
Boston Children’s Hospital made the headlines this week, when major news outlets across the globe reported on new studies from many of our researchers.
We’re well known for our world-class care and innovative approach to pediatrics, but did you know we also have a long, distinguished tradition in clinical research? And on more than one occasion that research has advanced not just pediatric care, but all of medicine.
Here’s a quick recap of some of our recent research coverage:

Researchers Cara Ebbeling, PhD, and David Ludwig, MD, PhD, of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center Boston Children’s Hospital, this week published a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), suggesting that all calories aren’t created equal. The study looked at three diets (low-fat, low-carb and low-glycemic) in order to see which helped participants keep pounds off after losing weight. Even though all three diets consisted of the same amount of calories, the low-glycemic diet came out on top. …
Watch NOVA special tonight featuring Children's autism research
Tonight at 9 p.m., PBS will air a NOVA special about autism, featuring Nelson, called “Autism Genes.” Have a question about current autism research, what factors clinicians look for when diagnosing it, and other questions about treatments? Click here to submit it. Nelson’s responses will be posted on July 13.
Arresting autism
Sixty years after autism was first recognized, there are still more questions than answers about the elusive disorder. Researchers across the globe, like Charles Nelson, PhD, director of the Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience at Children’s Hospital Boston, are investigating autism’s causes. In his search for clues, Nelson’s current research focuses on siblings of children with autism.
In this video, Nelson describes the sibling autism study.
On July 7, PBS is airing a NOVA special about autism, featuring Nelson, called “Autism Genes.” Have a question about current autism research, what factors clinicians look for when diagnosing it, and other questions about treatments? Click here to submit it. Nelson’s responses will be posted on July 13.
Here, the mother of a child with autism describes what it’s like to worry about whether subsequent children will also have the condition.