LAUSR

In the early years of the International Neurotoxicology Association (see Costa, 2013) research aimed at unraveling the biological mechanisms underlying the severe, sometimes clinical, neurobehavioral phenotypes observed in children and adults environmentally and occupationally exposed to various neurotoxic chemicals, such as lead, methylmercury, organic solvents, or pesticides (Baker and Seppalainen, 1986; Bellinger and Stiles, 1993; Grandjean et al., 1995). This goal is reflected in the INA statutes that state the ‘‘. . .purpose of the Association is to promote scientific knowledge regarding the action of toxic agents on the nervous system. . .’’ Thus, the evidence-based prevention of adverse health effects in humans by understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurotoxicity has been a major focus of many biannual INA meetings, long before it was proposed in the toxicology vision statement issued by the National Research Council in 2007 (Council, 2007). Epidemiological data, as well as mechanistic animal and in vitro studies often addressing the same compound (e.g. pesticides) comprised the scientific program of all previous INA meetings (e.g. Lein et al., 2012). The scientific output of these meetings is documented in numerous Special Issues of this journal. When INA celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2013 with the 14th biannual meeting in Egmond aan Zee, The Netherlands (Llorens et al., 2014), the scope of neurotoxicological research presented at the meeting expanded to address less obvious cause– effect relationships where for instance perturbations of biological events earlier in life by neurotoxic chemicals might contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases (Hayden et al., 2010). New technical developments like ‘‘omics’’-technologies and new biostatistical tools as well as the increasing knowledge of how other organs (e.g. lung, gut) influence nervous system development and functioning were also addressed. This expanded spectrum of topics was reflected in the scientific program of INA-15. The overall theme of INA-15 ‘‘Neural mechanisms of functional impairment across the lifespan’’ included recent developments within the scientific community that align perfectly with the original mission of INA. The scientific environment of INA-15 was further enhanced by hosting a joint meeting with the Neurobehavioral Teratology Society (NBTS), now called the Developmental Neurotoxicology Society (DNTS). From June 27th until July 1st 2015, members and friends of the International Neurotoxicology Association (INA) came together for their biannual meeting in Montréal, Quebec, Canada. Researchers