News from UC Davis Health

September 2021

Veronica Ahumada brings human-robot interaction expertise to UC Davis Health

September 16, 2021

Veronica Ahumada joined UC Davis Health this year and brought her expertise in health informatics and human-robot interaction to the UC Davis Center for Health and Technology. She will be growing her research through two exciting grant-funded projects involving robots.

August 2021

California’s stem cell agency funds research into Angelman syndrome and bioprint pacemaker

August 26, 2021

Professors David Segal and Deborah Lieu have received Discovery Stage Research Projects awards from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). The grants will fund cell gene therapy for Angelman syndrome and building the first biopacemaker

Tips to help kids with autism transition back to in-person school

August 17, 2021

As kids head back to full-day, in-person school for the first time in over a year, things will look different. The transition is challenging for many students, particularly those with neurodevelopmental conditions. MIND Institute experts have some tips to help.

Annual MIND Summer Institute program a major success (video)

August 12, 2021

The UC Davis MIND Institute recently held its annual Summer Institute on Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, a learning program that brings together experts, advocates, caregivers and families. This year’s virtual event highlighted strategies for improving mental health.

July 2021

UC Davis psychology chair named to key federal committee on autism

July 9, 2021

Susan Rivera, psychology professor and chair and faculty member of the MIND Institute and Center for Mind and Brain, has been named to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. The federal committee provides guidance and recommendations on autism research, services, and policy.

Tips for a sensory-friendly July 4th

July 1, 2021

The Fourth of July is often characterized by fireworks, parades and celebrations, which can be challenging for some individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. A UC Davis MIND Institute expert offers some tips to make the holiday celebrations more comfortable.

June 2021

New COVID-19 vaccine clinic for people with autism, other neurodevelopmental conditions (video)

June 24, 2021

The UC Davis MIND Institute is offering a new COVID-19 vaccine clinic for individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. The clinic will offer a comfortable experience for families, including sensory support and specially trained staff.

Long-standing genomic medicine partnership expands specialty care for children in region

June 22, 2021

A seven-year telemedicine partnership between the UC Davis MIND Institute and Dignity Health ensures that more children with genetic disorders receive quick, convenient specialty care. The success is due to high-quality robots and a commitment to improving access to genomic medicine.

Local foundation awards $1.25 million to MIND Institute to study rare genetic condition

June 21, 2021

RDM Positive Impact Foundation is sponsoring a $1.25 million project at the UC Davis MIND Institute to advance research about SYNGAP1, a rare genetic condition that impacts the brain across the lifespan. An interdisciplinary team is seeking revolutionary solutions.

MIND Institute brain bank focused on autism, diversity, education and research

June 7, 2021

The new CENE Brain Bank, supported by the MIND Institute, aims to increase the diversity of brain tissue available for research about autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. The project includes collection sites in Latin American countries.

El banco de cerebros en el Instituto MIND se concentra en autismo, diversidad, educación e investigación

June 7, 2021

El nuevo banco de cerebros CENE, apoyado por el Instituto MIND, tiene como objetivo aumentar la diversidad del tejido cerebral disponible para la investigación sobre el autismo y otros trastornos del neurodesarrollo. El proyecto incluye sitios de recolección en países de América Latina.

Rapid whole genome sequencing leads to better outcomes for babies, lower medical costs

June 4, 2021

A study published today outlined the success of Project Baby Bear, a real-world quality improvement program designed to test the clinical and economic value of using rapid Whole Genome Sequencing to diagnose and guide treatment for infants with unexplained rare disease.

Unleashed: how a doggie day care was the perfect fit for employee and employer (video)

June 2, 2021

For one woman with autism, a job at a local doggie daycare has provided purpose. The opportunity resulted from an innovative UC Davis MIND Institute program, which connects employers and agencies eager to support workers with developmental disabilities.

May 2021

Air quality linked to increased risk of Alzheimer's

May 19, 2021

A study led by UC Davis toxicologist Pamela Lein found a link between traffic-related air pollution and an increased risk for age-related dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. More than 5 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer's disease.

New college program for students with intellectual disabilities accepting applications

May 17, 2021

Applications are now being accepted for Redwood SEED Scholars, a brand-new, four-year college program for students with intellectual disabilities. The inclusive program includes living on campus, attending traditional classes and work opportunities. Applications are due June 4.

UC Davis MIND Institute to host inaugural stem cell, gene therapy conference

May 11, 2021

The UC Davis MIND Institute is now accepting abstracts for its first-ever Stem Cell and Gene Therapy for Neurodevelopmental Disorders Conference. The September event will feature both in-person and virtual options and will focus on the development of treatments for genetic disorders.

MIND Institute honored by Chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts (video)

May 4, 2021

The UC Davis MIND Institute received a department-wide award from the UC Davis Chancellor’s Office for its significant efforts to increase diversity, equity and inclusion. Recent efforts include grants, healing circles and outreach to the medically underserved.

April 2021

MIND Institute study of anxiety in children with autism now includes online treatment

April 20, 2021

The UC Davis MIND Institute is now offering online treatment as part of its clinical trial known as the STAAR study. The trial will compare the effectiveness of the medication sertraline and cognitive behavioral therapy in treating anxiety in children with autism.

MIND Institute showcases research, gives tour during virtual open house (video)

April 14, 2021

The UC Davis MIND Institute offered a behind-the-scenes virtual tour of its clinic, labs and facility recently. The event also featured research updates and a live question and answer session, and is available for anyone to view online.

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.

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.

News releases