JFK Partners joins launch of Spark, nation's largest autism research study

JFK Partners at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, CO recently helped launch SPARK, an online research initiative designed to become the largest autism study ever undertaken in the United States. Sponsored by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI), SPARK will collect information and DNA for genetic analysis from 50,000 individuals with autism—and their families—to advance our understanding of the causes of this condition and to hasten the discovery of supports and treatments.

JFK Partners is one of 21 leading national research institutions chosen by SFARI to assist with recruitment. The SPARK effort is being led locally by Susan Hepburn, PhD, associate professor at CU School of Medicine and director of research at JFK Partners; Sandra Friedman, MD, MPH, professor of pediatrics, director of JFK Partners, and section head of developmental pediatrics at Children's Hospital Colorado; and Cordelia Robinson Rosenberg, PhD, RN, professor of pediatrics and psychiatry.

"SPARK empowers researchers to make new discoveries that ultimately will lead to the development of new supports and treatments to improve lives, which makes it one of the most insightful research endeavors to date, in addition to being the largest genetic research initiative in the U.S.," says Dr. Hepburn.

"We have seen a significant increase in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)," says Dr. Friedman. "We have over 6,000 patient visits in the Developmental Pediatrics' clinical program at Children's Hospital Colorado, many of which include diagnostic and medical assessments, follow-up, and different types of treatment for children with ASD. This project provides us with additional opportunity to improve our understanding of the genetics of this disorder and ultimately improve the lives of individuals with ASD and their families."

Autism is known to have a strong genetic component. To date, approximately 50 genes have been identified that almost certainly play a role in autism, and scientists estimate that an additional 300 or more are involved. By studying these genes, associated biological mechanisms and how genetics interact with environmental factors, researchers can better understand the condition's causes, and link them to the spectrum of symptoms, skills and challenges of those affected.

SPARK aims to speed up autism research by inviting participation from this large, diverse autism community, with the goal of including individuals with a professional diagnosis of autism of both sexes and all ages, backgrounds, races, geographic locations and socioeconomic situations.

SPARK will connect participants to researchers, offering them the unique opportunity to impact the future of autism research by joining any of the multiple studies offered through SPARK.

The initiative will catalyze research by creating large-scale access to study participants whose DNA may be selectively analyzed for a specific scientific question of interest.

SPARK also will elicit feedback from individuals and parents of children with autism to develop a robust research agenda that is meaningful for them.

Anyone interested in learning more about SPARK or in participating can visit http://www.SPARKforAutism.org/JFKPartners, email spark@ucdenver.edu or call us at 303-724-7366.

Provided by Children's Hospital Colorado