Broadcast 35: Environmental Causes of Neuro-Developmental Disabilities

Cindy Lawler, Ph.D., joined us and discussed groundbreaking new research into the role of environmental contributors to neurodevelopmental diseases, including those that impact language processing. This research is supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Dr. Lawler is acting chief of the Cellular, Organs, and Systems Pathobiology Branch in the Division of Extramural Research and Training. She is the lead NIEHS representative for extramural autism activities. This includes responsibilities as a program official for the NIH-funded Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI) study, the Childhood Autism Risk from Genes and Environment (CHARGE) study, the Markers of Autism Risk in Babies-Learning Early Signs (MARBLES), and a multidisciplinary center that addresses environmental contributors to autism.  In addition to her programmatic role in autism activities, Lawler has primary responsibility for the NIEHS extramural portfolio of research in Parkinson’s disease research. She developed and manages the Centers for Neurodegeneration Science Program, which supports highly integrated teams of investigators studying genetic and environmental risks for Parkinson’s disease.

Watch the video below for our discussion or click here to download the presentation for this Live Broadcast in pdf format.