Brain and tissue banks serve the critical purpose of collecting, preserving and distributing tissue to qualified scientific investigators who are dedicated to the improved understanding of autism spectrum disorders and the development of effective treatments.
Donated tissue may provide key information necessary to help gain a better understanding of co-occurring conditions associated with autism.
Tissue donation is accepted by most major religions. All costs incurred by the donation are covered by the tissue bank. The procedure to recover tissue does not interfere with a traditional funeral service.
Parents and caregivers are urged to register their loved ones by contacting the University of Maryland Brain and Tissue Bank – sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and ARI or Autism BrainNet sponsored by SFARI and Autism Speaks:
Autism BrainNet
Toll-free: (877) 333-0999
Email Autism BrainNet
University of Maryland Department of Pediatrics
Toll free: 800-847-1539
Email University of Maryland Brain and Tissue Bank
Exercise may help to lower levels of anxiety in autism
Anxiety is a very common issue for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and a new study from China suggests that vigorous exercise may help to reduce this problem. Hailin Li
Early exposure to pollutants may alter brain’s development
A new study suggests that exposure to air pollutants before birth and during childhood may lead to alterations in white matter microstructure in the brain. Abnormal white matter microstructure has been
Widespread changes detected in the cerebral cortex in autism
New research indicates that in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), changes at the molecular level are present throughout the cerebral cortex rather than solely in cortical regions associated with language and social
Study offers clues about eye contact avoidance in ASD
Adults with autism exhibit less activity in a specific brain region during eye contact than neurotypical adults do, according to a new study. Joy Hirsch and colleagues used a noninvasive neuroimaging method
COVID-19 epidemic’s effects on infant development studied
A new meta-analysis indicates that infants born or raised during the COVID-19 pandemic do not exhibit impaired neurodevelopment overall. However, the study suggests that infants who experienced their first year of
Study indicates that early diagnosis can significantly benefit children with autism
Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) very early in childhood are likely to do significantly better than those diagnosed later, according to a new study from Israel.In their research, Nitzan Gabbay-Dizdar