Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele

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. Read More

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. Read More

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. Read More

(photo by Anne Rayner) Randy Blakely, Ph.D., left, shares a laugh with Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele, M.D., and Elisabeth Dykens, Ph.D., at the fifth annual Conte Center Symposium, held recently in the Vanderbilt Law School’s Flynn Auditorium. Entitled “The Younger Games: Serotonin Science Comes of Age,” the symposium featured presentations by… Read More

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. Read More

There is insufficient evidence to support findings, good or bad, for therapies currently used in adolescents and young adults with autism. Read More

A combination of biomarkers may reveal new clues about causes of and potential interventions for autism. Read More

Autism experts from Vanderbilt University are available for interviews on World Autism Awareness Day, designated by the United Nations as April 2. Read More

A genetic variation that causes early disruptions in serotonin signaling in the brain may contribute to autism spectrum disorder and other enduring effects on behavior. Read More

Although an evaluation of existing treatments for children with autism spectrum disorders found positive results in some studies, better information is needed to target the right treatments to specific children. Read More

Left to right: Karen Gregory, Elizabeth Hammock, Peilin Jia, John Panos Eight Vanderbilt University scientists have won 2010 Young Investigator Awards from NARSAD, the world’s leading mental health research charity. Each scientist will receive up to $60,000 over two years for innovative brain and behavioral studies of serious psychiatric disorders. Read More