Perinatal Origins of Neuropsychiatric Disorders: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic perspectives
Palermo, IT
Attendance type(s): In Person
Event Dates: 29 May—1 Jun 2019
The perinatal temporal window is a highly vulnerable time in which environmental factors, such as nutrients, drugs, infections, chemicals and stress, experienced by the mother can be communicated to the offspring and produce lasting consequences on the new-born brain, thus contributing the evolutionary origin of non-communicable neuropsychiatric diseases.
Most of these disorders are preventable, since they are due to modifiable risk factors such as lifestyle and the environment. Nevertheless, the increase in perinatal exposure to drugs, substances of abuse, pathogens, nutritional deficits and in immune over-reactivity can partly explain the high prevalence of neuropsychiatric disorders over recent decades. They include teratogenesis, dysfunction of the reproductive, neurocognitive and immune systems, autism, and addiction, all of which may have a substantial economic and societal impact.
It is therefore necessary to take stock of the latest evidence regarding the underlying molecular mechanisms of epigenetics leading to vulnerability – or resilience – to neuropsychiatric diseases.
On this basis the major experts in the field will gather in Palermo from May 29 to June 1 in order to share the most recent findings with the academic, the medical and the health practitioners.
Covering the topic of the perinatal origins of neuropsychiatric disorders will have worldwide implications to orient the healthcare professionals towards a broader awareness, effective prevention and successful therapeutic strategies.
Organizers:
Carla Cannizzaro, MD, University of Palermo
– Miriam Melis, PhD, University of Cagliari