SMRI assembled the Array Collection for high-throughput array technologies.  The Array Collection is separate from the Neuropathology Consortium.  It contains samples from 35 individuals in each of three diagnostic groups: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and unaffected controls.  

These specimens were collected, with informed consent from next-of-kin, by participating medical examiners between January 1995 and June 2002. The specimens were all collected, processed, and stored in a standardized way.

Exclusion criteria for all specimens included: 

• significant structural brain pathology on postmortem examination by a qualified neuropathologist or by premortem imaging
• history of significant focal neurological signs premortem
• history of central nervous system disease that could be expected to alter gene expression in a persistent way
• documented IQ < 70
• poor RNA quality (vide infra)  

Additional exclusion criteria for unaffected controls included:

• age less than 30 (thus, still in the period of maximum risk)
• substance abuse within one year of death or evidence of significant alcohol-related changes in the liver  

Diagnoses were made by two senior psychiatrists, using DSM-IV criteria and based on medical records and, when necessary, telephone interviews with family members. Diagnoses of unaffected controls were based on structured interviews by a senior psychiatrist with family member(s) to rule out Axis I diagnoses.

Demographic Details

A summary of the three groups is provided in the Demographic Details Chart.  Detailed demographic information including data on drugs prescribed at the time of death, estimated lifetime exposure to antipsychotics, brain pH, etc. will be made available to researchers once the raw data has been submitted to SMRI.  Brain pH was determined with a Sentron pH meter, using homogenized occipital cortex. RNA integrity and purity were determined with an Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer: Degradation was defined as a shift in the RNA size distribution towards smaller fragments and a decrease in fluorescence signal of ribosomal peaks.

Array Collection Tissue Currently Available

RNA, cDNA and DNA is available from dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (Brodmann's area 46).  Investigators may apply for 2µg aliquots of extracted total RNA, 50ng of cDNA and 500ng of DNA.  RNA is also available from the cingulate cortex in 2µg and 5µg aliquots.  Additional aliquots may be requested pending results of initial studies. Slide-based material for confirmatory analyses (in situ hybridizations) may be requested pending review of the result of the initial studies. 

SMRI also distributes brain tissue for other research uses.  This includes test tissue suitable for working out methodological techniques. This tissue is taken from specimens for which a definitive diagnosis could not be obtained.

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 webpage 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:      

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 courtesy of Drs. Michael B. Knable, E. Fuller Torrey, Maree J. Webster, and Robert H. Yolken.

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.