Seventh, Eighth & Ninth International Neural Tube Defects Conferences

描述(申请人提供)：神经管缺陷(NTD)是第二种最常见的出生缺陷，全世界约有324,000名新生儿受到影响。然而，已知的非传染性疾病风险因素只占受影响个人的一小部分，因此只提供了预防的部分解决方案。研究诸如NTDS等复杂疾病的新方法迅速出现，并为许多疾病的预防提供了对病因的新理解和新的前景。虽然这种进展对于非肿瘤疾病是可能的，但由于这些疾病的相对罕见，以及专注于这些疾病的相对较小和地理分散的研究人员群体，这一进展受到了阻碍。国际神经管缺陷会议始于1999年，大约每隔一年举行一次，为NTD研究界提供了一个重要的机会，让他们开会、综合研究成果、促进合作、指导受训人员和发起新的研究努力。这些会议提供了一个重要的催化剂，帮助并无疑将继续推动这一研究领域朝着改进NTD预防战略的目标迈进。第七届国际神经管缺陷大会将于2011年11月6日至9日在德克萨斯州奥斯汀的AT&T高管教育和会议中心举行。 与公共卫生相关：神经管缺陷(NTD)是第二种最常见的出生缺陷。然而，已知的非传染性疾病风险因素只占受影响个人的一小部分，因此只提供了预防的部分解决方案。国际神经管缺陷会议为NTD研究界提供了一个重要的机会，让他们开会、综合研究成果、促进合作、指导受训人员并发起新的研究努力。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common birth defect, affecting approximately 324,000 births worldwide. However, known NTD risk factors account for only a small proportion of affected individuals and, thus provide only a partial solution towards prevention. New approaches for studying complex conditions such as NTDs have emerged rapidly and are providing new understanding of the etiologies, and new prospects for the prevention of many diseases. While such progress is possible for NTDs, it is hampered by the relative rarity of these conditions, and the relatively small and geographically dispersed group of researchers who focus on these conditions. The International Neural Tube Defects Conferences, initiated in 1999 and held, roughly every other year, provide an important opportunity for the NTD research community to meet, synthesize research findings, foster collaborations, mentor trainees and initiate new research endeavors. These meetings provide an important catalyst that has helped and will undoubtedly continue to drive this field of research toward the goal of improved NTD prevention strategies. The Seventh International Neural Tube Defects Conference will be held November 6-9, 2011 at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center in Austin, Texas. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common birth defect. However, known NTD risk factors account for only a small proportion of affected individuals and, thus provide only a partial solution towards prevention. The International Neural Tube Defects Conferences provide an important opportunity for the NTD research community to meet, synthesize research findings, foster collaborations, mentor trainees and initiate new research endeavors.