Building genomic capacity for the National Children's Study

The extraordinarily rapid evolution of new genomic techniques and expansion of how they can inform longitudinal studies is breathtaking. The focus of this talk is to examine how such approaches may be used within the National Children's Study by utilizing the next generation of sequencing capabilities. Challenges of feasibility, scale, consent, and extrapolability will be highlighted in this discussion. Dr. Swanson directs the National Children's Study Vanguard Center for Orange County, California. The National Children's Study Vanguard Center for Orange County, California, one of the initial National Children's Study Vanguard locations, was established in 2005. It leads the implementation of the Study in Orange County, California. Dr. Swanson has assembled a team of NCS investigators from the University of California, Irvine (UCI); University of California, San Diego; University of Washington; University of Iowa; University of South Dakota; and Columbia University for this genome initiative. Dr. Swanson is Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the UCI Child Development Center, which is the home for several research and treatment programs for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other disorders of attention, behavior, and learning. Through his research, Dr. Swanson has developed procedures for monitoring the cognitive effect of stimulant medication, the most frequent treatment for this group of patients. His research also focuses on biochemical and genetic factors related to these disorders. Dr. Swanson is also investigating the effect of intensive, early intervention for children with attention and conduct disorders through a school-based treatment program.