Three Universities, including two in Utah, have been awarded $3.5-million to search for the gene which causes autism.

But the five year landmark project involves a lot more. Science Specialist Ed Yeates explains.

In one of the most concentrated research efforts yet, Utah State and University of Utah scientists are zeroing in on autism.

Mary Ware, the parent of an autistic child, says, "You hear stories of parents saying 'Oh, yep, you're child is autistic, good luck.' So it would be much nicer to say 'Your child is autistic, let's do something - this is what we can do for him.'"

And that's the target for this research.

USU is testing a theory to see whether abnormalities in the immune system lead to autism.

U of U psychologists like Dr. Sally Ozonoff are using computer exercises to test higher brain function in family members like Mary Ware who doesn't have autism - but may hold clues to her son's genetic disorder.

Special MRI scans will look at possible abnormalities in the size and shape of the autistic brain.

Dr. William McMahon says autism, once believed uncommon, really occurs frequently - now probably afflicting one in 700 in the population.

"I'm optimistic than within a decade we are going to have some major breakthroughs."

The research group will also begin clinical trials on secretin, a pig hormone. It's normally used to treat digestive disorders. But in a small sample of autistic children with diarrhea, parents also noticed improvement in their behavior, eye contact and language skills.

But is it for real?

Dr. McMahon says, "There are parents out there running up their Visa cards and mortgaging their houses because they're paying $2,000 per treatment to get their secretin somewhere from somebody who really doesn't know autism."

Twenty autistic children five to 12 years of age will take secretin for four weeks and then a placebo for four weeks. Researchers hope to find out once and for all whether the hormone really works.

While the secretin trials are already full, Utah researchers are looking for more families, including autistic males from seven to 30 years of age to participate in the other studies.