Brain banks
Preprint questions validity of postmortem brain studies
But the alternatives, including living-brain biopsies, raise logistical and ethical questions, experts say.
![A brain slice under a microscope.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1200-postmortem-brain-studies-validity-autism.jpg)
Preprint questions validity of postmortem brain studies
But the alternatives, including living-brain biopsies, raise logistical and ethical questions, experts say.
Diversifying autism brain banks: Q&A with Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño
The postmortem brain tissue available for autism research is overwhelmingly from people of Western European heritage. Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño and her colleagues are working to change that.
![Illustration of large globe shaped like a brain sitting in center of room and showing Latin America prominently.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/brainbank-844.jpg)
Diversifying autism brain banks: Q&A with Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño
The postmortem brain tissue available for autism research is overwhelmingly from people of Western European heritage. Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño and her colleagues are working to change that.
Autism brain bank doubles amount of available tissue
Autism BrainNet, a repository of postmortem brains, has new tissue from more than 150 brains, including 59 from people with confirmed or possible autism.
![Human brain tissue](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/20190315-BrainNet-844.jpg)
Autism brain bank doubles amount of available tissue
Autism BrainNet, a repository of postmortem brains, has new tissue from more than 150 brains, including 59 from people with confirmed or possible autism.
Analyzing postmortem brains for autism? Proceed with caution
Any study of postmortem brains must control for artifacts, which are pervasive in brain tissue.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/20190305-Brain-Bank-final-844.jpg)
Analyzing postmortem brains for autism? Proceed with caution
Any study of postmortem brains must control for artifacts, which are pervasive in brain tissue.
Internal recordings of human brain may offer insight into autism
A technique called intracranial electroencephalography can reveal brain functions with great sensitivity and may ultimately unearth the underpinnings of autism.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/20180814-Adolph-brains-844.jpg)
Internal recordings of human brain may offer insight into autism
A technique called intracranial electroencephalography can reveal brain functions with great sensitivity and may ultimately unearth the underpinnings of autism.
Cerebral palsy connection; misleading expressions; multiple maladies and more
New evidence links autism and cerebral palsy at the genetic level, facial expressions tend to mislead, and many health conditions accompany autism.
Cerebral palsy connection; misleading expressions; multiple maladies and more
New evidence links autism and cerebral palsy at the genetic level, facial expressions tend to mislead, and many health conditions accompany autism.
Adult assessment; fragile therapy; neuron nirvana and more
An interview for diagnosing adults on the spectrum clears its first hurdle, a fragile X drug eases multiple features of the syndrome in a mouse model, and a brain bank chronicles the beautiful diversity of neurons.
Adult assessment; fragile therapy; neuron nirvana and more
An interview for diagnosing adults on the spectrum clears its first hurdle, a fragile X drug eases multiple features of the syndrome in a mouse model, and a brain bank chronicles the beautiful diversity of neurons.
Takeaways from SfN 2017
After five days and more than 13,000 abstracts, the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C., has drawn to a close.
![Capitol building with reflections Washingtom DC, USA](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/iStock-636910304.jpg)
Takeaways from SfN 2017
After five days and more than 13,000 abstracts, the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C., has drawn to a close.
Banking on brains for clues to autism
New initiatives aim to increase brain donations for autism research and maximize what scientists can learn from these precious specimens.
![Brain bank slice of brain in lab](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171101-BrainBankslice844-1.jpg)
Banking on brains for clues to autism
New initiatives aim to increase brain donations for autism research and maximize what scientists can learn from these precious specimens.
Wi-Fi flap; obsessive-compulsive link; brain catalog and more
Two researchers balk at talk that Wi-Fi and autism are linked, changes in an autism risk gene are tied to obsessive-compulsive traits in three species, and scientists plan to conduct a census of all of the brain’s cell types.
Wi-Fi flap; obsessive-compulsive link; brain catalog and more
Two researchers balk at talk that Wi-Fi and autism are linked, changes in an autism risk gene are tied to obsessive-compulsive traits in three species, and scientists plan to conduct a census of all of the brain’s cell types.
Explore more from The Transmitter
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
![Research image of neurons in the fly’s ventral nerve cord.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/lede-motormodules-1200-1024x692.webp)
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
![Illustration of researchers talking to laypeople amidst strands of DNA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_Charman-1024x687.webp)
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/paincircuit-1200-1024x692.webp)
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.