WORKSHOP
ON AUTISM
SPECTRUM DISORDERS
June 14 - 21, 2007
Application Deadline: March 15, 2007
Arranged
by :
Pat Levitt, Vanderbilt University
Dan Geschwind, University of California Los Angeles
Sarah Spence, National Institutes of Health
Autism
spectrum disorders (ASD) are developmental disorders with
complex phenotypes defined by a triad of symptoms that include
disrupted social abilities, verbal and non-verbal communication
skills, and restricted interests with repetitive behaviors.
Co-occurring neurological and medical conditions often occur
in the disorder. The underlying etiology remains a mystery,
but ASD is one of the most highly heritable of neuropsychiatric
disorders. This Workshop will examine dimensions of ASD
on various levels, including sessions on characteristics
of the Clinical Syndrome, the neuropathology, imaging, and
cognitive neuroscience studies that implicate Circuits and
Systems involved in ASD, the current state of findings from
Human Genetics, concepts regarding the Developmental Neurobiological
basis, the use of Experimental Models, and current Etiological
Theories & Hypotheses of ASD.
In
addition to hearing about the most recent research in these
areas, we will explore and debate controversial topics and
challenges to basic assumptions in the field. An exceptional
faculty with diverse interests will bring the most up-to-date
results and theories to the students, making this Workshop
a valuable resource for young researchers starting out in
this fast-moving and expansive field. Not only will it help
them build the foundation for their future research, it
will also introduce them to many potential collaborators
working to understand ASD from different disciplines. The
workshop will have hands-on exercises to complement the
featured intense lecture sessions. Importantly, students
also will have free-time for reading, informal discussions
and recreation on the beautiful campus of the Banbury Center,
which includes a beach, a pool and tennis courts.
Please
note that selection criteria for attendance at the workshop
will be similar to that for regular Cold Spring Harbor
courses. Limited financial support is available but will
not influence the selection process. Workshop students
are expected to stay for the duration of the course. The
workshop will begin on the morning of June 14 (students
are encouraged to arrive on the afternoon or evening of
June 13) and end by lunchtime on June 21. The workshop
will be held at the Laboratory’s Banbury Conference
Center located on the north shore of Long Island.
