Autism breakthrough: Researchers identify possible treatment for impaired sociability, a symptom of autism

EVMS researchers have identified a potential novel treatment strategy for the social impairment of people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), an aspect of the condition that has a profound impact on quality of life.

"Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders are either disinterested in social interactions or find them unpleasant. They often don't understand what other people are thinking or feeling and misinterpret social cues," said Stephen I. Deutsch, MD, PhD, the Ann Robinson Chair and professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. "Sadly, persons with autism spectrum disorders are often painfully aware of their limited sociability, which can lead to profound feelings of sadness and frustration."

As part of their research, EVMS scientists verified that a specific mouse strain, known as the BALB/c mouse, is a valid animal model of the limited sociability seen in persons with ASD. In the presence of another mouse, BALB/c mice move as far away as possible and do not interact as normal mice do - just like people with autism often avoid making social contact with other people.

This finding gave researchers a way to test whether an existing medication can alter the function of certain receptors in the brain known to affect sociability and help the animals be more at ease around others. The medication used, D-Cycloserine, originally was developed to treat tuberculosis, but previous studies showed, by chance, that it might change social behavior. In preliminary studies at EVMS, the medication appeared to resolve the Balb/c mouse's deficits of sociability; it behaved as a normal mouse would when placed near another.

Dr. Deutsch will discuss the research at EVMS' Quarterly Autism Education Series at noon, Dec. 14, in the school's Hofheimer Hall auditorium.

EVMS' laboratory studies with the Balb/c mouse led its investigators to hypothesize that D-Cycloserine could ease the impaired sociability of persons with autism, such as avoiding eye contact and personal interaction. Those traits can severely limit the possibility of employment and independent living for someone with autism.

"What makes this important is you might have someone with a 125 or 130 IQ who's unemployable" because of their social impairments, said Maria R. Urbano, MD, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences.

Dr. Urbano is moving this promising research from the laboratory directly to patient care by starting a pilot clinical trial of D-Cycloserine in adolescent and young adult patients with autism spectrum disorders. The trial will show whether the medication, which is already known to be safe for use in humans, has similar effects on the sociability deficits of persons with autism as it did in the mice. Her research is supported by a grant from the Hampton Roads Community Foundation.

Beazley Foundation donates $1 million to EVMS cancer research center

The Beazley Foundation has donated $1 million to EVMS’ cancer research center. Named in honor of a long-time foundation board member and community leader, the Leroy T. Canoles Jr. Cancer Research Center will be housed in the new medical education and research building. The program will build on EVMS’ work toward developing new cancer diagnostics, identifying biomarkers that indicate certain cancers and enhancing our understanding of other forms of the disease. More information.

The Commonwealth Health Research Board (CHRB) announces the 2011-2012 grant guidelines

Grant Guidelines are now posted on the CHRB website at www.chrb.org for July 1, 2011 awards.

Since only fifteen (15) papers are allowed per institution, please inform Yolanda Demory ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and Deb McDonald (  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) of your intent to submit a concept paper no later than Tuesday, August 31st.

The Office of Sponsored Programs will need the final version of your five page concept paper for review no later than Friday, September 10th. Please note that an internal detailed budget and EVMS OSP forms will NOT be required at this time.  A detailed budget will only be required if CHRB requests that you submit a full proposal at a later date.

If more than 15 concept papers are submitted, the EVMS Research Committee will meet to review and select 15 papers.   Questions about the CHRB guidelines or application process may be emailed to  Deb McDonald (  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and Yolanda Demory (  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

For more detailed information click here .

Southeastern Virginia Biomedical Technology Partnership Forum

EVMS, along with the Federal Lab Consortium Mid-Atlantic Region, Hampton Roads Partnership and NASA Langley Research Center, is sponsoring a meeting on June 15 for Federal agencies/labs, academia, and private sector firms engaged in biomedical technology diagnosis and treatment who are looking for biomedical technology development partners. Participants will come together at the Jefferson Lab and present information regarding  unique resources available in southeastern Virginia.  Topics include bioimaging, biotechnology standards, novel therapeutics for wound healing, coating for implantable devices, cancer treatment, modeling/simulation for health care, restorative medical technology for wounded warfighters, and more.  Participating organizations include Eastern Virginia Medical School, Hampton University, Jefferson Labs, NASA, NIST, and Old Dominion University.

The meeting will start at 8:15 am with an opening address by State Senator Mark Herring.

This forum is open to all researchers at EVMS; the registration fee of $15 includes refreshments and lunch.  Register now and/or view the agenda at www.hrtc.org/en/cev/486.  Deadline for registration is close of business Thursday June 10, 2010.

Sad dads research: fathers also experience postpartum depression

His analysis shows that about 10 percent of fathers experience prenatal or postpartum depression. The first 3 months postpartum show the lowest rates of depression (7.7 percent), while the 3- to 6-month postpartum period shows the highest rate (25.6 percent).

EVMS receives more than $1 million in federal funds to develop a new approach to reverse Type 1 diabetes

Thursday, 25 March 2010

EVMS cancer research in the spotlight

Monday, 15 March 2010

O. John Semmes, PhD, director of the EVMS Cancer Biology and Infectious Disease Research Center, will be a featured speaker at the April 14 meeting of the BioScience Forum of Hampton Roads. The meeting, held on the ODU campus, will focus on diagnostic and therapeutic cancer technologies in Hampton Roads. Dr. Semmes will discuss integrating biotechnology into translational cancer research.

Register online for the event.

EVMS receives grant to study depression in parents

Friday, 05 March 2010

James F. Paulson, PhD, assistant professor of pediatrics at EVMS, received a $420,000 grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to study the development of depression in first-time parents.

The project will examine mothers and fathers from the 3rd trimester of pregnancy to 6 month postpartum, and study whether a parent's depression has an affect on a couple's ability to co-parent effectively.

Company founded by EVMS faculty member wins award

Sunday, 10 January 2010

DiaKine Theraputics, a company founded by Jerry L. Nadler, MD, director of the Strelitz Diabetes Center and professor and chairman of Internal Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School, has been selected as a winner of the annual New England Venture Summit Top Innovator award by youngStartup Ventures.

DiaKine's lead compound, Lisofylline (LSF), is a synthetic small molecule with novel anti-inflammatory properties that has been shown to block autoimmune damage to insulin-producing cells and to improve insulin action in type 2 diabetes. LSF has also demonstrated that it can effectively prevent type 1 diabetes in preclinical models.

Researchers find way to control rogue immune system

Wednesday, 06 January 2010

EVMS researchers believe they have found a way to tame a potentially deadly aspect of the human immune system. The discovery could save thousands of lives - from newborn babies to battlefield casualties.

The focus of their interest is the "complement response," an invaluable part of the immune system. The complement response defends the body from infections - but it also has a dark side. Read more in the Winter issue of EVMS Magazine, available soon.