Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects a growing number of Canadians. A generous donation from the Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation will create a new partnership between researchers at The Neuro and the University of British Columbia (UBC), who will collaborate to advance drug discovery in ASD in an open science framework.听 The aim of the donation is to help scientists generate ASD research data that will be shared globally.
Inspired by the promise of the global open science movement and leadership role of The Neuro, The Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation Autism Spectrum Disorder Drug Discovery Fund will support the development of new expertise in autism research in The Neuro鈥檚 Open Drug Discovery Platform. Researchers in the platform have proven expertise in working with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and developing assays to screen for promising targets for drug therapies.听 Now this promising new avenue of discovery will be applied to autism spectrum disorders. 听
As part of The Neuro鈥檚 open science policy, data produced by The Neuro and UBC scientists through this partnership will be shared so that the worldwide community of researchers can use the data to develop therapies for ASD. This will ensure this work has the maximum chance of leading to concrete breakthroughs in the treatment of ASD.
Autism research is a major priority for The Neuro. Scientists have a lot to learn about what causes autism, specifically what role genes and environment play in the development of the disorder. Effective treatments for its often-debilitating effects are lacking. This donation will strengthen our knowledge of autism, helping autistic people lead better lives.
鈥淚 first became aware of the seriousness of ASD when a good friend鈥檚 daughter was given the painful diagnosis of severe autism more than 20 year ago,鈥� says Hamid Eshghi, President of the Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation.听鈥淪ince that time, I have learned of many similar stories and, have come to learn that, while many more children are being diagnosed with ASD in recent years than in the past, there remains little understanding of the disorder, its causes, and effective treatments.鈥�
鈥淲e are proud of our relationship with 91社区 and The Neuro, and it pleases us to announce this first significant gift outside the province of British Columbia.听 It is also very gratifying to know that the research carried out at The Neuro will be shared with the scientists at the University of British Columbia.鈥�
鈥淭he support of the Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation is pivotal, with an impact far beyond The Neuro.听 It is the beginning of a new partnership in open science,鈥� says Dr. Guy Rouleau, Director of The Neuro. 听鈥淭hanks to this donation, we will be better equipped to harness important insights and increase the pace of drug discovery for the benefit of millions of people around the world living with ASD - as well as their families.鈥�
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is said to be a 鈥渄evelopmental disorder鈥� because symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life. Based on 2015听data, it is estimated that 1 in听66 Canadian children and youth ages 5-17 have been diagnosed with ASD.
