“If you want to understand function, study structure.” -Francis Crick
We work to improve the diagnosis and treatment of dysautonomia in autism. Our Translational Autism Laboratory combines neurobiology with education and advocacy. Together, we can transform how dysautonomia is understood, diagnosed, and treated in kids with autism.
—
Ronald Seese, M.D., Ph.D.
Director and Principal Investigator
Mission
The Translational Autism Laboratory strives to decrease the disability of autistic individuals through the establishment of novel diagnostic modalities and treatment approaches. We harness the power of rigorous biomedical research, comprehensive training of learners, and immersive community advocacy.
Goals
1. To define the neural circuit that produces dysautonomia in autism through rigorous mechanism-based biomedical research.
2. To establish novel circuit-based targets in the cerebellum to treat dysautonomia in autism.
3. To train the next generation of autism-focused translational biomedical researchers who develop expertise in scientific rigor, as well as systems and behavioral neuroscience.
Approaches
1. We focus on defining circuits implicated in problems that disable autistic kids. We do work that helps people. We do not do science for the sake of science. Our work must ultimately have a high impact on autistic children.
2. We use evolutionarily advanced model systems most likely to translate successfully to humans.
3. We map complicated circuits implicated in the brain-body connection using trans-synaptic transport of neurotropic tracers. We eliminate guess work in defining functional neural circuits by tracing the network, step-by-step.
4. We conduct behavioral neuroscience through the lens of an NDD-certified developmental neurologist. We prioritize face and construct validities so we can decode behaviors implicated in autism.