Theme: Gene-environment interactions in neurological disorders: a contemporary update

The school aims to provide a rounded scholarly contemporary update on gene-environmental interactions in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders.
The global burden of neurological disorders continues to rise with huge consequence on quality of life. Though genetic vulnerabilities have been established as major risk factors for these disorders including Alzheimer’s Parkinson’s, autism, amongst others, contributions from environmental factors to pathogenesis of neurological disorders are overwhelming particularly in many idiopathic forms. Hence, the involvement of an interplay of genetic and environmental factors has been increasing investigated, and providing significant contributions to the field. Given the increased occurrence of environmental toxicants, particularly within the African region, as well as growing poverty levels in countries such as Nigeria, there is thus a need to accelerate research from within the continent that focuses role of gene-environmental interplay in neurological disorders, while also driving advocacy for policies that improve environmental conditions within the region. In this context, participants will receive insightful and inspiring lectures from globally reputable scholars on relevant to the theme of the school. The theoretical knowledge will be further enhanced with hands-on exposure to both basic and advanced research techniques including use of rodents and Caenorhabditis elegans model, neurobehavioural analysis, immunohistochemistry, microscopy, and imaging analysis using open-source software.