Dr. Jeanette Holden, a member of Queen's Department of Psychiatry, will lead one of 29 large scale CIHR multi-disciplinary team projects awarded across Canada. Holden's team – comprised of 41 partners from 23 institutions – will endeavour to identify genes involved in the susceptibility to autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Research has demonstrated that with intensive therapy in their preschool years, children with autism are indistinguishable from their peers on test scores by school age. However, ASD is difficult to diagnose and treatment is less effective at school age. If the team is successful in achieving its goal, a screening program could identify high risk infants, allowing them to receive the treatment they need and ultimately lead to the possible prevention of this condition.

Averaging 20 researchers per team, these multi-disciplinary projects bring together researchers from all disciplines of health to find answers to questions in a wide array of health issues such as health promotion, childhood injuries, community genetics, chronic illness in rural communities, diabetes among aboriginals, addiction and colorectal cancer.

"Building capacity in the four pillars of health research is the cornerstone of CIHR's mandate," stated Dr. Bernstein. "The multi-disciplinary team approach to health research questions expresses the true spirit of CIHR -- the research of Dr. Holden and her team will contribute to our growing knowledge of autism and work to improve the lives of those born with this condition."

"This significant funding commitment by CIHR to such an important area of public health is extremely gratifying," said Dr. Kerry Rowe, Queen's Vice-Principal (Research). "We are extremely proud that one of our researchers will lead this impressive multi-disciplinary team whose work holds such immense promise for improving quality of life for so many children."

Further funding opportunities will be available to health researchers at Queen's University later in 2001-2002 through CIHR's salary support and operating grant competitions. In addition, CIHR's 13 Institute Scientific Directors will be launching strategic initiatives later this year.