Depression Collection
The depression collection consists of 36 subjects; 12 each depression with psychotic features, depression without psychotic features, and unaffected controls. The groups are matched for age and pH; see table for demographic details. The PMI is significantly longer in the depression group with psychosis as compared to the other two groups.
Demographic Details Chart for Depression Collection
|
Controls |
Depression with psychosis |
Depression without psychosis |
|
Number |
12 |
12 |
12 |
|
Age (mean years) |
46.8 |
41.5 |
42.8 |
|
Sex (M/F) |
8/4 |
6/6 |
7/5 |
|
Race |
11 W, 1 H |
12 W |
11 W, 1 H |
|
Brain pH (mean) |
6.64 |
6.59 |
6.71 |
|
PMI (mean hours) |
25.3 |
35.75 |
23.6 |
|
Suicide |
0 |
9 |
8 |
|
Hemisphere (L/R) |
6/6 |
8/4 |
7/5 |
M, male; F, female; W, white; H, Hispanic; L, left; R, right
Samples Currently Available
|
Area |
Sample |
Amount |
|
|
Frontal |
RNA |
5 ug |
0.5ug/ul |
|
|
Sections (on slides) |
14um thick frozen |
|
|
Cingulate |
RNA |
5 ug |
0.5 ug/ul |
|
|
Sections (on slides) |
14um thick frozen |
|
|
Hippocampus |
Sections (on slides) |
14um thick frozen |
|
|
Amygdala |
Sections (on slides) |
14um thick frozen |
|
|
Occipital |
DNA |
5 ug |
50 ng/ul |
Conditions for Tissue Use
Researchers selected to receive tissue must sign an agreement that sets forth conditions for its use. These conditions require that the researcher:
- test all specimens sent to them
- not share the samples with other researchers
- notify SMRI
a) if the samples are going to be moved to another institution
b) before samples are used for research other than that originally proposed
- not release to other researchers or publish the specimen code, once received
- not publish any individual patient data
- return raw data by uploading files onto our password-protected website at http://www.stanleyresearch.org/brain/. The data should be in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, with measured variables in columns and case numbers in rows. All measured variables should be spelled out completely; the units of measurements should be included, and the assay methodology should be stated. Cells containing missing data, negative values, zeros, or extreme outliers (> 2 S.D. from the group mean) must be accompanied by a footnote explanation. Codes will be returned to investigators when all of these conditions are met.
- if you are submitting microarray data, please include this required information and mail CDs to:
Dr. Maree Webster
The Stanley Medical Research Institute
8401 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 200
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
- not use the tissue commercially unless specifically permitted under agreement with SMRI
How to Request Tissue
Researchers wishing to request tissue must create an account or log in if they already have an account at http://www.stanleyresearch.org/brain/trNewUser.asp, then complete the online Tissue Application.
How Requests are Evaluated
The Tissue Allocation Committee evaluates brain tissue requests monthly. Committee decisions are based on the availability and quantity of tissue requested and how much tissue has already been allocated for this or closely related research. In cases in which SMRI has previously allocated brain collection tissue to individuals, their utilization of it will be a major consideration as to whether additional tissue requests will be granted.
Guidelines for Publishing Study Results
Researchers are asked to include the following phrase in any publication presenting study results that used SMRI brain collection tissue:
Postmortem brain tissue was donated by The Stanley Medical Research Institute's brain collection.
In addition, when publishing research in situations where measurements were made after the specimen code was broken on initial samples, researchers must state in the publication that the work was done "unblinded." Please note that researchers can always apply for re-coded samples if this does occur.
Use of Study Results by The Stanley Medical Research Institute
Results received from researchers become part of the Stanley brain collection data set and will be used for integrative, multivariate analyses.
Results of integrative analyses are published under the aegis of the Stanley brain collection. Individual authorship will be given at the beginning of the article to any researcher whose data constitute 20 percent or more of the data being reported in that article. Individual authorship will also be given to persons involved in data analysis and administration of the brain collection. The Tissue Allocation Committee makes final decisions regarding authorship.
Access to SMRI’s Brain Databases
Researchers wishing to access the SMRI’s Neuropathology Consortium Database and/or the Genomics/Microarray Database must create an account or log in if they already have an account at http://www.stanleyresearch.org/brain/.
Contact Us
Please email us at info@stanleyresearch.org to ask any further questions you may have about the brain collection. We will be happy to provide you with a prompt response.