Global Autoimmune Institute

Through this investigation, we will begin to determine critical questions in autoimmune disease. At this stage, data is limited for most ADs. GAI is determined to help find the real answers and is delighted to support and work with Dr. Foraker and her colleagues who have embarked on this important project.

This study will determine the prevalence of autoimmune disease by year from their catchment area, which will then be extrapolated to the overall U.S. population. The project will also apply data-driven approaches to identify demographic and clinical factors that are predictive of autoimmune disease and to document the co-occurrence of autoimmune and non-autoimmune diseases to describe common “clusters” of diagnoses. This project is expected to help us better understand the burden of autoimmune disease in the U.S. and to aid healthcare providers in more quickly and precisely identifying and treating patients who have an autoimmune disease.

This scientific investigation of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients focuses on whether the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) causes production of human antibodies using molecular mimicry in SLE patients. This could suggest that EBV may be a cause of SLE. The long-term goal of the study is to design a treatment to block certain EBV antibodies that cause organ damage in SLE patients.

The Children’s National Celiac Disease Program and the Global Autoimmune Institute have worked in partnership since 2015 to develop robust educational resources, including:

Monthly podcast and digital app that now each have more than 20,000 subscribers.
Web-based video education seminars hosted monthly, to help families with this autoimmune disease cope with the chronic condition
Furthermore, we have worked to build alliances amongst pediatric celiac disease programs across the United States and develop national recommendations for managing celiac disease at school and other learning environments.

The Global Autoimmune Institute’s support has also helped Children’s National Hospital (CNH) to advance other innovative projects.

Since 2010, this annual event brings the best of the gluten-free industry to Washington DC. The event features an exhibit hall with 60+ gluten-free food manufacturers and restaurants, a cooking stage with interactive demos, and a full day of educational sessions with options for adults and kids.

Nearly 2,000 attendees leave the event filled with knowledge, jam-packed goodie bags, and many new gluten-free friends. The event is live-streamed to capture a global gluten-free audience.

Gluten-Free Education Day 2020 was a fun, virtual experience featuring speakers from around the United States sharing the latest research and knowledge about celiac disease and the gluten-free diet.

Through the synthesis of our financial support and the passionate dedication of the Celiac Group, Children’s National Hospital, and GAI, CNH established the first-of-its-kind multidisciplinary clinic for celiac disease patients.

The clinic brings together a gastroenterologist, neurologist, psychologist, nutritionist, and an educational specialist to thoroughly diagnose and treat coexisting autoimmune diseases and neurological and psychological disorders, as well as to teach the patients and their families about proper nutrition and the many important aspects of living a gluten-free life.