Latest Research In Thyroid Disease and Free Public Health Event at ATA Meeting

Newswise — The latest clinical and basic research findings on thyroid disease will be presented at the American Thyroid Association's (ATA) 79th Annual Meeting, October 1-5, 2008, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers in Chicago, Il. The meeting will bring together experts in thyroid health from the United States and around the world.

"The program is designed to address important management questions in clinical thyroidology and it contains cutting-edge information about recent basic science developments," said Erik Alexander, M.D., co-chair of the ATA Program Committee. "Moreover, it has a strong emphasis on translational aspects, e.g. presentations on emerging therapies for advanced thyroid cancer that are based on recent insights into the molecular pathogenesis of these malignancies."

"The ATA meeting will provide a wide range of educational opportunities for all those interested in thyroid disease and research," said Program Committee Co-chair Sissy Jhiang, PhD. "It will offer stimulating symposia, lectures, meet the professor sessions, workshops and poster sessions covering a broad spectrum of clinical, translational and basic science topics by an international group of experts in the field of thyroidology."

Patient Information From Experts and PatientsThe public is invited to a free educational forum on thyroid disorders and their treatment that will be held on Thursday, October 2, from 7:00 " 8:30 p.m. at the Sheraton IV Ballroom, Fourth Floor, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. Thyroid experts and patients will be on hand to answer questions from patients, their families, and other attendees. This forum is presented by the ATA Alliance for Thyroid Patient Education, which includes the ATA, ThyCA: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, the Light of Life Foundation, and the National Graves' Disease Foundation.

To RSVP, contact the Thyroid Foundation of America at 1-800-832-8321, ThyCa at [email protected] , or Light of Life Foundation at 1-800-LOL-NECK or [email protected]. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Second Annual Iodine Deficiency Disorders SymposiumFor the second time in its history, the ATA offered a translational symposium on the topic of iodine deficiency disorders to address the current needs and challenges associated with this important health issue. The symposium was held at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers on Wednesday, October 1.

New Insights on Thyroid DiseaseRespected thyroid experts will also be presenting key information on:"¢ The latest approaches to care of thyroid patients, including sessions on thyroid cancer, pediatric thyroidology, and thyroid surgery. "¢ A translational symposium on New Developments in Thyroid Autoimmunity that will highlight the successes and current challenges of this important public health issue."¢ Thyroid Grand Rounds will address Pregnancy: Who, When & How to Adjust Thyroid Hormone Therapy Before and During Gestation. "¢ Translational and basic science symposia will apply the latest laboratory findings to clinical care and include; Thyroid Hormone Analogues: Past, Present and Future and Advances in Thyroid Hormone Economy. "¢ A historical vignette on The Development and History of the Newborn Thyroid Screen.

New Basic Fellows' TrackFor the second time, the meeting will offer a basic fellows' track, alongside the clinical fellows' track, which has proven to be highly successful. Over 75 clinical and basic fellows will be invited to attend the meeting and participate in these special programs. These integrated programs feature specialized and customized workshops targeted to the fellows, all woven into the regular scientific meeting.

For more information about the ATA and the new research being presented at the Annual Meeting, go to http://www.thyroid.org

The American Thyroid Association (ATA) is the lead organization in promoting thyroid health and understanding thyroid biology. The ATA values scientific inquiry, clinical excellence, public service, education, collaboration, and collegiality.

A non-profit medical society founded in 1923, the ATA fulfills its mission through supporting excellence and innovation in research, clinical care, education, and public health. ATA members are physicians and scientists who work to enhance the understanding of thyroid physiology and pathophysiology, improve the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases, and promote the education of physicians, patients, and the public about thyroid disorders.

Thyroid diseases are among the most common disorders of the endocrine system, affecting almost 13 million Americans alone. The ATA has extensive online information for patients on thyroid disease (in English and Spanish) serving the clinician as a resource for patients and the public who look for reliable information on the internet. To further benefit patients, the ATA Alliance for Patient Education was formed in 2002 to offer an exchange of information between the ATA and four patient groups: ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors, Inc.; the Light of Life Foundation, and the National Graves' Disease Foundation. A public forum is held each year in conjunction with the ATA annual meeting.

Thyroid Research grants total over $400,000 annually to young investigators. Publications sourced by this research and application procedures are available at http://www.thyroid.org.