Written answers

Wednesday, 17 October 2007

Department of Health and Children

Health Research

9:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 224: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the extent of the research into the high incidence of autism here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24469/07]

Photo of Jimmy DevinsJimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There has been an increase in recent years in the numbers of children being diagnosed with autism in Ireland. Similar increases have also been experienced in other European countries and in the USA. What is not clear however, is whether the increase is due to a greater awareness or whether there is actually a true increase in the prevalence of autism. It is however recognised that the epidemiology of Autistic Spectrum Disorder is undergoing rapid change due in whole or part to better ascertainment and re-clarification.

The diagnosis is a clinical one i.e. it is based on a variety of observations rather than a defined laboratory investigation. Hence the evolving concept of an "autistic spectrum" which stretches from those severely affected to those with only a mild disability.

In December 2004, the Department of Health & Children, through the Health Research Board, approved expenditure of €5 million on autism research to help improve international understanding of the genetic causes of autism. This €5 million is the Irish contribution to a new major international research initiative called the Autism Genome Project which will receive a total investment of €12 million from a variety of international organisations over the next three years. The other co-funders in the international consortium include Autism Speaks (US), the British Medical Research Council (MRC), Genome Canada and Partners, Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), Southwest Autism Research and Resource Centre (SARRC), and the Hilibrand Foundation. This unique combination of international, public and private partners funding a consortium of clinicians and scientists is a new and welcome departure in the field of autism research.

The Health Research Board has informed my Department that this funding was awarded as follows:—

€2.8m: Professor Michael Gill, Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College, Dublin.

€2.2m: Professor Andrew Green, Director National Centre for Medical Genetics, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin (affiliated to UCD).

This figure represents the largest tranche of funding to be awarded by any of the four funders within the international consortium. The Irish researchers are at the forefront in unravelling the genetic determinants of autism and related disorders. They are using novel state-of-the-art genetic sequencing technology to analyse DNA samples taken from autistic patients to identify candidate genetic markers for autism. They will collaborate with their international colleagues to then link these genetic markers with clinical outcomes. This unique international research effort will greatly improve not only our understanding of the causes of autism, but its diagnosis and treatment.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.