Mission: The mission of
Human Brain Collection Core (HBCC) is to learn about the causes and mechanisms of mental illnesses, which are brain diseases. To be able to conduct this research, we obtain brains from deceased individuals with and without mental illness. The results will help scientists develop new therapies and preventive strategies.
Sources of Donated Brains: We obtain brains through the Offices of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCMEs) of Virginia and the District of Columbia. Our personnel are notified of potential donations by OCMEs. We then contact the next-of-kin of the decedent to obtain consent for donation of the entire brain and a blood sample. Our personnel audiotape the next-of-kin’s consent as an official record of the donation. Only after obtaining consent, we arrange with the OCMEs to collect the tissues. There is no cost to the next-of-kin or the decedent’s family. There is no direct benefit to the family for allowing the donation. The donation is st
is a collection of 56 essays featuring young people in Singapore, who come from various walks of life.
Apart from showcasing the diversity of young voices in Singapore, these essays also call attention to issues that matter to children, and the broader world.
By Ella Grace Fernee, 11
I came into the world on Jun. 17, 2009, surprisingly six weeks earlier than I was supposed to. Like most babies, I was screaming like a banshee (a very petite one).
Being born so early, I spent my first two weeks of life in the care of the Intensive Care Unit. I know that this may not have anything to do with me being on the spectrum but I thought I may as well mention that, as some medical experts think that premature babies are more likely to develop autism than those that don’t arrive early.