Michael Brimacombe, PhD¹, X. Ming, MD PhD², Amisha Parikh³, Michelle Lamendola³, and Mary Leigh Anne Daniels³. (1) Preventive Medicine, New Jersey Medical School & School of Public Health - UMDNJ, 185 S. Orange Ave. (MSB F-647), P.O. Bo x 1709, Newark, NJ 07101-1709, 973-972-5229, brimacmb@umdnj.edu, (2) Neurology, New Jersey Medical School, 185 S. Orange Ave, P.O. Box 1709, Newark, NJ 07101-1709, (3) Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health - UMDNJ, 185 S. Orange Ave., Newark, NJ 07101-1709

Autism is a primarily neurologic illness whose cause remains unknown. It is defined as a syndrome and is viewed as heterogeneous in nature. Much research has focused on potential genetic causes. Here we describe efforts to define clinical subtypes in autism as a means of limiting heterogeneity and focusing research efforts. Using a detailed biomedical, physician validated, database of 300 patients, differences from controls in autonomic response, prenatal history optimality and other medical conditions have been found. We report these findings as well as the derivation and analysis of underlying factors defining potential sub-types of autism.

Learning Objectives:

• Review Epidemiology, clinical overview of autism and current autism research.
• Increase awareness of efforts to assess clinical subtypes in autism as a means of focusing genetic and other research efforts.
• Learn how statistical methods are used to assess underlying clinical factors in autism.

Keywords: Birth Defects, Epidemiology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.