American Brain Coalition

On March 17, 2021, the American Brain Coalition (ABC), American Academy of Neurology, Autism Speaks, Cerebral Palsy Research Network, and the Society for Neuroscience, in cooperation with the Congressional Neuroscience Caucus (CNC) co-hosted a virtual briefing to discuss neurodevelopmental disorders. The event was opened by ABC’s Board Chair, Dr. Matthew Rizzo, who introduced special guestspeaker, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), co-chair of the CNC. Dr. Donna Murray, Vice President, Head of Clinical Programs for Autism Speaks, moderated the panel, providing the patient advocacy perspective and emphasizing the importance of patients and their families. The panel included Bhooma Aravamuthan, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neurology in the Division of Pediatric Neurology and attending physician in the Cerebral Palsy Center at Washington University in St. Louis; Frances Lefcort, PhD, Professor, Cell Biology & Neuroscience at Montana State University; and Lina Patel, PsyD, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Board Member of the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group.