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The collection and processing of human brain tissue for research

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Abstract

To further understand the neuroanatomy, neurochemistry and neuropathology of the normal and diseased human brain, it is essential to have access to human brain tissue where the biological and chemical nature of the tissue is optimally preserved. We have established a human brain bank where brain tissue is optimally processed and stored in order to provide a resource to facilitate neuroscience research of the human brain in health and disease. A donor programme has been established in consultation with the community to provide for the post-mortem donation of brain tissue to the brain bank. We are using this resource of human brain tissue to further investigate the basis of normal neuronal functioning in the human brain as well as the mechanisms of neuronal dysfunction and degeneration in neurodegenerative diseases. We have established a protocol for the preservation of post-mortem adult human brain tissue firstly by snap-freezing unfixed brain tissue and secondly by chemical fixation and then storage of this tissue at −80°C in a human brain bank. Several research techniques such as receptor autoradiography, DNA and RNA analysis, are carried out on the unfixed tissue and immunohistochemical and histological analysis is carried out on the fixed human tissue. Comparison of tissue from normal control cases and from cases with neurodegenerative disorders is carried out in order to document the changes that occur in the brain in these disorders and to further investigate the underlying pathogenesis of these devastating neurological diseases.

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Abbreviations

AC:

Auditory cortex

AMY:

Amygdala

CERAD:

Consortium to establish a registry for Alzheimer’s disease

CG:

Cingulate gyrus

GP:

Globus pallidus

Hp:

Hippocampus

IP:

Inferior parietal cortex

ITG:

Inferior temporal gyrus

LC:

Locus ceruleus

MFG:

Middle frontal gyrus

OFG:

Orbito-frontal gyrus

SM:

Sensory–motor cortex

SNc:

Substantia nigra pars compacta

STG:

Superior temporal gyrus

SFG:

Superior frontal gyrus

THAL:

Thalamus

SP:

Superior parietal cortex

VC:

Visual cortex

VS:

Ventral striatum

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand, the Health Research Council of New Zealand, The University of Auckland, The Mathew Oswin Memorial Trust, the Neurological Associations and, most importantly the brain donors and their families who have all contributed to making this Human Brain Bank possible.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy with Radiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand

    H. J. Waldvogel, J. Y. Bullock, M. A. Curtis & R. L. M. Faull

  2. Auckland City Hospital, Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand

    B. J. Synek

  3. Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZC, Leiden, The Netherlands

    W. M. C. van Roon-Mom

Authors
  1. H. J. Waldvogel
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  2. J. Y. Bullock
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  3. B. J. Synek
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  4. M. A. Curtis
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  5. W. M. C. van Roon-Mom
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  6. R. L. M. Faull
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. J. Waldvogel.

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Waldvogel, H.J., Bullock, J.Y., Synek, B.J. et al. The collection and processing of human brain tissue for research. Cell Tissue Banking 9, 169–179 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-008-9068-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-008-9068-1

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