VIDEO:The University Of Mississippi Medical Center Is Taking A Big Step In Autism Research

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The University of Mississippi Medical Center is helping to build a registry of information to help autism research.

It’s one of twenty-one institutions participating in the program.

It’s called “spark” and the goal is to build a registry of genetic information from individuals with autism and their families.

“By spitting in a saliva collection kit is where we get out genetic information from. We’re going to be looking for about 50 hot-spots in the individuals’ DNA from the parents and the person with ASD. That in turn, if something comes up,  what we’re going to do is share that information back with the families so that they can give it to their physicians,” says UMMC Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Dr. Dustin Sarver.

The program will also provide a library of resources for families wanting to know more about autism.

To get involved with the research you can click here.