Donor Frequently Asked Questions

Any competent person over age 18 years of age may donate. For persons under 18, a legal guardian must provide consent and make arrangements.

A brain bank is a central repository of brain tissue that has been donated for future research. These centralized resources make it possible for researchers with a particular interest to request tissue from a brain bank for their investigations.

No. To ensure research is thorough, it is also extremely important to have access to brain tissue from deceased people who did not have brain diseases. This is known as control tissue and it is crucial that scientists have access to this so that they can compare it directly with tissue from a person with a disease.

Yes. Brain removal does not cause disfigurement.

Yes. A brain donation would not necessarily rule a patient ineligible for a whole body donation. Whole body donations require pre-registration with a medical school. Many academically housed body donation programs will accept a donation in spite of previous brain donation. Please inquire with the program prior to registration.

No. A Brain donation autopsy will not delay or interfere with the family's plans for a funeral, cremation, or burial. Most brain banks work closely with families and funeral homes to ensure that donation does not interfere with funeral arrangement.

Brain donations must be performed within 24 hours from the time of death in order to ensure optimal preservation of the tissue and maximize the research value. If death is imminent, please call 1-888-BRAIN-17.

Brain banks assume all financial responsibility for one-way transportation of the deceased donor from the location of demise to the designated pathologist, as well as the cost incurred for brain removal. Funeral expenses however, remain the responsibility of the family the same as they would if donation were not made.

Following brain donation, a brain autopsy is performed to confirm clinical diagnosis. Typically, the whole brain is removed and prepared for analysis and future research. The NeuroBioBank does not return any specific research findings to the next-of-kin or family members of donors.

If you or a family member is interested in registering as a donor, please visit braindonorproject.org to begin the process.

Pre-registration is not required, though it is preferable. However, consent can be given by next of kin immediately following death. It is strongly encouraged that interested individuals talk with their family and friends about brain donation, advise them of their decision on donation, and to register for donation if that is their choice. If you or a family member is interested in registering as a donor, please visit braindonorproject.org to begin the process.

No, organ donation and brain donation are separate matters. The sticker on your drivers license does not give brain banks permission to receive a brain.

The identity of each donor remains strictly confidential. Specifically, research results are not written in the medical file and the donor's name will not be included in any piece of information sent to researchers. All distributed samples are coded in order to guarantee donor anonymity. Researchers using these de-identified samples through the NeuroBioBank will not return any scientific results to the next-of-kin or family members of donors.

Donation is voluntary and has no financial benefits. However, many donors and their families share a common satisfaction knowing that they are contributing to the health and well-being of others affected by similar brain disorders. Brain donation makes studying and discovering cures to neurological diseases possible for future patients. Most donors and their families see this as a legacy that creates a lasting contribution toward improved health of future patients.