About AGRE

Overview

The Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) is one of the pioneers in autism research today. Since its inception in 1997, AGRE has fueled many of the breakthroughs in autism research. AGRE is the largest private, open-access repository of clinical and genetic information dedicated to help autism research. Used by researchers around the world, AGRE enables open science to accelerate the search for the factors that influence autism – discoveries that will lead us to personalized, more effective treatments.

Currently, there are more than 150 research groups worldwide that are using the AGRE resource. With over 2,000 families in our database, AGRE has been cited in more than 165 science journals since the first publication in 2001.

As AGRE moves in a new direction, we are distinguishing ourselves as a Data Coordinating Center (DCC) by collaborating with outside researchers to receive de-identified data and biomaterials to enhance the AGRE resource. In our role as a DCC, we have discontinued our in-home data collection, while continuing to expand our resource with collaboration data and to make it available to researchers worldwide. 

History

In 1997, the Cure Autism Now (CAN) foundation established AGRE as a shared resource to accelerate the pace of biological research in the field of autism. One of its goals was to create a centralized repository of the latest findings in genetics that would help autism researchers worldwide to ask the right questions and avoid duplication of efforts.

In 2007, CAN merged with Autism Speaks to bring all efforts and programs under one voice, making AGRE part of the Autism Speaks family.  AGRE currently receives funding from Autism Speaks and the National Institute of Mental Health.

Although no longer collecting data in the home, AGRE is collaborating with outside research groups in its role as a Data Coordinating Center (DCC) to further expand the AGRE resource.  As a DCC, AGRE will continue its mission to advance autism research by maintaining a thriving DNA repository and family registry for scientists around the world.