Multiple Risk Factors for ASD: Genetic Predisposition and Environmental Influences

Session Chair: Heather Volk Trainee Co-Leader: Shannon Ellis The goal of this SIG for 2016 is to facilitate and increase the presence of gene-environment interaction studies in ASD. We seek to bring together researchers from epidemiology, environmental science, genetics, and neurobiology to brainstorm strategies to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and research progress. Building on the first year of this SIG (IMFAR 2015), we will use this time to present an overview of statistical methods and study designs used for gene-environment research. We will also highlight work in progress in the area of gene-environment interaction in ASD research with the goals of fostering future collaborative efforts, increasing the number of studies addressing interaction hypotheses, and furthering examination of mechanisms in this work. Presentations will come from experts in statistical methods, animal studies, neurobiology, genetics, and epidemiology.