Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center The IDDRC@WUSTL, along with partner St.

Louis Children's Hospital, is part of a network of 14 Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research Centers (IDDRC's) funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development through an act of Congress in 1963. These centers are located in some of the nation's top universities and children's hospitals and are committed to advancing understanding of a variety of conditions and topics related to Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). The IDDRC@WUSTL, as one of the 14 cooperative centers, is focused on four research themes:
(1) the prediction and prevention of preterm birth,
(2) elucidation of core elements of risk and resilience for IDD,
(3) characterization of the developing human brain, and
(4) understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms of genetic risk for IDD. The IDDRC@WUSTL advances this agenda through four core scientific facilities that are designed to support scientific endeavors to clarify genetic and environmental causes of IDD, examining and modifying these causal factors in cellular and animal model systems, exploring their impact on the developing human brain, and translating the resulting knowledge into higher-impact intervention to prevent or treat intellectual and developmental disabilities.

10/11/2026

TBRS Word(s) of the Day: Genotype & Phenotype!

You may hear researchers talk about genotype and phenotype when discussing TBRS research. But what do these words actually mean?

Genotype = the genetic information or specific genetic changes a person has.

Phenotype = the traits, symptoms, or health features a person has.

For people with TBRS, a variant in the DNMT3A gene is part of their genotype. Researchers are working to better understand how different genetic variants may relate to the different features people with TBRS experience.

Understanding the connection between genotype and phenotype can help researchers learn more about TBRS and, hopefully, improve care and treatment in the future!

IDDRC researcher Keith Hengen explores the complexities of sleep and health.
10/10/2026

IDDRC researcher Keith Hengen explores the complexities of sleep and health.

Ever wonder why a good night's sleep makes everything feel clearer?

Biologist Keith Hengen is unraveling the mystery. 💤 🌙 🛏️ https://bit.ly/4gMWJBZ

WashU researchers and clinicians were grateful to join another fascinating year at the 21st Annual Thompson Center Confe...
10/10/2026

WashU researchers and clinicians were grateful to join another fascinating year at the 21st Annual Thompson Center Conference hosted in St. Charles, MO.

WashU Department of Psychiatry welcomes back prior WashU IDDRC Director John Constantino, MD for Grand Rounds, Guze Symp...
10/06/2026

WashU Department of Psychiatry welcomes back prior WashU IDDRC Director John Constantino, MD for Grand Rounds, Guze Symposium.

Today the WashU IDDRC is out in the community participating in FestAbility at the Missouri History Museum.
09/20/2026

Today the WashU IDDRC is out in the community participating in FestAbility at the Missouri History Museum.

09/13/2026

We are excited to host our 5th family conference in St. Louis! The agenda this year is scheduled in three parts: Understanding DESSH (9:30 - 11:20 am) with speakers Dr. Shinawi (Genetics), and Dr. Weisenberg (Neurology), with a brief update on the UK clinical trial by Rob Galloway. Living with DESSH...

09/11/2026
09/09/2026

Here is an upcoming Museum Deaf Day program, taking place on October 24 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the History Museum, in collaboration with Deaf, Inc.

The program will celebrate Deaf culture and community through engaging activities and experiences for visitors of all ages. The event is open to everyone.

09/07/2026

We’re excited to celebrate Sheila Suderwalla, our Executive Director, for her extraordinary work with Artists First and her dedication to making our region a more creative, inclusive, and welcoming community!

Sheila has been selected as an Exceptional Neighbor by St. Louis CITY SC and Enterprise, recognizing her impact and the work she continues to do through Artists First.

Sheila will be honored during the upcoming St. Louis CITY SC match on Saturday, September 12 at 7:30 PM at Energizer Park. ⚽❤️

Please join us in congratulating Sheila on this well-deserved recognition! We’re so proud to see her leadership and the mission of Artists First celebrated in our community.

Learn more about a new resource coming to the STL area, STL ARC The Nexus.
08/21/2026

Learn more about a new resource coming to the STL area, STL ARC The Nexus.

Thank you to everyone who attended The Nexus Q+A! The full webinar recording is now available on our YouTube channel. The video includes refined closed captions and detailed timestamps for easier navigation.

Click the link below or in our bio to watch the recording. To jump directly to a specific topic, select “…more” in the video description and click any blue timestamp.
https://youtu.be/329RSuKhI_s?si=MB1bok8aq2rt1J7o

To access the accompanying presentation, go to www.TheNexus-STL.org and scroll to the Q+A section.

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4444 Forest Park, Suite 3400
St. Louis, MO
63110

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