7th Annual International Meeting For Autism Research ... - Confex

Program
Friday 16 th May – AM
8.00 – 8.30 am Breakfast + Registration (Chablis)
8.30 – 8.45 am Introduction + Autism Speaks Sponsorship (Cremant)
8.45 – 9.45 am Keynote speaker: Thomas Bourgeron
Synaptic and clock genes in autism spectrum disorders
(Cremant)
9.45 – 10.15 am Coffee (Chablis) Poster Presentations
10.15 am
– 12.15 pm
Invited Educational Symposium
“Neuropathology of ASDs”
Organizer: Eric London
(Avize-Morangis)
Oral Presentations
Language &
Communication
(Mancy)
Oral Presentations
Sensory Processing
(Bourgogne)
(8.30 am – 1.00 pm)
Developmental Stages Posters
Human Genetics Posters 2
Social Function Posters 1
Epidemiology Posters
(Champagne Terr/Bordeaux)
Breakfast and Registration
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM - Chablis
Keynote Address
119 Synaptic and clock genes in autism spectrum disorders
8:30 AM - 9:45 AM - Cremant
Speaker: T. BourgeronInstitut Pasteur
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by
impairments in communication and social interaction, as well
as restricted, repetitive and stereotyped behaviors. Our genetic
studies point to one synaptic pathway, including cell adhesion
molecules (neuroligins NLGN3, NLGN4 and neurexins NRXN1)
and scaffolding proteins (SHANK3) associated with the disorder.
This pathway is crucial for synapse formation/maintenance
and correct balance between GABAergic and glutamatergic
synaptic currents. Interestingly, mice with neuroligin mutations
show reduced social interactions and ultrasonic vocalizations.
Moreover, we recently reported genetic mutations in ASD
that alter synthesis of melatonin, a key regulator of circadian
rhythms involved in sleep-wake cycles and modulator of
GABAergic currents, neurite outgrowth and memory formation.
We propose that some cases of ASD may result from excess
GABAergic currents in specific brains regions due to either
altered synaptic genes or circadian rhythms. A better
characterization of the interplay between synaptic and clock
genes may shed light on several features observed in ASD,
including alterations in sleep and memory storage/formation.
8:30 119.1
Introductory Remarks: Autism Speaks - Geraldine Dawson.
8:45 119.2
Keynote Speaker.
Coffee 9:45 AM – 10:15 AM - Chablis
Autism is a heterogeneous developmental disorder that is
defined clinically. Although clinical diagnosis is reliable, taking
the next steps and determining etiology, pathophysiology
and treatment targets will require a greater understanding
of the neurobiology. While animal models and human brain
scanning allow exploration of molecular and cellular pathways
and networks, they must ultimately be related to cellular
disorders of the autism brain. Human autism tissue supplies
a “missing link” which complements and in some cases
replaces other study methods. Four scientists who are using
human brain tissue to study autism anatomical, developmental,
environmental and genetic mechanisms will describe new
insights and advance novel hypotheses.
10:15 120.1
Introductory Remarks.
10:25 120.2
Structural correlates of functional deficits in Autism Spectrum
Disorder. J. Wegiel*, T. Wisniewski, I. Cohen, E. London, M. Flory,
H. Imaki, I. Kuchna, J. Wegiel, S. Y. Ma, K. Nowicki, K. C. Wang
and W. T. Brown, New York State Institute for Basic Research in
Developmental Disabilities
10:50 120.3
Convergence of behavioural dysfunction, abnormalities in
functional imaging and neuropathology in the fusiform gyrus in
autism. C. Schmitz* 1 , S. Palmen 2 , H. Heinsen 3 , H. Van Engeland 4 ,
P. R. Hof 5 , H. W. M. Steinbusch 1 and I. Van Kooten 1 , (1)School for
Mental Health and Neurosciences, Div. Cellular Neuroscience,
(2)University Medical Center Utrecht, (3)University of Wuerzburg,
(4)University Medical Center-Utrecht, (5)Mount Sinai School for
Medicine
11:15 120.4
Autism as a Minicolumnopathy. M. F. Casanova*, University of
Louisville
11:40 120.5
Epigenetic Clues in Autistic Brain. J. M. LaSalle*, University of
California, Davis
Invited Educational Symposia
120 Pathology and Neruoananatomy of Human Brain Tissue in
Autism
10:15 AM - 12:15 PM - Avize-Morangis
Organizer: E. LondonNYS Institute for Basic Research in
Developmental Disabilities
Speakers: C. Schmitz 1 J. Wegiel 2 M. F. Casanova 3 J. LaSalle 4 (1)
Dept. Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, Div. Cellular Neuroscience,
(2)New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental
Disabilities, (3)University of Louisville, (4)University of California,
Davis
Oral Presentations
121 Language and Communication
10:15 AM - 12:15 PM - Mancy
10:15 121.1
Comprehension of Nouns and Verbs in Toddlers with Autism:
An Eye-Tracking Study. L. R. Edelson*, A. Fine and H. Tager-
Flusberg, Boston University
10:30 121.2
Do People with Autism Process Words in Context? Evidence
from Language-Mediated Eye-Movements. J. Brock* 1 , C.
Norbury 2 , S. Einav 3 and K. Nation 3 , (1)Macquarie University, (2)
Royal Holloway, University of London, (3)University of Oxford
26 7 th Annual International Meeting For Autism Research (IMFAR) 2008