The Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center has been established as a centralized resource for the collection and distribution of postmortem human brain specimens for brain research. Currently, the Brain Bank collects tissue from various neurological and psychiatric disorders, as well as normal controls. The tissue is provided, at no charge, to the nation's neuroscience community. Research performed using this precious material, has played a critical role in increasing our understanding of how the nervous system functions in both health and disease. This important work could not be accomplished without the assistance of pathologists across the country.
Currently, there is a growing need for tissue from individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and from neurologically normal subjects. Pathologists are urged to encourage families to donate. A neuropathology report will be provided to both the family, and the pathologist. Your generous cooperation and interest in our program is greatly appreciated.
At the time of death, please obtain written Consent from the donor's legal next of kin. We also ask that you fill out our Pathologist Time Record Data Sheet. Call 1-800 Brain Bank prior to brain removal so that we may instruct you, as to which protocol is appropriate.
Please note: Our forms are published in portable document format (PDF). In order to read the files, Adobe Acrobat Reader is required. Download your FREE copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader.