![]() ![]() Despite losing a loved one, some are comforted by knowing that this action may have a broad, positive impact on public health and wellness in the years ahead. One significant benefit of brain donation often catches families by surprise, which is a sense of solace. When donating as part of a study that a person actively participated in while alive, or by donating to the NIH NeuroBioBank, there is no cost to the family for the donation procedure or the autopsy report. However, by examining the brain after death under a microscope, signs of Alzheimer’s disease, such as amyloid plaques and tau tangles, or other brain diseases can be identified. Some lab and imaging tests are now available to help a doctor or researcher see biological signs of the disease in a living person. Sometimes, family members want to confirm, by autopsy, whether their deceased loved one had Alzheimer’s disease or if something else caused the dementia. For others, the main goal is to have a positive impact on their community and future generations. For some, the primary motivation is to help scientists discover new treatments and preventions for disease. People choose to donate their brains after death for various reasons. ![]() But many brains are needed from diverse populations and ages to help researchers investigate the causes of disease and to develop more effective therapies that can then be applied broadly. One donated brain can make a huge impact, potentially providing information for hundreds of studies. Rather than helping to keep others alive, such as with kidney donation, brain donation helps advance scientific research. While many people think that signing up to be an organ donor includes donating their brain, the purpose and the process of brain donation are different. Brain donation provides an opportunity to help researchers better understand these disorders, which can lead to improved treatments for future generations. By studying the brains of people who have died - both those who had a brain disorder and those who were healthy during life - researchers learn more about how types of dementia affect the brain and how we might better treat and prevent them. But sometimes things go awry and cause brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Our brains are amazing, intricate networks that help us think, love, and breathe. ![]()
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