News releases
April 2021
New test to study language development in youth with Down syndrome
April 8, 2021
A team led by UC Davis Health researchers tested and validated a new set of procedures for collecting, measuring and analyzing the spoken language of youth with Down syndrome in a naturalistic setting.
$15 million grant to renew center studying effects of maternal infections on offspring
April 7, 2021
Discovering how infections during pregnancy can lead to psychiatric illness and developmental disorders in offspring years later is the subject of a $15.7 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to the Conte Center at the University of California, Davis.
Study finds risk of leukemia higher than expected in children with Down syndrome
April 6, 2021
Down syndrome remains a strong risk factor for childhood leukemia, a new study led by UC Davis and UC San Francisco researchers has found.
March 2021
Study finds adolescents with autism may engage neural control systems differently
March 12, 2021
UC Davis Health researchers studying executive control in adolescents and young adults with autism have published new research that suggests a unique approach, rather than impairment.
Helping kids with autism transition back to in-person school: 10 tips
March 9, 2021
Many area schools are making plans to return to in-person instruction. After a year of distance learning, the transition may be tough for families, educators and students. Children with autism may face even greater challenges with the change. Here are resources and tips for easing that transition.
February 2021
Photo buttons help ease kids’ fears of providers in COVID-19 protective gear
February 11, 2021
Masks, face shields and other personal protective gear that health care providers must wear during the pandemic can intimidate some pediatric patients. Hoping to change that, Veronica Tuss, a child life specialist at the UC Davis MIND Institute, creates colorful photo buttons so that providers can share a smile with their patients while staying safe.
Programa de teleconferencias sobre el autismo ahora disponible en español (video)
February 5, 2021
Ahora el Instituto MIND de UC Davis está ofreciendo en español su programa interactivo de teleconferencias, conocido como ECHO. El objetivo es alcanzar a más proveedores de salud, en particular aquellos de habla hispana y en América Latina.
Fragile X premutation registry launches internationally (video)
February 3, 2021
The UC Davis MIND Institute and the National Fragile X Foundation have launched an international registry of people carrying the fragile X premutation. The goal is to facilitate and encourage research about the genetic condition to improve understanding and treatment.
Virtual autism teleconferencing program for providers now offered in Spanish (video)
February 2, 2021
The UC Davis MIND Institute is now offering its interactive autism teleconferencing program, known as ECHO, in Spanish. The goal is to reach more health care providers, particularly Spanish-speaking professionals and those in Latin America.
January 2021
Biomarkers in mother’s plasma could aid in early autism diagnosis and intervention
January 25, 2021
UC Davis MIND Institute researchers used machine learning to crunch 10,000 autoantibody pattern combinations to identify maternal biomarkers associated with a sub-type of autism. The findings have implications for early diagnosis and intervention.
MIND Institute and psychiatry researcher receives ‘early career’ honor
January 11, 2021
UC Davis’ Angela John Thurman has received the Early Career Award from the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The honor recognizes her considerable research contributions in the development of language, cognition and behavior.
December 2020
Big brains and white matter: New clues about autism subtypes
December 17, 2020
Researchers found that a long-accepted theory about brain size in some children with autism may not be true. In a separate study, they linked development of white matter with changes in autism symptom severity.
Gestational age linked to ADHD in children with Down syndrome
December 4, 2020
A new study by the UC Davis MIND Institute finds a connection between gestational age and ADHD in children with Down syndrome. An earlier gestational age is linked to higher ADHD symptoms later in childhood.
Lectures in Spanish to educate physicians and researchers about neurodevelopmental disabilities
December 1, 2020
The UC Davis MIND Institute is creating a new, bi-monthly Spanish-language lecture series about autism, fragile X and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. The effort is aimed at physicians and researchers, particularly those in Latin American countries.
November 2020
Expanding diversity, equity and inclusion at the UC Davis MIND Institute
November 13, 2020
The UC Davis MIND Institute has created a new committee and a grant program to increase diversity in its faculty and staff, while addressing inequities in access to care. The hope is to strengthen empathy, awareness and equity throughout its programs.
Families enjoy drive-through trunk-or-treat event at UC Davis MIND Institute
November 2, 2020
The UC Davis MIND Institute offered patients a drive-through trunk-or-treat experience — a safe alternative to traditional trick-or-treating during the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 2020
Cord blood DNA can hold clues for early ASD diagnosis and intervention
October 22, 2020
Specific regions in cord blood DNA can help identify kids who might develop autism.
COVID closures disproportionately affecting those with disabilities
October 21, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected people with intellectual and developmental disabilities because they depend on others for support in their daily lives.
For toddlers with autism, more intervention hours are not necessarily better
October 19, 2020
Two prominent early intervention models for toddlers with autism show a very similar impact, whether delivered at 15-hours or 25-hours per week intensities.
New four-year residential program for students with intellectual disabilities at UC Davis
October 12, 2020
A new, residential four-year college program for students with intellectual disabilities is the first of its kind in the west and is expected to serve as a model for other California schools.
Talent Showcase spotlights, connects kids with autism, ADHD
October 6, 2020
The UC Davis MIND Institute’s first-ever virtual showcase was a big success.
Excess folic acid during pregnancy harms brain development of mice
October 5, 2020
A study of pregnant mice found high levels of folic acid were associated with significant changes in brain development of offspring.
September 2020
Fragile X research icon empowers hundreds of women as a dedicated mentor
September 29, 2020
Few physicians have mentored as many women at UC Davis Health and around the world, as Randi Hagerman, professor, pediatrician and fragile X research icon at the MIND Institute. Her global reach has increased the understanding and awareness of neurodevelopmental disorders.
How COVID transforms the parent-teacher relationship in special education
September 21, 2020
Distance learning presents unique challenges for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, but some of the adaptations that teachers and parents are making could lead to long-term improvements in special education.
August 2020
Pregnant mother's immunity tied to behavioral, emotional challenges for kids with autism
August 14, 2020
Children with autism born to mothers who had immune conditions during their pregnancy are more likely to have behavioral and emotional problems, a UC Davis Health study has found. Offspring sex may also interact with maternal immune conditions to influence outcomes, particularly in terms of a child's cognition.
UC Davis MIND Institute event draws thousands of people from 15 countries
August 12, 2020
The UC Davis MIND Institute’s first virtual Summer Institute breaks records, reaching thousands of people in at least 15 countries.
GI symptoms linked to behavioral problems in children, especially those with autism
August 10, 2020
Common gastrointestinal symptoms are linked to troubling sleep problems, self-harm and physical complaints in preschool children. These symptoms are more common and potentially disruptive in young kids with autism.
July 2020
Advice from UC Davis experts to calm the anxieties of back-to-school during COVID-19 (video)
July 31, 2020
Kids get anxious when their lives are uncertain, and in this coronavirus era, almost everything is uncertain. Two experts help families work through the stress of an unprecedented back-to-school year.
Toy or therapy device? UC Davis Health researchers study effectiveness of fidget tools
July 29, 2020
A new UC Davis MIND Institute Study explores whether a high-tech fidget device increases focus and relieves anxiety in adults with ADHD, which is particularly relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic.
UC Davis LIVE on children, anxiety and going back to school
July 27, 2020
In this week’s UC Davis LIVE: COVID-19 two psychologists from the UC Davis MIND Institute will discuss how children and parents can manage the stress and anxiety of going back to school this fall.
Major grant for UC Davis Health center focused on disabilities research
July 24, 2020
An engine for interdisciplinary research: The UC Davis MIND Institute’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center is renewed with a $6.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.
UC Davis Health study seeks better detection of depression in children with autism
July 21, 2020
UC Davis Health researchers are hoping to create better interventions for children with autism who struggle with depression.
June 2020
Unexpected spectrum of mental illnesses found in patients with rare genetic disorder
June 24, 2020
UC Davis MIND Institute researchers found an unexpected spectrum of mental illnesses in patients with a rare gene mutation. These patients had a “double hit” condition that combined features and symptoms of fragile X syndrome and premutation disorder, in addition to a range of psychiatric symptoms.
Project Baby Bear shows genomic sequencing for infants in intensive care yields life-changing benefits and medical cost savings
June 18, 2020
In a pilot program funded by the State of California, Project Baby Bear demonstrated that a rapid precision medicine program for critically ill babies enrolled in Medi-Cal produced better health outcomes and reduced suffering for the infants while decreasing the cost of their care. UC Davis Children’s Hospital was one of five participating hospitals statewide in the pilot program. The pilot program was started at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego.
NIH grant funds a new study of infants at higher risk for ADHD and ASD
June 11, 2020
A $3.65 million grant from NIH to fund Meghan Miller’s study of autism and ADHD markers in babies.
Special performance on Facebook Live supports autism community
June 9, 2020
The Balcony theater group and the MIND Institute are hosting an event streamed on the MIND’s Facebook page in support of the autism community on June 13 at 5 p.m. PT. The event includes an expert panel discussion and a performance of Through Andrew’s Eyes play.
May 2020
Autism severity can change substantially during early childhood
May 28, 2020
Kids with autism may have a change in their symptom severity during childhood. Around 30% of them have less symptoms by age 6.
Depression symptoms linked to reduced cognitive control in people with autism
May 19, 2020
Symptoms of depression in young adults with autism were linked to less proactive cognitive control, a new UC Davis MIND Institute study has found.
UC Davis researchers get $3 million FAST grant to find treatment for Angelman syndrome
May 14, 2020
Two UC Davis researchers receive $3 million grant to find an effective treatment for Angelman syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder.
During COVID-19, online gaming helps teens with autism build their social skills
May 11, 2020
Online video gaming helps children with autism socialize during COVID-19.
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