Brain Donation Program
- What happens to the brain during autopsy?
The brain is sectioned into the parts: brainstem, hypothalamus, and the rest of the brain. The left side of the brain is quickly frozen and the right side of the brain is placed in fixative (formalin). Cerebrospinal fluid is also collected from the brain. All samples are then shipped overnight to our laboratories at Stanford University for storage until use.
- What do we do with the donated brain tissue?
Several different type of studies can be done with the tissue. Gene expression can be examined and compared with gene expression in control brains. The difference in the expression of different proteins, peptides, or sugars can also be examined. Tissue damage and immune markers can also be quantified in the tissue. We can, for example, look for specific immune markers that may target hypocretin neurons for destruction by your own immune system.
- What have we published using previously donated brain tissue from narcolepsy subjects?
Here are three of our recent publications that involved tissue donated by narcoleptics:
The latter two of these articles are abstracts now, but we are working to complete these studies.
- Are you a pathologist and looking for our brain dissection protocol? Please click here.
