title: Immunologic and neurodevelopmental susceptibilities of autism.
abstract: Symposium 5 focused on research approaches that are aimed at understanding common patterns of immunological and neurological dysfunction contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD. The session focused on genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors that might act in concert to influence autism risk, severity and co-morbidities, and immunological and neurobiological targets as etiologic contributors. The immune system of children at risk of autism may be therefore especially susceptible to psychological stressors, exposure to chemical triggers, and infectious agents. Identifying early biomarkers of risk provides tangible approaches toward designing studies in animals and humans that yield a better understanding of environmental risk factors, and can help identify rational intervention strategies to mitigate these risks.
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. inpessah@ucdavis.edu
authors.forename: Isaac N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Pessah
authors.forename: Richard F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Seegal
authors.forename: Pamela J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lein
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: LaSalle
authors.forename: Benjamin K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Yee
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van De Water
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Berman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000633:toxicity; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000633:toxicity; D011247:Pregnancy; D012306:Risk; D013849:Thimerosal / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D001323:Autoantibodies; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D013849:Thimerosal; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls