Epigenetics of the Pathogenesis of Language and Speech Impairments: Biological Systems and Behavioral Development​

December 8-10, 2010

Mission Tempe Palms, Phoenix, AZ

Seventeen research scholars from North America, Europe and New Zealand met to share the latest research on the epigenetics of language and speech impairments. Mabel Rice, Director of the Merrill Center, was joined by Joan Hunt, University Distinguished Professor and Vice Chancellor for Biomedical Research Infrastructure at the University of Kansas Medical Center, to conduct the opening session.

This event was supported by the Merrill Advanced Studies Center, the Oregon Health and Science University, and the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Participants pictured below, left to right, standing: John Colombo, Moshe Szyf, John Gilmore, Frank Bloomfield, Dennis Drayna, David Poeppel, Matthias Groszer, John Niparko, George Siberry. Seated: Lisa Freund, Silvia Paracchini, Judith Cooper, Helen Tager-Flusberg, Mabel Rice, Joan Hunt, Peggy McCardle, Shelley Smith, Evelyn Haaheim.  

Standing, left to right: John Colombo, Moshe Szyf, John Gilmore, Frank Bloomfield, Dennis Drayna, David Poeppel, Matthias Groszer, John Niparko, George Siberry. Seated: Lisa Freund, Silvia Paracchini, Judith Cooper, Helen Tager-Flusberg, Mabel Rice, Joan Hunt, Peggy McCardle, Shelley Smith, Evelyn Haaheim.

Agenda 

Wednesday, December 8 

Opening Reception

Dinner 

  • Welcome and remarks – Mabel Rice, Director, Merrill Advanced Studies Center 

Thursday, December 9 

Breakfast 

Group photo, Courtyard 

  • Mabel Rice, “Toward epigenetic models of the pathogenesis of language impairment: Growth phenotypes as windows to timing mechanisms” 
  • Moshe Szyf, Professor, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, “Epigenetic mechanisms mediating the impact of the early environment on behavior” 
  • Discussion – Joan Hunt, Moderator 

Break 

  • Matthias Groszer, INSERM, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, “Monogenetic neurodevelopmental disorders – molecular windows into complex neuropsychiatric syndromes” 
  • Discussion – Peggy McCardle, Moderator 

 

Lunch 

  • Frank Bloomfield, Associate Professor of Neonatology, University of Auckland, “Periconceptional influences on fetal growth and postnatal development” 
  • John Niparko, George T. Nager Professor of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Division of Otology, Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery at Johns Hopkins; Director, The Listening Center at Johns Hopkins, “Spoken Language Development after Cochlear Implantation” 
  • Discussion – George Siberry, Moderator 

Break 

  • David Poeppel, Professor of Psychology and Neural Science, NYU; Director, Center for Language, Speech, and Hearing, “The architecture of speech perception” 
  • John Gilmore, Thad & Alice Eure Distinguished Professor; Vice Chair for Research & Scientific Affairs, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, “Imaging Brain Development in the First Years of Life: Implications for Language Development” 
  • Discussion – Lisa Freund, Moderator 

Break 

  • Helen Tager-Flusberg, Professor of Psychology at Boston University, Professor of Anatomy & Neurobiology and Pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine, Director of the Developmental Science program and the Laboratory of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, “The origins and early development of language in autism spectrum disorder” 
  • Discussion – Judith Cooper, Moderator 

Dinner  

Friday, December 10 

Breakfast 

  • Dennis Drayna, NIDCD, “Genetic Approaches to Understanding the Causes of Stuttering” 
  • Shelley Smith, Professor of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Professor and Chair of Developmental Neuroscience, Munroe Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, “Approaches to epigenetic analysis in language disorders” 
  • Discussion – John Colombo, Moderator 

Break 

  • Silvia Paracchini, Senior post-doctoral fellow, Anthony Monaco’s group at the University of Oxford, “An epidemiological approach to dissect reading and language disorders and their comorbidity” 
  • Discussion – Mabel Rice, Moderator 

Lunch and Departure