scholarly journals Autism BrainNet

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew P. Anderson ◽  
Reade Quinton ◽  
Karen Kelly ◽  
Andrew Falzon ◽  
Alycia Halladay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Tissue ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Postmortem Brain ◽  
Human Brain Tissue ◽  
Unexpected Death ◽  
Human Postmortem Brain ◽  
Medical Examiners ◽  
Collection Sites

Context.— Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects over 1% of the population worldwide. Developing effective preventions and treatments for autism will depend on understanding the neuropathology of the disorder. While evidence from magnetic resonance imaging indicates altered development of the autistic brain, it lacks the resolution needed to identify the cellular and molecular underpinnings of the disorder. Postmortem studies of human brain tissue currently represent the only viable option to pursuing these critical studies. Historically, the availability of autism brain tissue has been extremely limited. Objective.— To overcome this limitation, Autism BrainNet, funded by the Simons Foundation, was formed as a network of brain collection sites that work in a coordinated fashion to develop a library of human postmortem brain tissues for distribution to researchers worldwide. Autism BrainNet has collection sites (or Nodes) in California, Texas, and Massachusetts; affiliated, international Nodes are located in Oxford, England and Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Data Sources.— Pubmed, Autism BrainNet. Conclusions.— Because the death of autistic individuals is often because of an accident, drowning, suicide, or sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, they often are seen in a Medical Examiner's or Coroner's office. Yet, autism is rarely considered when evaluating the cause of death. Advances in our understanding of chronic traumatic encephalopathy have occurred because medical examiners and neuropathologists questioned whether a pathologic change might exist in individuals who played contact sports and later developed severe behavioral problems. This article highlights the potential for equally significant breakthroughs in autism arising from the proactive efforts of medical examiners, pathologists, and coroners in partnership with Autism BrainNet.

Tract tracing, neuronal morphology and ultrastructural studies in human postmortem brain

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 470-471
Author(s):  
Rosalinda C. Roberts ◽  
Michael W. Vogel ◽  
Maarten de Rijk ◽  
Frank J. Peretti ◽  
Robert R. Conley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Tissue ◽  
Neuronal Morphology ◽  
Postmortem Brain ◽  
Human Brain Tissue ◽  
Tract Tracing ◽  
Human Postmortem Brain ◽  
Ultrastructural Studies ◽  
Carbocyanine Dye ◽  
Postmortem Brain Tissue ◽  
Golgi Staining

Classical and modern neuroanatomical techniques are applied to an analysis of the neuroanatomical basis of schizophrenia using postmortem brain tissue from the Maryland Brain Collection. Techniques for Golgi staining of cell bodies and dendritic arbors, axonal tract tracing with the carbocyanine dye, DiI and ultrastructural analyses will be used to study brain tissue with postmortem times of less than 6 hours. Although these techniques are routinely used in animal models, they are rarely used for studying human brain tissue. These techniques will allow us to characterize neuronal architecture in normal and diseased brains.

Cells in human postmortem brain tissue slices remain alive for several weeks in culture

2002 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald W. H. Verwer ◽  
Wim T. J. M. C. Hermens ◽  
Paul A. Dijkhuizen ◽  
Olivier Ter Brake ◽  
Robert E. Baker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Tissue ◽  
Postmortem Brain ◽  
Tissue Slices ◽  
Human Postmortem Brain ◽  
Postmortem Brain Tissue

scholarly journals Transglutaminase 2 Induces Deficits in Social Behavior in Mice

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Crider ◽  
Talisha Davis ◽  
Anthony O. Ahmed ◽  
Lin Mei ◽  
Anilkumar Pillai
Keyword(s):  
Social Behavior ◽  
Er Stress ◽  
Transglutaminase 2 ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Postmortem Brain ◽  
Postmortem Human Brain ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Human Postmortem Brain ◽  
Protein Levels

Impairments in social behavior are highly implicated in many neuropsychiatric disorders. Recent studies indicate a role for endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in altering social behavior, but the underlying mechanism is not known. In the present study, we examined the role of transglutaminase 2 (TG2), a calcium-dependent enzyme known to be induced following ER stress, in social behavior in mice. ER stress induced by tunicamycin administration increased TG2 protein levels in the mouse prefrontal cortex (PFC). PFC-specific inhibition of TG2 attenuated ER stress-induced deficits in social behavior. Conversely, overexpression of TG2 in the PFC resulted in social behavior impairments in mice. In addition, systemic administration of cysteamine, a TG2 inhibitor, attenuated social behavior deficits. Our preliminary findings using postmortem human brain samples found increases in TG2 mRNA and protein levels in the middle frontal gyrus of subjects with autism spectrum disorder. These findings in mice and human postmortem brain samples identify changes in TG2 activity in the possible dysregulation of social behavior.

scholarly journals "At that moment, understanding the donation is crucial to make a decision": A qualitative study exploring the process of postmortem brain tissue donation after suicide

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Stopinski Padoan ◽  
Lucas França Garcia ◽  
Kleber Cardoso Crespo ◽  
Vanessa Kenne Longaray ◽  
Murilo Martini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Brain Tissue ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Postmortem Brain ◽  
Tissue Donation ◽  
Unexpected Death ◽  
Brain Donation ◽  
Donation Process ◽  
Postmortem Brain Tissue

Abstract Background: The direct examination of postmortem brain tissue can provide valuable help in refining knowledge on the pathophysiology and genetics of neuropsychiatric disorders. Obtaining postmortem consent for the donation of brain tissue after death by suicide can be difficult, as families may be overwhelmed by a violent and unexpected death. Examining the process of brain donation can inform on how the request can best be conducted, examining the existing barriers and enhancing communication, to the benefit of proxy donors. Methods: This is a qualitative study, in which we employed in-depth interviews to investigate the donation process. Family members of decedents who were eligible for brain tissue donation were asked to consider the donation; irrespective of their decision, they were invited for an interview on the donation process at least 2 months after the suicide. Data collection and analyses were carried out according to a grounded theory framework, and collection, coding, and theorization occurred simultaneously. Findings: Forty-one people participated in this study, 32 family members who had consented to donation and 9 who refused it. Five key themes emerged from our data analysis: the context of the families of potential donors, the invitation to talk to the research team, the experience with the request protocol, the participants' assessment of the experience, and their participation in the study as an opportunity to heal. We arranged the main categories around 3 central stages of the experience described by participants: before the donation request, the request, and after the request. Conclusions: The participants indicated that a brain donation request that is respectful and tactful can be made without adding to the family distress brought on by suicide and is viewed in a highly positive lens in the months following the event. Having an adequate understanding of tissue donation for research was crucial for satisfactory decision-making. Meeting with the donation team was considered a chance to talk to mental health professionals about suicide. Pondering brain donation was seen as an opportunity to transform the meaning of the death and invest it with a modicum of solace for being able to contribute to research.

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