was launched in 2003 as a study of 1,000 to 2,000 children with differing patterns of development. The goal is to better understand the causes and contributing factors for autism or developmental delay. Three groups of children are being enrolled in the CHARGE study: children with autism, children with developmental delay who do not have autism and children from the general population. All of them are evaluated for a broad array of exposures and susceptibilities. 

Refining our understanding of environment-gene interactions

Little is known about what causes autism or developmental delay. We will learn how genes and the environment interact to change children’s behaviors and skills. By studying a large number of children, we will discover which particular genes and/or environmental exposures might result in non-typical patterns of development and special subtypes of autism or developmental delay. 

The participants

Children enrolled in the study must:

• Be between 24 and 60 months of age
• Have been born in California
• Have parents who speak either English or Spanish
• Live with at least one biological parent

Children with autism or developmental delay are identified with assistance from the California Department of Developmental Services’ Regional Centers. Other children come from the community at large. 

The evaluation

Children are assessed for their stage of social, intellectual and behavioral development. In addition, information is collected about chemicals in the environment at home and elsewhere, medical history, diet and other aspects of their lives, before and after birth. We also look at factors that may affect brain development, including cells in the immune system, chemicals that regulate the nervous system and lipids such as cholesterol.

Assessments are performed at the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute in Sacramento and an extensive interview is conducted by telephone.