Brain-gut connection in autism

An association between rigid-compulsive behaviors and gastrointestinal symptoms in autism spectrum disorder may point to a common biological pathway that impacts both the brain and the gut.

Gore, Bernard receive research awards at Faculty Assembly

“Vanderbilt’s Nobel Prize,” the Earl Sutherland Prize for achievement in research, was awarded to John Gore at the Fall Faculty Assembly, while Gordon Bernard received the Thomas Jefferson Award for distinguished service to Vanderbilt.

Blood test for autism could speed diagnosis

Vanderbilt University is part of a multi-site autism clinical study designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a blood test that aims to screen children for referral for autism spectrum disorder evaluation (ASD) earlier and more accurately.

NIH grants bolster autism research, treatment efforts

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have received grant awards from the National Institutes of Health as part of the Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE) research program. The NIH announced grant awards of $100 million over five years to 11 centers nationwide, three of which feature projects from Vanderbilt Kennedy Center investigators, to further studies on autism treatment and intervention.

Photo: Conte Center Symposium

Little evidence supports medical treatment options for adolescents with autism

Despite studies that show that many adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorders are being prescribed medications, there is almost no evidence to show whether these medications are helpful in this population.