What happens to the brain tissue once it has been donated?
Immediately after autopsy, the brain tissue will be transported to the brain bank at Oxford Radcliffe Hospital (University of Oxford). Some parts of the brain are rapidly frozen, according to a specific protocol, and stored at -80 degrees Celsius in a locked freezer. Other parts of the brain are treated with different fixatives and preserved. Treated and stored in this way, the brain tissue tends to retain the characteristics necessary for research. The tissue itself is given a unique identification number and stored within the Brain Bank. Details about the donor and their family are kept entirely confidential and held securely on a database in locked files. In order to ensure that the tissue is used responsibly and efficiently, a team of qualified experts review and discuss the scientific merits of research proposals that will involve use of this precious resource. This Tissue Advisory Board is made up of experts in autism, neuroanatomy, neurobiology, neuropathology and neuroscience.
