Welcome to a workshop titled ’Translational Research on Neurodevelopmental Disorders’, organised by the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) in collaboration with Kuopio Brain & Mind and Neurocenter Finland on May 27, 2024. This workshop will bring together leading scientists in the field to discuss and outline areas for future research from diverse cross-sectoral viewpoints.

Registration and call for abstracts open until 30 April
There is same electronic form for both registration and abstract submission.
Please submit a short abstract including the title (max 400 words) for 10 minutes oral or poster presentation.

Registration (compulsory)
•    PhD students and faculty members from UEF: no registration fee
•    PhD students from the other universities: no registration fee
•    Other participants: 100 EUR (inc. VAT 0%).
Please pay the registration fee in Euros in full by bank transfer by April 30, 2024. Bank account: Danske Bank FI87 8919 9710 0011 36. Please make sure your name and the project ”Neurodevelopmental disorders course 2934000150211” are stated as reference on your remittance.

Programme

9:00–12:00 Role of early inflammatory activation in microglia/neuron crosstalk in autism spectrum disorders

Tarja Malm, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio campus:
iPSCs and immunocompetent brain organoids from human cells to target the complexity of microglia-neuron interaction in ASD

Carsten Culmsee, Philipps-University of Marburg, Germany:
Impact of Cacna1c gene haploinsufficiency on mitochondrial resilience and neuro-inflammatory responses

Sponsor’ talk: Scanbur

Coffee

Laura Ricceri, Instituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy:
The contribution of models based on developmental immune activation to the study of autism spectrum disorder

Markus Wöhr, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium:
Assessing behavioural alterations with relevance to neurodevelopmental disorders through ultrasound playback in rodents

Judith Alferink, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany:
Role of the psychiatric risk gene Cacna1c in inflammation and mental disorders

Sponsor’s talk: Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Lunch

13:00–15:00 Research on neurodevelopmental disorders in Finland and PPI

Pia-Maria Topi, Autism Finland:
Patient participation and public involvement (PPI) in autism spectrum disorders

Eija Kärnä, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu campus:
PEICAS: Peer Interactions involving Children with Autism Spectrum disorder in inclusive classrooms

Maija Castrén, University of Helsinki:
Neurodevelopmental mechanisms underlying resilience to neuropsychiatric diseases

Takashi Namba, University of Helsinki:
Metabolic regulation of neocortical development and neurodevelopmental disorders

Jaan-Olle Andressoo, University of Helsinki:
GDNF modulating schizophrenia: a promising target for innovative treatment

Sponsor’s talk: Neurocenter Finland

Coffee

15:15– Student presentations

Tarja Malm: Closing the day, posters, mentoring and networking with snacks.

Jukka Jolkkonen
Tutkimusjohtaja, Itä-Suomen yliopisto
jukka.jolkkonen (at) uef.fi