Research Interests
Dr. Hewitson's research is focused on developing non-human primate models to better understand the genetic and environmental influences that lead to adverse pregnancy outcome, with special emphasis on autism and related disorders. Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction accompanied by a delay or lack of language, restricted interests, stereotyped behavior, and repetitive movement. The cause(s) of autism is still unknown, although there is clearly evidence for a genetic predisposition. A purely genetic basis for autism, however, does not fully explain the rapidly increasing prevalence of autism in recent years.
Research in Dr. Hewitson’s lab examines genetic and environmental manipulations during primate embryonic, fetal and neonatal development with the goals of:
- producing genetically modified non-human primates as models for autism to dynamically assess structural and biochemical differences in the brain using MRI and microPET imaging, respectively.
- understanding the complex interactions of the CNS, immune system and GI system in autism after exposure of neonatal non-human primates to mercury and/or viruses.
Recent Publications
Hewitson L, Martinovich C, Simerly C, Takahashi
D, Schatten G. Rhesus offspring produced by intracytoplasmic
injection of testicular sperm and elongated spermatids.
Fertil Steril. 2002;77(4):794-801.
Hewitson L, Simerly CR, Schatten G. ICSI, male pronuclear remodeling and cell cycle checkpoints. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2003;518:199-210.
Terada Y, Nakamura S, Simerly C, Hewitson L, Murakami T, Yaegashi N, Okamura K, Schatten G. Centrosomal function assessment in human sperm using heterologous ICSI with
rabbit eggs: a new male factor infertility assay. Mol Reprod Dev. 2004 Mar;67(3):360-5.
Hewitston L. Primate models for assisted reproductive technologies. Reproduction. 2004; 128(3): 293-9.
Sackett G, Ruppenthal G, Hewitson L, Simerly C, Schatten G. Neonatal behavior and infant cognitive development in rhesus macaques produced by assisted reproductive technologies. Dev Psychobiol. 2006;48(3):243-65.
Dettmer AM, Houser LA, Ruppenthal GC, Capuano S, Hewitson L. Growth and developmental outcomes of three high-risk infant rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).
Am J Primatol. 2007;69(5):503-18.
Complete Publication Listing
Professional Affiliations
International Society for Autism Research (INSAR)
American Society for Reproductive Medicine
Collaborative on Health and the Environment
