May 1, 2006

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — The UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute's new “Vision of Hope: The House that Collaboration Built” DVD presentation has been honored with a bronze Telly Award, which recognizes excellence in television programs and commercials as well as video and film productions. The honor was given to John Cuneo and Derek Devine, the director and videographer of the presentation and partners in “Punch,” a Chicago-based production company.

“Vision of Hope” tells the story of the M.I.N.D. Institute's founding families who experienced firsthand the frustrations of autism and invested their energies in establishing a multi-disciplinary center focused on finding answers to neurodevelopmental disorders. Also featured are several families who have come to the M.I.N.D. Institute for evaluation, treatment and to participate in clinical studies, along with unique research making significant headway toward finding the causes, preventions and effective treatments for autism and fragile X syndrome. For instance, research director David Amaral summarizes the Autism Phenome Project, which will identify specific types of autism based on distinct biological and behavioral markers, and medical director Randi Hagerman highlights studies that will significantly improve quality of life and outcomes for patients with fragile X syndrome and related disorders.

Autism is a childhood disorder of increasing prevalence that limits communication and social capabilities. Fragile X gene mutations cause mental retardation and autism in children and in adults can lead to tremor, balance and memory problems or menopause before age 40.

The DVD is used in conjunction with efforts to expand funding for M.I.N.D. Institute research initiatives. To request a copy of the presentation, contact Jay Cohen, development director of the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute, at (916) 703-0435 or  jay.cohen@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu.

The UC Davis M.I.N.D. (Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute is a unique collaborative center bringing together parents, scientists, clinicians and educators for research into the causes, preventions and treatments of autism, fragile X syndrome, learning disabilities and other neurodevelopmental disorders. For more information, visit www.mindinstitute.org.