- The ARC - California Edition -

The Arc Research and Prevention Fund

For many years, the Arc of the United States has been providing grant funds to researchers for addressing prevention, amelioration, or cure of mental retardation. During this time, the local chapters of Arc--California have been consistent and important contributors to The Arc Research and Prevention Fund.

At our upcoming annual conference, our local chapters and individual contributors will be offered the opportunity to again contribute to this fund.

Many research projects supported by this fund have produced important results. This same program enables us to recognize an outstanding researcher every year with The Arc’s Distinguished Research Award.

One of these projects, which you may not remember since it occurred a number of years ago, that has had profound impact on reducing the incidence of mental retardation was the development of a blood test to identify PKU (phenylketonuria) in newborn babies.

Another very important study conducted some time ago contributed to the identification of maternal use of alcohol as a cause of mental retardation.

In 1995, The Arc supported research by Dr. Cynthia Bearer from the University of Hospitals of Cleveland, related to maternal alcohol use. Dr. Bearer’s research is identifying biomarkers of risk drinking and simple, early tests for determining ethanol damage.

One such test will shortly be marketed under the name, "The Arc Test." Such information will enable earlier prevention of drinking during pregnancy and earlier intervention for at-risk children.

Building on The Arc’s earlier support of research to prevent fetal alcohol syndrome, in 1996 the fund supported research by Dr. James Walker at the Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University. The proposal, Ethanol and the Formation of Brain Circuits, is studying the effect of alcohol exposure on the early development of circuits in the central nervous system.

Also in 1996, Dr. Travis Thompson was the recipient of The Arc’s Distinguished Research Award presented at the national convention.

Dr. Thompson was honored for his pioneering work in the area of developmental behavioral pharmacology and his innovative work in the design and implementation of behavioral treatments for people with mental retardation and severe behavioral problems, including self-injury.

Sometimes because of the rigor and language associated with research endeavors, they do not receive deserved recognition. I believe, however, as does The Arc, that research is essential to our continuing efforts to move forward, a belief which you obviously share.

It is for that vision and for your donation to The Arc’s Research Fund that I want to again extend a very sincere thank you.