#NACCT2026
ACMT Pre-Symposium |
Fungus Among Us: Updates in the Toxicology of Mushroom Poisoning

ACMT
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NACCT Website

Pre-Symposium | Fungus Among Us: Updates in the Toxicology of Mushroom Poisoning

Join the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) at the 2026 North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology (NACCT) in San Diego from October 21-25. The ACMT Pre-Meeting on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 will explore the fascinating topic of Updates in the Toxicology of Mushroom Poisoning.

This symposium will examine key aspects of mushroom toxicology, including basic science, foraging mix ups, updates on novel mechanisms of toxicity, emerging clinical syndromes, evolving regulation on cultivated psychoactive mushrooms, and a focus on incorporating lessons from several recent mushroom poisoning outbreaks—including death cap cases—to highlight challenges in clinical recognition and public health response. Bringing together clinicians, toxicologists, public health experts, and mycologists, the program will explore both classic and emerging issues in the field. Overall, the goal is to connect clinical care, public health, and research to improve recognition and management of mushroom-related toxicities.

Learner Objectives

  1. Evaluate common and emerging mushroom poisoning syndromes and their clinical presentations.
  2. Examine current evidence and public health strategies to the evaluation and management of mushroom poisonings and outbreaks.
  3. Discuss advances in mushroom identification, toxin analysis, and regulatory developments to inform clinical practice.

Registration information can be found on the NACCT website at: www.clintox.org/nacct

ACMT Pre-Symposium Agenda | October 21, 2026
Fungus Among Us: Updates in the Toxicology of Mushroom Poisoning

All times listed in local (Pacific) time zone.

8:45-9:00 AMWelcome & Opening Remarks
9:00-9:45 AMHow to Forage for Information: Identification & Analysis 101Gordon Walker, PhD, Author, Fascinated By Fungi; Biochemist, Gordon Walker Consulting LLC
9:45-10:30 AMNew Syndromes Review and AnalysisMichael Yeh, MD, MS, Medical Toxicology Physician, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)
Mark Simon, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Diego
Ryan Feldman, PharmD, Pharmacist, Medical College of Wisconsin
Varun Vohra, PharmD, DABAT, MPH, Senior Director, Michigan Poison & Drug Information Center; Wayne State University Associate Professor, Emergency Medicine,
10:30-10:45 AMMorning Break (15 minutes)
10:45-11:30 AMOutbreak on the Mountain: Gyromitrin and ALS in MontchavinPeter S. Spencer, PhD, FANA, FRCPath, Professor of Neurology, School of Medicine, Oregon & Health Sciences University
Valerie S. Palmer, BS. Emerita Instructor of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University
Emmeline Lagrange, MD, Neurologist, Department of Neurology, Reference Center of Neuromuscular Disease and ALS Consultations, Grenoble University Hospital
11:30-12:00 PMKidneys in the Crosshairs: Expanding the Differential of Nephrotoxic Mushroom PoisoningColleen Cowdery, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Washington Poison Center
12:00-1:15 PMBreak for Lunch (75 minutes)
1:15-2:00 PMA Deadly Harvest: Death Cap Mushroom in CaliforniaColleen Cowdery, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Washington Poison Center
Neliza Pallesco, MPH, CHES, Health Education Program Manager, California Poison Control System
Craig Smollin, MD, FACMT, Clerkship Director, University of California, San Francisco
2:00-3:00 PMOutbreaks and Public Health PanelCraig Smollin, MD, FACMT, Clerkship Director, University of California, San Francisco
Michael Yeh, MD, MS, Medical Toxicology Physician, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)
Russ Bartlett, MPH, Lead for Toxicology Outbreak Program, California Department of Public Health
Gordon Walker, PhD, Author, Fascinated By Fungi; Biochemist, Gordon Walker Consulting LLC
3:00-3:15 PMAfternoon Break (15 minutes)
3:15-3:45 PMClimate Change and Invasive SpeciesCecelia Stokes, PhD Candidate, Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin–Madison
3:45-4:15 PMPsilocybin Lab Testing and Regulation in Commercial MushroomsRobert Hendrickson, MD, FACMT, Board member, American College of Medical Toxicology; Professor of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University; Medical Director of the Oregon Poison Center; Program Director, Fellowship in Medical Toxicology
Maxwell C. K. Leung, PhD, Assistant Professor or Pharmacology and Toxicology; Director, Cannabis Analytics, Safety and Health Initiative, Arizona State University
4:15-4:45 PMLet’s talk about Mushroom databases: the Good the Bad, the Mis-classifiedRobert Hendrickson, MD, FACMT, Professor of Emergency Medicine, Medical Director, Program Director, Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon Poison Center
Colleen Cowdery, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Washington Poison Center
Varun Vohra, PharmD, DABAT, MPH, Senior Director, Michigan Poison & Drug Information Center;Wayne State University Associate Professor, Emergency Medicine,