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"The latest research shows that autism affects one in 150 children and onein 94 boys. What's more, the costs to each family dealing with autism are inthe millions of dollars, and continue to rise," said Herb Johnson, director ofcommunity relations for Michelin North America. "While researchers such asthose at MUSC continue to make progress treating this condition, we want tosupport their efforts. Michelin Challenge Rugby gives us the ideal opportunityto do that."
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Autism is a brain development disorder that first appears during infancyor childhood and generally follows a steady course without significantimprovement. Children with autism have multiple symptoms, often showingsevere impairments in social skills and language development. Autism has astrong genetic basis although the genetics of autism are complex.
Dr. Lindsay DeVane, professor and vice chair for research in theDepartment of Psychiatry, is one of several investigators at MUSC working tobetter understand the causes and improve the treatment of children withautism. His research in the Children's Research Institute and withcollaborators in the department of pediatrics is aimed at finding newtreatments and improving existing drug therapies for children with thisdisease. Through simple blood tests to determine a genetic "fingerprint,"medications can be matched to specific individuals that work best and causethe fewest side effects in that child.
"This approach to treatment, called pharmacogenetics, represents thefuture of individualized medicine not only for autism but for most diseasesthat are treated with drugs," said Dr. DeVane.
Tickets to the international exhibition match start at $20 and areavailable at www.tickets.com. A limited number of VIP tickets are alsoavailable that include access to the Three Lions Club (at Blackbaud Stadium)and include complimentary food and beverages. For groups of ten, VIP ticketsor for more information, call the Blackbaud Stadium box office at843-971-4625. Find out more by visiting www.michelinchallengerugby.com.
About USA Rugby
The USA Eagles rugby team represents the United States around the world ininternational rugby play. USA Rugby currently fields 11 national teams underthe Eagle umbrella, Men's and Women's 15s and sevens, the Women's Under-23Team, the Collegiate All-Americans, the Men's and Women's Under-20 Teams andthe newly formed Men's Under-19, Boys Under-18 and Boys Under-17 Team. Beingchosen to play for one of the USA's representative sides is an honor bestowedupon only a select few players each year.
About Clermont-Auvergne Rugby
Association Sportive Montferrandaise (ASM) Clermont-Auvergne is a Frenchrugby union club from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne that currently competes inTop 14, the top level of the French league system. The club was founded in1911 as AS Michelin, and changed its name in 1922 to AS Montferrandaise. For atime after it adopted its current name in 2004, the club was frequentlyreferred to as Montferrand both within and outside of France.
About Michelin North America
Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs,manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes,automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks,motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides,hotel and restaurant guides, maps and r
