John Gaitanis appointed chair of federal autism committee amid disclosed leucovorin ties

The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) has named pediatric neurologist John Gaitanis as its new chair.

Gaitanis, who has spent his career treating children with neurological disorders, will lead the committee that advises the federal government on autism research priorities.

The appointment has drawn attention because Gaitanis has disclosed financial relationships with manufacturers of leucovorin, a form of vitamin B9 sometimes used in autism-related studies.

The IACC oversees the distribution of roughly $2 billion in federal funds for autism research, so the chair’s potential conflicts of interest are being closely watched by policymakers and advocacy groups.