UPDATED
3 January 2018
Letter from the Director
As we transition from 2017 to 2018, we are thankful to many individuals and groups who have helped Autism BrainNet further its goal of collecting critical brain tissue to fuel essential research about autism spectrum disorder. We first thank the 42 families that made donations to Autism BrainNet in 2017. Their calls to Autism BrainNet are made when they are going through an extremely difficult time and we are so appreciative of their thoughtfulness and foresight. And, we are thankful for you, the readers of this Newsletter, who have expressed an interest in learning more about how postmortem brain donations can foster discoveries leading to better treatments for ASD. We consider you to be ambassadors for Autism BrainNet and hope that you will spread the message of the need for brain donation to members of your community.
 
Looking ahead, we plan to increase our efforts at outreach. We will be establishing new programs to bring the need for brain donation to a much wider audience. Click here to find out more about how we will be expanding our outreach efforts in 2018 .
Thank You
RESEARCH
Autism BrainNet Highlighted at NAME Meeting
Schumann at NAME Meeting
Dr. Schumann speaking at the NAME Meeting in Phoenix.
In October, Autism BrainNet node director Cyndi Schumann, PhD, from the UC Davis MIND Institute and Autism BrainNet researcher Jensyn Cone, MD, from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center presented a talk on Autism BrainNet to over 300 medical examiners at the National Association of Medical Examiners Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona. Medical Examiners have facilitated several brain donations to the Autism BrainNet program. At this meeting, Dr. Schumann indicated how over 30 studies were supported through one brain donation enabled by a medical examiner.
IN THE NEWS
Autism and Aging
A Special IAN Report
Courtesy of the Interactive Autism Network
The Interactive Autism Network recently published a report titled “How Does Autism Change Throughout the Lifespan”, highlighting work by Autism BrainNet supported researchers on changes that take place in the brain as people with autism get older.

YEAR-END SUMMARY
Autism Science Foundation Year-End Summary Highlights Work Done with Autism BrainNet Resources
The Autism Science Foundation compiled its annual year-end science summary. ASF Chief Science Officer, Dr. Alycia Halladay, and its Scientific Advisory Board highlighted their choices of the year's research with the greatest potential to impact families. Research done with brain tissue from Autism BrainNet provided important insights:

  • The largest study to date on methylation in autism found greater levels of methylation in autism brains compared to those without autism; this is an indication of epigenetic changes in the autistic brain.
  • Another study found that areas that are more or less methylated in autism are highly related to the immune system and neurodevelopment.
  • A study at Autism BrainNet node, UC Davis MIND Institute, found unique growth patterns of amygdala neurons in the autism brain that may partially explain changes in autism symptoms with age.

Click here to read the full summary or here to listen to it on ASF's podcast.

Additional highlights of research and other interesting stories from 2017 can be found in Spectrum's Special Report, 2017: Year in Review .
WEBINARS
Please Join Us for the Next Autism BrainNet Webinar!
ABN Webinar with Christopher Walsh, MD, PhD
On January 22nd at 1PM EST and 10AM PST, Christopher Walsh, MD, PhD, Autism BrainNet researcher and Chief of the Division of Genetics at Boston Children's Hospital, will present data on genetic mutations that occur in the brain, and only in the brain. These mutations, named post-zygotic mutations, are seen only in the brain because they occur after the formation of the zygote, when the embryo starts to form and develop and different types of cells are formed. Dr. Walsh will present data on why these mutations are important for understanding symptoms of autism, and how they contribute to the formation of the autistic brain.  

Please click on the updated link here for more information: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1876530285585726465
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Autism BrainNet was thrilled to participate in dozens of autism walks, community meetings and scientific talks in 2017!
Events from this Fall
AS Walk Philadelphia 10-21-17
It didn't take brains to get the awesome It Takes Brains temporary tattoos at the Autism Speaks Walk Philadelphia in October.
AS Walk Phoenix 10-29-17
Walkers enjoyed the Arizona sun and learned about the Autism BrainNet at the Autism Speaks Walk Phoenix in October.
AS Walk East Bay
Melissa Miller helped participants register for the Autism BrainNet at the Autism Speaks Walk East Bay in November.
Dr. Alycia Halladay spoke to residents of Dutchess County in NY highlighting the latest autism research and findings, especially from the Autism BrainNet, as part of their ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative in December.
Thank you so much for visiting Autism BrainNet!