There is a
difference between organ donation for research and donation
for transplant. Tissue donation for research assists the
field of medicine in the effort to understand disease
and improve treatments. Tissue donation for transplant
can help a living person overcome a specific organ failure.
Donation
of entire bodies for research:
Your local Medical School
is always in need of whole
bodies for anatomy instruction.
Unfortunately, bodies that
have been previously autopsied
or have had specific tissue
removed for donation or research,
are not generally acceptable
for the instructional purpose.
For more information
contact the nearest Medical School Anatomy Department.
Brain donation
for research:
In addition to brain
only autopsies for families
by our board certified
neuropathologists, PSS
also works with many researchers
in North America. We can
match families interested
in brain donation with
research organizations
that focus on the families’ area
of concern. Research organizations
are in need of the following
types of human brains.
| • |
Normal Many
researchers need
normal (without pathology)
human brains to complete
their studies. Normal
brains are important
research tools because
they can be used
in comparison studies. |
| • |
Bipolar (manic-depressive)
Many researchers
need human brains
with this clinical
diagnosis. Some will
even share in the
cost of retrieval,
preparation and shipping. |
| • |
Schizophrenia Many
researchers need
human brains with
this clinical diagnosis.
Some will even share
in the cost of retrieval,
preparation and shipping. |
| • |
Dementia—Alzheimer’s Although
there are many types
of dementia, Alzheimer’s
is the most common
diagnosis and is
the most commonly
researched. Most
Alzheimer’s
researchers are only
interested in cases
that have been followed
by their clinicians
prior to the patient’s
death. There are
a few researchers
who will accept Alzheimer’s
cases that have not
been followed in
their clinics; however,
they may not share
in the cost of retrieval,
preparation and shipping. |
| • |
Dementia
other than Alzheimer’s Research
is conducted on
many different
types of dementia.
PSS may be able
to match a researcher
with specific interests
that compare with
the concerns of
your family. |
Tissue
and Organ donation
for transplant
PSS does not organize
tissue and organ donation
for transplant. If you need
information on transplant
donations, please contact
the following organizations:
Link
to organizations that
promote and support tissue
and organ donation. Donate
Life
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