Ignite Creation Date:
2024-05-05 @ 5:28 PM
Last Modification Date:
2024-10-26 @ 9:32 AM
Study NCT ID:
NCT00464477
Status:
COMPLETED
Last Update Posted:
2007-11-07
First Post:
2007-04-20
Brief Title:
Advanced Grandparental Age as a Risk Factor for Autism
Sponsor:
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Organization:
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Study Overview
Official Title:
Advanced Grandparental Age as a Risk Factor for Autism and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Status:
COMPLETED
Status Verified Date:
2007-11
Last Known Status:
None
Delayed Posting:
No
If Stopped, Why?:
Not Stopped
Has Expanded Access:
False
If Expanded Access, NCT#:
N/A
Has Expanded Access, NCT# Status:
N/A
Acronym:
None
Brief Summary:
The Division of Medical Genetics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center is recruiting parents of children with a pervasive developmental disorder including autism autistic spectrum disorder PDD-NOS Asperger syndrome childhood disintegrative disorder and Rett syndrome to participate in a study to help determine potential causes of the increasing prevalence of these disorders The study is being conducted using an anonymous on-line survey available to parents through a secure link
The study consists of approximately 90 questions about the affected child siblings parents and grandparents which will take roughly 10-15 minutes to complete Several families will also be invited to participate in a phone interview Both the survey and the phone interview are conducted using a self-designated code to protect anonymity and patient privacy No identifying information such as name date of birth address or phone number will be asked Only questions regarding the year of birth of family members will be asked
The study consists of approximately 90 questions about the affected child siblings parents and grandparents which will take roughly 10-15 minutes to complete Several families will also be invited to participate in a phone interview Both the survey and the phone interview are conducted using a self-designated code to protect anonymity and patient privacy No identifying information such as name date of birth address or phone number will be asked Only questions regarding the year of birth of family members will be asked
Detailed Description:
Autism is a genetically heterogeneous entity Although numerous studies have demonstrated a strong genetic basis no clear etiology has been identified to date Recently two studies have demonstrated an increased risk of autism in children born to fathers over the age of 40 However given the large male-to-female predominance of autism it is likely that new mutations on the X chromosome account for a significant number of affected cases Due to the maternal origin of the X chromosome in males we hypothesize that advanced maternal-grandpaternal age may also be a risk factor for autism Precedence for this theory exists with other X-linked disorders such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Rett syndrome Additionally it has been demonstrated that maternal psychiatric illness but not paternal psychiatric illness is more prevalent among parents of children with autism Using anonymous surveys of families with autistic children we seek to identify the ages of grandparents at the time the parents were born in order to determine if advanced maternal-grandpaternal age is associated with an increased risk for autism when adjusted for advanced maternal and paternal age Additionally we will seek out sister-pairs in order to identify any statistical significance between the ages of the maternal grandfather at delivery of each sister If advanced maternal-grandpaternal age is in fact a risk factor it would help direct molecular researchers towards genes on the X chromosome as potential etiologies for autism Also further study of potential mutagenic exposures in the environment of grandparents may help elucidate the reason for the increasing incidence of autism in recent decades
Study Oversight
Has Oversight DMC:
None
Is a FDA Regulated Drug?:
None
Is a FDA Regulated Device?:
None
Is an Unapproved Device?:
None
Is a PPSD?:
None
Is a US Export?:
None
Is an FDA AA801 Violation?:
None