Autism Research Database - Principal Investigator Project Details | IACC

Project Element	Element Description
Project Title Project Title	Investigating the Role of Cntnap2, an Autism Risk Gene, in Regulating the Oxytocin System
Principal Investigator Principal Investigator	Geschwind, Daniel
Description Description	Daniel H. Geschwind, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of California, Los Angeles, seeks to understand the genetic basis of social and communication deficits in autism spectrum disorders. Some of these deficits can be reduced in animal models with infusions of the hormone oxytocin into the nervous system, which promotes context-dependent social behaviors. Dr. Geschwind's team will explore the genetic and molecular mechanisms driving oxytocin's effects in autism. To do so, they will study a gene expressed in oxytocin-producing neurons that encodes a chemical called Cntnap2 (for contactin-associated protein-like 2. The team will test whether the Cntnap2 gene contributes to social deficits in autism by regulating the structure of, and signaling from, oxytocin-producing neurons.
Funder Funder	Brain & Behavior Research Foundation
Funding Country Funding Country	United States
Fiscal Year Funding Fiscal Year Funding	66667
Current Award Period Current Award Period	2016-2017
Strategic Plan Question Strategic Plan Question	Question 3: What Causes ASD, and Can Disabling Aspects of ASD be Prevented or Preempted?
Funder’s Project Link Funder’s Project Link	No URL available.
Institution Institution	University of California, Los Angeles
Institute Location Institute Location	United States
Project Number Project Number
Government or Private Government or Private	Private
History/Related Projects History/Related Projects	Investigating the Role of Cntnap2, an Autism Risk Gene, in Regulating the Oxytocin System \| 33333 \| 2017 \|

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