<<Disclaimer:  Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

     Dr. Reed Warren, a Professor at Utah State University, has been
studying the genetics of autism for several years.  He has NIH funding
for studying some additional families, and due to the recent research
on the possible connection between gluten/casein and some cases of
autism, he has become particularly interested in studying families with
autism and gluten intolerance in the same family or individual.  He has
asked me to post this note to solicit new research subjects.   Here are
the steps to take if you want to learn more:

Step One - Determine if you are interested in applying to be a research
subject.

     There is no cost to participate, but only a limited number of
families can be studied so there is an application process.  Your
immediate family must have at least one autistic person, and one gluten
intolerant person (could be the same person) to participate.  If there
are more applicants than available slots, preference will be given to
biopsy-confirmed Celiacs rather than generic gluten intolerance.  Every
family member will have blood drawn and shipped to Dr. Warren's lab for
analysis.

     You will be provided with a complete HLA typing of each family
member, and some general information about to what extent each HLA type
you have is known to be associated with increased risk for Celiac,
autism, juvenile diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus, myasthenia
gravis, rheumatoid arthritis and other genetically influenced
disorders.

     Although there is no absolute proof, some researchers believe that
autism is the result of a genetic predisposition along with some type
of triggering event.  Some triggering events which have been discussed
(but not absolutely proven) include gluten & casein in the diet,
certain viral infections, excessive antibiotics giving rise to yeast
overgrowth, certain immunizations, and other factors.  For those of you
who are thinking of having more children, or who have young children,
the HLA information may be of value in attempting to avoid such a
triggering event in genetically susceptible children.  Since Dr. Warren
is doing a research project rather than practicing medicine, he cannot
give any individual advise, nor can he guarantee any particular value
to the results of the study.

     Of course, those participating will also have the satisfaction of
knowing that they have assisted in the advancement of knowledge on
autism.  Hopefully this will be of direct benefit to children all over
the world.  Also, HLA typing is rather expensive to do privately, and
you will have this done for free.

     If you would like more information about Dr. Warren, including his
curriculum vitae and an electronic copy of an article he has written
about his research, email me privately at [log in to unmask] with a copy
to me at [log in to unmask] (do not reply to the entire Celiac list!).

Step Two - Apply for Participation in the Research

     Once you have determined that you qualify and would like to
participate, send an email to me privately at [log in to unmask] with a
copy to me at [log in to unmask] (do not reply to the entire Celiac
list!).

     I will email you back a short application form which you would
fill out and email directly to Dr. Warren.  Please do not send me any
private or confidential information about your family -- all such
information will go directly to Dr. Warren and will be treated
confidentially within established research criteria.  If you know
someone who is not on-line and would like to participate, please get an
application form for them.  They can send it in to Dr. Warren via
'snail-mail'.

Bill Elkus