Translational Genomics Research Institute to Conduct Largest Autism Genome Scan; Research Supported by Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center and Hensley

PHOENIX (July 19, 2004) – The National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) today announced the selection of Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) as partners in the NAAR Autism Genome Project, largest study ever to focus on the genetics of autism.

The first phase of the NAAR Autism Genome Project, a research partnership between NAAR and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), consists of two scans of the human genome for autism susceptibility genes. The first of these scans is being conducted by TGen, which is receiving approximately 6,000 genetic samples of individuals with autism from around the world for genome scanning using the latest in DNA array technology from Affymetrix Inc. SARRC has made a $150,000 commitment in support of the DNA array scan.

Officials from TGen and SARRC believe their selection as partners in the project will position Arizona and the Greater Phoenix community as the international hub for autism research.

The NAAR Autism Genome Project includes DNA samples from more than 1,500 multiplex families (families having two or more children with autism) and involves more than 170 researchers from 50 institutions in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Denmark and Germany that have pooled their DNA samples in a collaborative effort. NAAR expects initial results from the DNA array scan by early 2005.

"We are honored to be partnering with TGen and SARRC in our efforts to better understand the genetic causes of autism," said Prisca Chen Marvin, chair of the NAAR Board of Trustees and the parent of a child with autism. "Understanding the cause is paramount to our ability to biologically diagnose autism, develop medical treatments that help children and adults effectively manage the disorder and find a cure. That is what the NAAR Autism Genome Project is all about."

Leading the DNA array scan is Dr. Dietrich Stephan, senior investigator and director of TGen's Neurogenomics Division, which is focused on autism, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders and diseases.

"This is a new age in medical research," said Dr. Stephan. "Patients, researchers and doctors from around the world have banded together to finally crack the mystery of what causes autism and TGen will provide the horsepower."

Helping to bring this unprecedented partnership to Arizona was the generous financial support of Phoenix-based Hensley, an Anheuser-Busch beer distributor. The Hensley Employee Foundation pledged $150,000 to SARRC, which was allocated for the NAAR Autism Genome Project.

"Hensley is pleased to contribute to this international effort that holds promise for significant advancements in research to determine the underlying cause of autism," said Bob Delgado, president of Hensley. "As a company that believes we have an obligation to give back to our community, this opportunity was a perfect fit."

Hensley’s chairperson, Cindy McCain, has focused her philanthropic efforts primarily on children, which made the collaboration with SARRC and TGen a natural fit for the company. Additionally, Senator John McCain championed Arizona's successful efforts to locate TGen in Phoenix and recognized early on the enormous potential and tangential economic benefits the organization could bring to the state.

In addition to the NAAR Autism Genome Project, SARRC and TGen have teamed up on the SARRC/TGen genetic and molecular study on autism, which is now underway. SARRC is actively recruiting 1,000 children with autism and 1,000 typical children to serve as controls for this three-pronged study.

"After living with autism for more than a decade and wrestling with far more questions than answers, I have never been more hopeful," said Denise D. Resnik, co-founder and president of SARRC and mother of a child with autism. "By early next year, we will likely know more than ever about the genetic underpinnings of this devastating neurobiological disorder. Our next major steps will be to determine how to better treat our special children and, ultimately, how to stop this epidemic."

Autism is largely considered the most heritable neurological disorders, however the causes of autism are not known and there are no ways to biologically diagnose the disorder. Also, there are no specific medical treatments for autism and no cures for the disorder. Autism is typically diagnosed by the age of two or three and is considered a spectrum disorder because symptoms and severity vary from individual to individual.

Most people with autism spectrum disorders require lifelong supervision and care and the most severely affected will never be able speak. Recent studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that autism spectrum disorders are approximately 10 times more prevalent than they were just 10 years ago. Autism spectrum disorders affect people of all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds and occur in as many as one in every 166 births.

About TGen
TGen is a not-for-profit research institute whose primary mission is to make and translate genomic discoveries into advances in human health. Translational genomics research is a relatively new field employing innovative advances arising from the Human Genome Project to apply to the development of diagnostics, prognostics and therapies for cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes and other complex diseases.

About SARRC
Established in 1997, the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) is a nonprofit, Phoenix-based organization dedicated to autism research, education and resources for children and young adults with autistic disorders and their families. SARRC undertakes self-directed and collaborative research projects, serves as a satellite site for national and international projects, and provides up-to-date information, training and assistance to families and professionals about autism and related disorders. For more information, call (602) 340-8717 or visit www.autismcenter.org.

About Hensley
Founded in 1955, Hensley has succeeded at all levels of business and, in the process, become one of the leading corporate citizens in the Phoenix area. It is the 12th largest privately held company in the state. Jim Hensley began the company with 15 employees and, in the first year of operation, sold 73,000 cases of Anheuser-Busch products. In nearly 50 years, Hensley has grown to more than 600 employees and is the largest contiguous-territory Anheuser-Busch wholesaler in the country. For more information, visit www.hensley.com.

About NAAR
Established in 1994, the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) is the first non-profit organization in the country dedicated to funding and accelerating biomedical research for autism spectrum disorders. The organization was established by parents of children with autism concerned about the limited amount of funding for autism research. To date, NAAR has committed $21.1 million in grants for biomedical research projects worldwide that seek to find the causes, prevention, effective treatments and, ultimately, cure for autism spectrum disorders – more than any other non-governmental entity. Walk F.A.R. for NAAR is the organization’s signature fundraising and autism awareness event, which is held annually in numerous communities across the United States. Additionally, NAAR was instrumental in establishing the Autism Tissue Program, a parent-led brain tissue donation program for autism research.

CONTACTS:

Galen P. Perry, TGen, (602) 343-8423
Denise D. Resnik, SARRC, (602) 956-8834
Joe Guzzardo, NAAR, (609) 430-9160, Ext. 17