4 April 2019

A letter from David Amaral, Ph.D., Director of Autism BrainNet

Autism BrainNet Begins New Tissue Distribution Autism BrainNet was established in 2014 with the goal of collecting postmortem brain tissue to promote research on the causes and potential treatments of autism spectrum (ASD) and other related neurodevelopmental disorders. To date, Autism BrainNet has received 153 brain donations, including 59 from individuals with a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of ASD and 17 from individuals with conditions related to ASD, such as epilepsy or other neurodevelopmental disorders. Read the rest of the message.

SCIENCE

Oxytocin in the autism brain 

Credit: Zerbor / Shutterstock

One hypothesis about autism is that difficulties in social interactions may result from an imbalance in the brain system that regulates oxytocin— a chemical compound that modulates many social behaviors. A recent study examined differences in oxytocin receptors between the brains of individuals with and without autism spectrum disorders. Read more about this research here.

RNA-editing in autism

Credit: Soleil Nordic / Shutterstock

RNA editing is the process whereby cells can make tiny changes in the RNA sequence and is important for cell function and brain development. A new study now suggests that this mechanism may be altered in the brain cells of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Read more about this research here.

MEET OUR TEAM

A conversation with Patrick Hof, M.D., Director of Autism BrainNet New York node by Serena Bianchi and Lilliam Acosta-Sanchez

Patrick Hof, M.D.

Autism BrainNet relies on the teamwork of many clinical and research staff to acquire and distribute the tissue provided by our donor families. We recently spoke with Patrick Hof, M.D., Director of Autism BrainNet New York node, to learn more about his role and the importance of studying postmortem brain tissue to advance our understanding of autism. Read the conversation here.

IN THE NEWS

Autism brain bank doubles amount of available tissue Read the full story on Spectrum News

HOTLINE

Contact us, we are here to help.

If you have questions about Autism BrainNet and the donation process, email us at: info@autismbrainnet.org If you have questions about making a donation, call our 24 hour hotline:  1-877-333-0999

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Thanks for visiting

Thanks to all the individuals and families that came out to support the autism community and Autism BrainNet.

March 11-17 was Brain Awareness Week. To help celebrate, Patrick Hof, M.D., Director of Autism BrainNet New York node and Alycia Halladay, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at the Autism Science Foundation participated in the Brain Awareness Fair at Mount Sinai Hospital. The event helped raise awareness about the importance and benefits of brain research. Alycia Halladay, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at the Autism Science Foundation and Dr. Michael Alessandri, Executive Director of the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD). Alycia presented to CARD on scientific discoveries in autism, including Autism BrainNet.  Lilliam Acosta-Sanchez, Outreach Manager for Autism BrainNet joined Autism Science Foundation on its sixth annual Day of Learning in support of autism research.

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