MARI Scientific Symposium
Marino Autism Research Institute Scientific Symposium: Environment and Autism Etiology, Tuesday April 22, 2008, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Marino Autism Research Institute
Scientific Symposium

Environment and Autism Etiology
Tuesday April 22, 2008
Vanderbilt University - Nashville, Tennessee

At no point is the interaction between genes and environment more critical than during development, when even minor chemical disturbances can have profound, long-term effects on the brain. With over 80,000 compounds registered for use in the U.S., and with genetic complexity, interdisciplinary efforts are needed to address the gene-environment connection in autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

The Marino Autism Research Institute Scientific Symposium was held at Vanderbilt University on April 22, 2008 to provide researchers with a platform to discuss the role of environment in increasing autism risk and impact on the diversity of behavioral and medical symptoms.

View the MARI Symposium event program

Founded in 2006, the Marino Autism Research Institute (MARI) is a virtual institute, which fosters innovative, collaborative research endeavors among investigators. MARI currently funds investigators at Vanderbilt University and University of Miami.

Image Galleries

All photos courtesy of Gerlinde Photography, Michael Hopkins

Environment and Autism Etiology Marino Autism Research Institute (MARI) Scientific Symposium, April 22, 2008
View full slideshow from April 22

MARI directors, MARI Symposium presenters, and Dan Marino Foundation leaders (left to right, seated) Craig Newschaffer, Wendy Stone, Isaac Pessah, Darryl Hood, BethAnn McLaughlin, Mark Noble (left to right, standing) Irva Hertz-Picciotto, James Sutcliffe, Michael Aschner, Pat Levitt, Claire Marino, Dan Marino, Mary Partin, Daniel Messinger, Theodore Slotkin, Peter Mundy, Michael Alessandri MARI Symposium presenters and Dan Marino Foundation leaders (left to right, seated) Craig Newschaffer, Irva Hertz-Picciotto, Isaac Pessah, Darryl Hood, BethAnn McLaughlin, Mark Noble (left to right, standing) James Sutcliffe, Michael Aschner, Pat Levitt, Claire Marino, Dan Marino, Mary Partin, Theodore Slotkin, Peter Mundy , MARI leadership for Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Pat Levitt, Claire Marino, Dan Marino, Wendy Stone, Mary Partin, BethAnn McLaughlin

Dan Marino and the Dan Marino Foundation expressed their appreciation to Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Leadership Council members and other supporters at a celebration at the Parthenon on April 21, 2008
View full slideshow from April 21

Dan and Claire Marino and Mary Partin, CEO of the Dan Marino Foundation, tour the neurobiology laboratories of Pat Levitt and BethAnn McLaughlin
View full slideshow

Biobehavioral Research and Autism Research at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
View full slideshow

This album incorporates Lytebox by Markus Hay.

MARI Symposium Webcast

Opening Remarks: Welcome Introduction, Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., Dan Marino, and Wendy Stone, Ph.D.
Windows Media Player | Real Media

Introduction to Clinical and Behavioral Aspects of ASD, Peter Mundy, Ph.D., University of California-Davis
Windows Media Player | Real Media

Genetics of ASD, James Sutcliffe, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University
Windows Media Player | Real Media
Presentation (.ppt)

Linking Genes and Neurobiology, Pat Levitt, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University
Windows Media Player | Real Media
Presentation (.ppt)

Epidemiologic Approaches for Studying Environmental Influences on ASD, Craig Newschaffer, Ph.D., Drexel University
Windows Media Player | Real Media

Environmental Agents in ASD: Epidemiologic Perspective, Irva Hertz-Picciotto, Ph.D., M.P.H
Windows Media Player | Real Media
Presentation (.ppt)

Environmental Agents in ASD: Molecular and Toxicologic Clues, Isaac Pessah, Ph.D. University of California-Davis
Windows Media Player | Real Media
Presentation (.ppt)

Metabolic Consequences of Environmental Stressors, BethAnn McLaughlin, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University
Windows Media Player | Real Media
Presentation (.ppt)

Metals in ASD, Michael Aschner, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University
Windows Media Player | Real Media
Presentation (.ppt)

Convergent Mechanisms in the Autism/Toxicology Oxidative Phenotype, Mark Noble, Ph.D., University of Rochester
Windows Media Player | Real Media
Presentation (.ppt)

Molecular Dysfunction Following Environmental Intoxication During Gestation, Darryl B. Hood, Ph.D., Meharry Medical College
Windows Media Player | Real Media
Presentation (.ppt) | Mouse Clip (.wmv)

Drug and Chemical Exposures in Animal Models Related to ASD, Theodore Slotkin, Ph.D., Duke University
Windows Media Player | Real Media
Presentation (.ppt)

Closing Remarks,
Windows Media Player | Real Media