They hope to get volunteers from families with individual and multiple cases of autism. Participants would provide a blood sample (the DNA can be taken from saliva, Coon said, but that is more limited in how they could test it) and some clinical testing. "We try to make sure this is not too much of a burden," Coon said.

They're interested in people with all types of autism.

Other study authors are Nori Matsunami; Jeff Stevens; Judith S. Miller, assistant professor of psychiatry; and Carmen Pingree, all with the Neurodevelopmental Genetics Project in the Department of Psychiatry; Nicola J. Camp, assistant professor of medical informatics; Alun Thomas, professor of medical informatics; Dr. Janet E. Lainhart, associate professor of psychiatry; Mark F. Leppert, professor and chairman of Human Genetics; and Dr. William M. McMahon, professor of psychiatry and principal investigator of the Utah Autism Research Project.

Anyone who'd like more information or to volunteer for the study can call 801-585-9098.

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E-mail: lois@desnews.com