Message from the Director:

The UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute is unique in its vision and multidisciplinary research approach. We are committed to finding the causes, developing improved treatments and preventing the onset of neurodevelopmental disorders. Though we are community based, the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute is an international research facility providing much needed information, education and outreach throughout the world. The speed towards accomplishing our mission is directly related to our resources. To succeed, we need your support.

Tourette Syndrome Research
Through their foundation, the RDM Positive Impact Foundation, Ron and Darin Mittelstaedt are investors for a Tourette’s syndrome research and clinical program directed by Frank Sharp, M.D., at the M.I.N.D. Institute.  Sharp’s research seeks to develop blood test that could distinguish between different types of Tourette syndrome, and then identify causes and treatments for different types of the disorder. Based on prior research, Sharp believes that blood may reveal previously overlooked clues. Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder that occurs in about 1 in every 2,000 children. It is more likely to occur in boys and usually begins in persons under 21 years of age. Symptoms include recurrent “tics,” including rapid eye blinking, grimaces or other involuntary body movements, or uncontrolled grunts or verbal outbursts. 

Social Skills Programs
Marjorie Solomon, Ph.D. and Beth Goodlin-Jones, Ph.D., of the Social Skills Training Group Program engages children ages 8-14 with diagnoses of Asperger Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, or Pervasive Developmental Disorder NOS, and cognitive abilities in the average range. Because of the success of the program, additional groups for younger children (4-7) and older individuals (14-18) are available. In the 20-week program, the group meets weekly for 1 ½ hours to discuss topics such as recognizing one’s own emotion as well as those of others, deciphering nonverbal cues, “theory of mind”, perspective taking, conversation and friendship skills, and individual and group problem solving. While their children are attending these sessions, parents attend a weekly parent education/support group. The Program is one of the few interventions for this population that has been empirically tested.

Autism Phenome Project
Under the direction  of David G. Amaral, Ph.D., M.I.N.D. Institute Research Director and Beneto Foundation Chair, the Institute’s Research Program completed the first phase of the Autism Phenome Project, a large-scale multidisciplinary  research study, designed to advance the biomedical understanding of autism. This project aims to distinguish subgroups, or phenotypes, of autism based on thorough biomedical and behavioral analyses of affected children; thereby improving our ability to understand and effectively treat autism. 

Resource Library
The M.I.N.D. Institute houses the Resource Library, a center filled with books, videos, brochures and other helpful information about neurodevelopmental disorders. The Library is available to researchers, parents and the community. The Resource Center is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., closed from noon to 12:30 p.m. (operating hours may vary without notice).

22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome Research
Tony Simon, Ph.D., a pioneer in research on the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (velocardiofacial/DiGeirge syndrome), combines results of experimental tests with those from brain imaging to better understand the neural structures and connective patterns that underlie cognitive functions. He has hypothesized that children with this syndrome have a reduced granularity of mental representation. He compares it to, “…the low resolution of an inexpensive digital camera. There are fewer pixels, so the picture is not as sharp.” While Simon and his team continue to perfect the assessment tools and research protocols used to evaluate children, his ultimate goal is to develop targeted interventions, some in the  form of therapeutic video games, which will reduce or remediate the disabilities experienced by such children.

ADHD Program
M.I.N.D. Institute faculty member Julie Schweitzer, Ph.D., brings extensive expertise in studying Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In her work to prevent and treat the disorder, Dr. Schweitzer conducts research at many different levels, including basic biological research using brain imaging, clinical trails that test drug therapies and new behavioral interventions.    

Distinguished Lecturer Series
The M.I.N.D. Institute initiated its Distinguished Lecture Series, which features world-renowned leaders in the study of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. This series, an extension of the Institute’s research and education programs, provides an opportunity for parents, educators, care givers, research scientists, health care providers, and the general community an opportunity to hear the latest views on autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders. Each year, nine eminent scientists from around the world visit the M.I.N.D. Institute and deliver a public lecture which is open to the public. During their visit, the scientists also meet with M.I.N.D. Institute faculty to review research updates, for mentoring, and for information dissemination.

• Current support
• Major gifts
• Memorial and tribute gifts
• Grateful giving
• Estate and gift planning
• Corporate and foundation giving
• Volunteer opportunities

You can donate online now via our secure online donation process or you can contact us by mail or phone.

Kathy Lelevier,  Chief Administrative Officer
UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute
2825 50th Street
Sacramento, CA 95817
(916) 703-0263

UC Davis Health System is recognized as a tax-exempt, 501 (c)(3) public charity by the Internal Revenue Service. Your gift to the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute qualifies as a charitable deduction for federal tax purposes as permitted by law.

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