Dr. Brownstein specializes in the discovery of new genes for rare and orphan diseases. She has put her background and training to use in projects with the Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, the Developmental Neuropsychiatry Program, The Early Psychosis Investigation Center (EPICenter), The Tommy Fuss Center, and Robert’s Program in Sudden and Unexpected Death in Pediatrics. Her research has elucidated phosphate regulation and the genetic causes of intellectual disability. Dr. Brownstein is currently focusing on investigating the genetics of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and increasing access to genetic medicine.
Research Background
Dr. Brownstein is an Assistant Professor in Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and a Research Associate in the Division of Genetics and Genomics at Boston Children's Hospital. As the Scientific Director for the Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research Gene Discovery Core, Dr. Brownstein has been instrumental in the elucidation of several new disease genes for conditions such as intellectual disability, nemaline myopathy, very early onset psychosis, SIDS, and hypophosphatemic rickets. Her current work focuses on advancing the fields of genome sequencing and analysis, with an emphasis on identifying complex structural variation.
Dr. Brownstein is also the assistant director of the Molecular Genetics Core Facility, and is dedicated to assisting investigators in achieving their research goals.
Publications
Sentiments of Individuals with Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome Toward Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium: Infodemiology Study. JMIR Form Res. 2025 Jan 17; 9:e54209. View Abstract
Pediatric erythromelalgia from multidisciplinary perspectives: a scoping review. Pediatr Res. 2025 Jan 16. View Abstract
Hospital-wide access to genomic data advanced pediatric rare disease research and clinical outcomes. NPJ Genom Med. 2024 Dec 02; 9(1):60. View Abstract
Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia in an infant: diagnosis and management quandaries. J Bone Miner Res. 2024 Sep 26; 39(10):1406-1411. View Abstract
Cell-type-specific effects of autism-associated 15q duplication syndrome in the human brain. Am J Hum Genet. 2024 Aug 08; 111(8):1544-1558. View Abstract
Cell-type-specific effects of autism-associated chromosome 15q11.2-13.1 duplications in human brain. bioRxiv. 2024 May 22. View Abstract
High number of candidate gene variants are identified as disease-causing in a period of 4?years. Am J Med Genet A. 2024 05; 194(5):e63509. View Abstract
Hemizygous variants in protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 3F (PPP1R3F) are associated with a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability and autistic features. Hum Mol Genet. 2023 10 04; 32(20):2981-2995. View Abstract
Clinical Characterization of Pediatric Erythromelalgia: A Single-Center Case Series. Children (Basel). 2023 Jul 26; 10(8). View Abstract
Returning Individual Research Results from Digital Phenotyping in Psychiatry. Am J Bioeth. 2024 Feb; 24(2):69-90. View Abstract
Using social media listening to understand barriers to genomic medicine for those living with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and hypermobility spectrum disorders. Health Expect. 2023 08; 26(4):1524-1535. View Abstract
X-linked hypophosphatemia in 4 generations due to an exon 13-15 duplication in PHEX, in the absence of the c.*231A>G variant. Bone. 2023 07; 172:116763. View Abstract
Children with Early-Onset Psychosis Have Increased Burden of Rare GRIN2A Variants. Genes (Basel). 2023 03 23; 14(4). View Abstract
Reanalysis of clinical exome identifies the second variant in two individuals with recessive disorders. Eur J Hum Genet. 2023 06; 31(6):712-715. View Abstract
Genetic Predisposition to Neurological Complications in Patients with COVID-19. Biomolecules. 2023 01 09; 13(1). View Abstract
Mendelian Disorders in an Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome Cohort. Adv Genet (Hoboken). 2023 Mar; 4(1):2200013. View Abstract
Copy Number Variation and Structural Genomic Findings in 116 Cases of Sudden Unexplained Death between 1 and 28 Months of Age. Adv Genet (Hoboken). 2023 Mar; 4(1):2200012. View Abstract
16p13.11 deletion variants associated with neuropsychiatric disorders cause morphological and synaptic changes in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. Front Psychiatry. 2022; 13:924956. View Abstract
Similar Rates of Deleterious Copy Number Variants in Early-Onset Psychosis and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 2022 11 01; 179(11):853-861. View Abstract
The Phenotypic Continuum of ATPLA3-Related Disorders. Neurology. 2022 Jul 18. View Abstract
The Phenotypic Continuum of ATP1A3-Related Disorders. Neurology. 2022 10 04; 99(14):e1511-e1526. View Abstract
Novel CAPN1 missense variants in complex hereditary spastic paraplegia with early-onset psychosis. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2022 04; 9(4):570-576. View Abstract
Drosophila functional screening of de novo variants in autism uncovers damaging variants and facilitates discovery of rare neurodevelopmental diseases. Cell Rep. 2022 03 15; 38(11):110517. View Abstract
Mendelian etiologies identified with whole exome sequencing in cerebral palsy. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2022 02; 9(2):193-205. View Abstract
Genetic Determinants of Sudden Unexpected Death in Pediatrics. Genet Med. 2022 04; 24(4):839-850. View Abstract
Optical genome mapping identifies rare structural variations as predisposition factors associated with severe COVID-19. iScience. 2022 Feb 18; 25(2):103760. View Abstract
Artificial intelligence enables comprehensive genome interpretation and nomination of candidate diagnoses for rare genetic diseases. Genome Med. 2021 10 14; 13(1):153. View Abstract
A homozygous stop-gain variant in ARHGAP42 is associated with childhood interstitial lung disease, systemic hypertension, and immunological findings. PLoS Genet. 2021 07; 17(7):e1009639. View Abstract
Early role for a Na+,K+-ATPase (ATP1A3) in brain development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2021 06 22; 118(25). View Abstract
A data-driven architecture using natural language processing to improve phenotyping efficiency and accelerate genetic diagnoses of rare disorders. HGG Adv. 2021 Jul; 2(3). View Abstract
Underrepresentation of Phenotypic Variability of 16p13.11 Microduplication Syndrome Assessed With an Online Self-Phenotyping Tool (Phenotypr): Cohort Study. J Med Internet Res. 2021 03 16; 23(3):e21023. View Abstract
RCL1 copy number variants are associated with a range of neuropsychiatric phenotypes. Mol Psychiatry. 2021 05; 26(5):1706-1718. View Abstract
Alternative genomic diagnoses for individuals with a clinical diagnosis of Dubowitz syndrome. Am J Med Genet A. 2021 01; 185(1):119-133. View Abstract
Current knowledge of SLC6A1-related neurodevelopmental disorders. Brain Commun. 2020; 2(2):fcaa170. View Abstract
A de novo BRPF1 variant in a case of Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood. Eur J Med Genet. 2020 Sep; 63(9):104002. View Abstract
Children's rare disease cohorts: an integrative research and clinical genomics initiative. NPJ Genom Med. 2020; 5:29. View Abstract
Children's rare disease cohorts: an integrative research and clinical genomics initiative. NPJ Genom Med. 2020 Jul 06; 5(1):29. View Abstract
The role of sodium channels in sudden unexpected death in pediatrics. Mol Genet Genomic Med. 2020 08; 8(8):e1309. View Abstract
Congenital Heart Defects Due to TAF1 Missense Variants. Circ Genom Precis Med. 2020 06; 13(3):e002843. View Abstract
A novel missense mutation in TFAP2B associated with Char syndrome and central diabetes insipidus. Am J Med Genet A. 2019 07; 179(7):1299-1303. View Abstract
ClinPhen extracts and prioritizes patient phenotypes directly from medical records to expedite genetic disease diagnosis. Genet Med. 2019 07; 21(7):1585-1593. View Abstract
De novo variant of TRRAP in a patient with very early onset psychosis in the context of non-verbal learning disability and obsessive-compulsive disorder: a case report. BMC Med Genet. 2018 11 13; 19(1):197. View Abstract
De novo variant in KIF26B is associated with pontocerebellar hypoplasia with infantile spinal muscular atrophy. Am J Med Genet A. 2018 12; 176(12):2623-2629. View Abstract
De novo ATP1A3 and compound heterozygous NLRP3 mutations in a child with autism spectrum disorder, episodic fatigue and somnolence, and muckle-wells syndrome. Mol Genet Metab Rep. 2018 Sep; 16:23-29. View Abstract
Plain-language medical vocabulary for precision diagnosis. Nat Genet. 2018 04; 50(4):474-476. View Abstract
SCN1A variants associated with sudden infant death syndrome. Epilepsia. 2018 04; 59(4):e56-e62. View Abstract
De Novo Mutations in Protein Kinase Genes CAMK2A and CAMK2B Cause Intellectual Disability. Am J Hum Genet. 2017 Nov 02; 101(5):768-788. View Abstract
Monogenic Hashimoto thyroiditis associated with a variant in the thyroglobulin (TG) gene. J Autoimmun. 2018 01; 86:116-119. View Abstract
Homozygous EEF1A2 mutation causes dilated cardiomyopathy, failure to thrive, global developmental delay, epilepsy and early death. Hum Mol Genet. 2017 09 15; 26(18):3545-3552. View Abstract
Beta-Ketothiolase Deficiency Presenting with Metabolic Stroke After a Normal Newborn Screen in Two Individuals. JIMD Rep. 2018; 39:45-54. View Abstract
AIFM1 mutation presenting with fatal encephalomyopathy and mitochondrial disease in an infant. Cold Spring Harb Mol Case Stud. 2017 03; 3(2):a001560. View Abstract
Novel mutation in CNTNAP1 results in congenital hypomyelinating neuropathy. Muscle Nerve. 2017 05; 55(5):761-765. View Abstract
The sensitivity of exome sequencing in identifying pathogenic mutations for LGMD in the United States. J Hum Genet. 2017 Feb; 62(2):243-252. View Abstract
Hippocampal Formation Maldevelopment and Sudden Unexpected Death across the Pediatric Age Spectrum. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 2016 Oct; 75(10):981-997. View Abstract
A novel de novo mutation in ATP1A3 and childhood-onset schizophrenia. Cold Spring Harb Mol Case Stud. 2016 Sep; 2(5):a001008. View Abstract
SLC6A1 Mutation and Ketogenic Diet in Epilepsy With Myoclonic-Atonic Seizures. Pediatr Neurol. 2016 11; 64:77-79. View Abstract
Creating a scalable clinical pharmacogenomics service with automated interpretation and medical record result integration - experience from a pediatric tertiary care facility. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2017 01; 24(1):74-80. View Abstract
Overlapping 16p13.11 deletion and gain of copies variations associated with childhood onset psychosis include genes with mechanistic implications for autism associated pathways: Two case reports. Am J Med Genet A. 2016 May; 170A(5):1165-73. View Abstract
The Matchmaker Exchange: a platform for rare disease gene discovery. Hum Mutat. 2015 Oct; 36(10):915-21. View Abstract
Clinical heterogeneity associated with KCNA1 mutations include cataplexy and nonataxic presentations. Neurogenetics. 2016 Jan; 17(1):11-6. View Abstract
Data sharing in the undiagnosed diseases network. Hum Mutat. 2015 Oct; 36(10):985-8. View Abstract
Clinical management of patients with ASXL1 mutations and Bohring-Opitz syndrome, emphasizing the need for Wilms tumor surveillance. Am J Med Genet A. 2015 Sep; 167A(9):2122-31. View Abstract
Whole exome sequencing identifies RAI1 mutation in a morbidly obese child diagnosed with ROHHAD syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015 May; 100(5):1723-30. View Abstract
Leiomodin-3 dysfunction results in thin filament disorganization and nemaline myopathy. J Clin Invest. 2015 Jan; 125(1):456-7. View Abstract
Leiomodin-3 dysfunction results in thin filament disorganization and nemaline myopathy. J Clin Invest. 2014 Nov; 124(11):4693-708. View Abstract
An assessment of clinician and researcher needs for support in the era of genomic medicine. Per Med. 2014 Aug; 11(6):569-579. View Abstract
An international effort towards developing standards for best practices in analysis, interpretation and reporting of clinical genome sequencing results in the CLARITY Challenge. Genome Biol. 2014 Mar 25; 15(3):R53. View Abstract
Misinterpretation of TPMT by a DTC genetic testing company. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2014 Jun; 95(6):598-600. View Abstract
Identification of KLHL41 Mutations Implicates BTB-Kelch-Mediated Ubiquitination as an Alternate Pathway to Myofibrillar Disruption in Nemaline Myopathy. Am J Hum Genet. 2013 Dec 05; 93(6):1108-17. View Abstract
Mutation of KCNJ8 in a patient with Cantú syndrome with unique vascular abnormalities - support for the role of K(ATP) channels in this condition. Eur J Med Genet. 2013 Dec; 56(12):678-82. View Abstract
Mutations in KLHL40 are a frequent cause of severe autosomal-recessive nemaline myopathy. Am J Hum Genet. 2013 Jul 11; 93(1):6-18. View Abstract
Development of a scalable pharmacogenomic clinical decision support service. AMIA Jt Summits Transl Sci Proc. 2013; 2013:60. View Abstract
Perceived benefits of sharing health data between people with epilepsy on an online platform. Epilepsy Behav. 2012 Jan; 23(1):16-23. View Abstract
Potential for electronic health records and online social networking to redefine medical research. Clin Chem. 2011 Feb; 57(2):196-204. View Abstract
The potential research impact of patient reported outcomes on osteogenesis imperfecta. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2010 Oct; 468(10):2581-5. View Abstract
Concordance between site of onset and limb dominance in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2011 Aug; 82(8):853-4. View Abstract
Sharing health data for better outcomes on PatientsLikeMe. J Med Internet Res. 2010 Jun 14; 12(2):e19. View Abstract
Increased bone volume and correction of HYP mouse hypophosphatemia in the Klotho/HYP mouse. Endocrinology. 2010 Feb; 151(2):492-501. View Abstract
The power of social networking in medicine. Nat Biotechnol. 2009 Oct; 27(10):888-90. View Abstract
A translocation causing increased alpha-klotho level results in hypophosphatemic rickets and hyperparathyroidism. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Mar 04; 105(9):3455-60. View Abstract
Estimating excess mortality in post-invasion Iraq. N Engl J Med. 2008 Jan 31; 358(5):445-7. View Abstract