Dr. Pierre Mattar received $300,000 from the Simons Foundation to investigate how mutations of two genes contribute to autism. While certain mutations have been linked with autism, exactly how they affect brain development is unknown. Dr. Mattar’s team previously found that the Adnp and Chd4 genes play an important role in producing different types of neurons. These genes are frequent targets of autism-associated mutations. The team will investigate how the proteins expressed by these genes interact with each other and impact brain development. They will also look at how the mutated form of the Adnp gene affects the formation of new neurons. They hope to determine the mechanisms and molecular pathways by which these two mutations contribute to autism. This research will pave the way for future work exploring the impact of Adnp mutations on behavior and how the body works.

“We hope to better understand how these gene mutations affect brain development in people with autism,” said Dr. Mattar, scientist at The Ottawa Hospital and assistant professor at the University of Ottawa.

Research at The Ottawa Hospital is possible through generous donations to The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.

The Ottawa Hospital: Inspired by research. Driven by compassion 

The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada’s largest learning and research hospitals with over 1,100 beds, approximately 12,000 staff and an annual budget of over $1.2 billion. Our focus on research and learning helps us develop new and innovative ways to treat patients and improve care. As a multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, we deliver specialized care to the Eastern Ontario region, but our techniques and research discoveries are adopted around the world. We engage the community at all levels to support our vision for better patient care. See www.ohri.ca for more information about research at The Ottawa Hospital.

University of Ottawa: —A crossroads of cultures and ideas

The University of Ottawa is home to over 50,000 students, faculty and staff, who live, work and study in both French and English. Our campus is a crossroads of cultures and ideas, where bold minds come together to inspire game-changing ideas. We are one of Canada’s top 10 research universities—our professors and researchers explore new approaches to today’s challenges. One of a handful of Canadian universities ranked among the top 200 in the world, we attract exceptional thinkers and welcome diverse perspectives from across the globe. www.uottawa.ca

Media Contact

Amelia Buchanan
Senior Communication Specialist
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Office: 613-798-5555 x 73687
Cell: 613-297-8315
ambuchanan@ohri.ca