ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — University of Michigan researchers plan to use a $1.6 million federal grant to examine potential social and environmental links to autism.
The Ann Arbor school announced Monday that researchers will collect location-specific information from tens of thousands of individuals and families nationwide.
The study began last month. Social and demographic data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the American Community Survey will be used. Environmental data will focus initially on air-quality measurements, including ambient levels of air pollutants.
The National Center for Geospatial Medicine is based at the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources and Environment. The center is funded through the National Institute of Mental Health for the three-year autism spectrum disorder study.
