UCSD-led autism research center forming with NIH grant

SAN DIEGO – Eric Courchesne, a pioneering autism researcher at UCSD, and several other local scientists will jointly receive about $11 million over the next five years to create an Autism Center of Excellence, the team announced Friday.

Autism is a mysterious disease in which children engage in isolated, repetitive and anti-social behaviors. Autistic kids frequently have difficulty communicating, following conversations or understanding various concepts. Emotional outbursts may occur without apparent provocation.

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