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and treatment of mental illnesses.

 Archived Content

The National Institute of Mental Health archives materials that are over 4 years old and no longer being updated. The content on this page is provided for historical reference purposes only and may not reflect current knowledge or information.

Dr. Insel Reflects on Autism Awareness Month

Science Update

In recognition of this year’s Autism Awareness Month, Dr. Insel—who serves as both NIMH Director and Chairman of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC)—wrote his inaugural IACC Chairman’s blog post . Dr. Insel describes advancements in research and large-scale collaborative efforts related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including:

  • plans for the newly reauthorized IACC
  • public-private partnerships to centralize efforts for biobanking tissue for ASD research, identifying biomarkers and risk factors, and data sharing
  • promising results from clinical studies investigating genetic risk factors and new therapeutic approaches.

Read more in Dr. Insel’s IACC Chairman’s Blog: “Autisms” Awareness .