The International Meeting for Autism Research May 15-17, 2008

Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children with Unprovoked Seizures in the First Year of Life – A Population-based Study
1:15 p.m.

E. Saemundsen, University of Iceland

It has long been recognized that individuals with autism are at risk for developing seizure disorder. Estimates are that at least 25 percent of individuals with autism develop seizures. This is a unique study that examined whether unprovoked seizures during the first year of life may be an early risk index for autism. Dr. Saemundsen utilized hospital records of children 1982-1988 diagnosed with seizures in the first year of life and examined the relationship between early presence of seizures and the development of ASD. The presence of early seizures may be one sign that could lead to earlier diagnosis and possible intervention to improve outcome.

Household Pesticide Use in Relation to Autism
2 p.m.

I. Hertz-Picciotto, University of California at Davis

It is increasingly recognized that autism likely is caused by a complex interplay of both genetic and environmental factors. However, to date, very little is known about what environmental factors may play a role in the etiology of autism. This project examined participants in the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (CHARGE) study to evaluate household pesticide use during the prenatal and postnatal period. It was found that mothers who used pet shampoos were twice more likely to have a child with ASD than those that did not. Pet shampoos often contain pyrethrins and previous animal research has found that pyrethrins are designed to target the central nervous system in insects, rodents and other species and can cause death of neurons and compromise the blood-brain barrier in early life.

FRIDAY, MAY 16

Keynote – Synaptic and Clock Genes in Autism Spectrum Disorders
8:30 a.m.

Thomas Bourgeron, PhD, Institute Pasteur

This talk will describe how specific genetic mutations in autism may help explain why individuals with this disorder have difficulty with learning and often have significant sleep problems. Dr. Bourgeron will discuss recent genetic studies showing how several genes associated with autism influence one particular signaling pathway that includes cell adhesion molecules and scaffolding proteins located at the synapse, the junction between two neurons. This pathway is crucial for synapse formation/maintenance, sets the correct balance between excitatory and inhibitory neural transmission in the brain, and is important for learning and memory. Also discussed will be new findings on a genetic mutation found in some individuals with autism that is important for melatonin synthesis. Melatonin is involved in the establishment of the sleep-wake cycle and memory formation. He will describe the potential interaction between synaptic and clock genes and how this interplay may shed light on several atypical features that are frequently observed in individuals with ASD such as sleep problems and memory difficulties.