 |
|
|
The Neurological Foundation of New Zealand Human Brain Bank
Director: Prof. Richard Faull, BMedSc MBChB Otago, PhD DSc, FRSNZ
Technical Officer: Jocelyn Bullock, MNZIMLS
Department of Anatomy with Radiology, University of Auckland
The decade, 1990 to 2000, was declared the United Nations Decade of the Brain. It was, therefore an opportune time for the Human Brain Research Group, headed by Professor Richard Faull, to be granted funds by the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand to purchase a -80ºC chest freezer, thus establishing the Neurological Foundation Human Brain Bank. It is the only human brain bank in New Zealand, located in the Division of Anatomy with Radiology at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences of the University of Auckland.
|
|
The ability to store fresh frozen human brain tissue was a huge advancement in the research programme, complementing the existing fixed tissue, which had been collected over the previous ten years.
The Neurological Foundation Human Brain Bank houses one of the most extensive collections of human tissue in the Southern Hemisphere, with tissue from nine different neurological diseases as well as over seventy normal brains. However, the Brain Bank would not be able to function without the co-operation of the various community neurological associations, support groups, and, above all, the families of those suffering from the disease.
|
|
Researchers: Kennedy McLachlan & Jocelyn Bullock
|
|
Huntington's Disease is one of the most devastating and tragic neurological diseases. Apart from the effects on the sufferer, the disease also impacts on every aspect of family life - there is not only the demand to provide continuing care and support for their loved one but also some social isolation associated with a little-understood inherited disorder. There has been little public acknowledgement or support for the needs of the sufferer and caregiver. However, the sufferers and caregivers have been extremely supportive of the research undertaken by Professor Faull and his research group. A close association with the Huntington's community has been established, and a considerable amount of time is spent liasing and building firm ties with the groups.
|
Prof. Richard Faull
(Dept. of Anatomy, Auckland University; Director of Brain Bank) |
|
A donor package, outlining the work done by the research group, gives detailed information on bequeathing the brain, the procedures involved, an "offer of Brain and Relevant Tissue" form, and an "Authority for Post-mortem Examination" form. These forms can be completed by the sufferer or their next-of-kin and be forwarded to Professor Faull or kept with the sufferer's medical history.
The bequest of human tissue is a very special gift which we treasure and respect, and we view our research as a special partnership with the community.
The brain is skilfully removed as soon after death as possible, leaving no obvious impairment for those who may wish to view the deceased. The tissue is carefully packed on ice, and transported to the research group, where the brain is processed for research.
The brain is dissected in half, with one hemisphere being removed and fixed by perfusion, which entails gentle pumping of a fixative solution via the arteries through the entire hemisphere. This tissue is then used for immunohistochemical studies which cannot be performed on unfixed tissue.
The other hemisphere is then dissected into all regions of the brain, with approximately 60 samples being taken. |
These samples are frozen in dry ice snow, double wrapped in aluminium foil, labelled and carefully stored in special boxes in the -80ºC freezer. Fresh frozen tissue is essential for much of the work we do on the brain, as the tests are not able to be performed on fixed tissue. The fixed hemisphere of the brain is used for experiments that complement the results from the frozen tissue, so a more complete picture of the complex nature of cell death in Huntington's Disease can be demonstrated.
|
|
Tissue from the Brain Bank is used by many researchers in the group, resulting in work published in international scientific journals and papers presented at overseas conferences. This work is highly regarded by colleagues working in similar fields. Precise records are kept of the tissue stored in the Brain Bank and tissue from each brain is identified by a code number to ensure confidentiality; these records are updated whenever tissue is used, enabling us to know exactly what is available for research.
The Brain Bank has provided opportunities for productive international collaborative studies with leading research scientists in England, Switzerland, Sweden, USA and Japan.
|
|
Dr Louise Nicholsen
(Dept. of Anatomy, Auckland University) |
Dr Louise Nicholsen
(Dept. of Anatomy, Auckland University)
 |
|
With the consent of the next-of-kin, tissue is sent overseas for research which cannot be done in New Zealand. As New Zealand is a small country and we have established close associations with the community organisations, the quality of the tissue is of a very high standard, due to short post-mortem times and an appreciation of our research programme.
Researchers from outside the group and all overseas researchers must sign a Consent Form before using any tissue from the Brain Bank. In the Consent Form, they agree to handle any and all human tissue with due care and respect, and to fully acknowledge the support of the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand Human Brain Bank on all publications resulting from the use of the tissue.
None of this work would be possible without the generosity of the Neurological Foundation and sufferers of neurological disease and their families who bequeath their brains to the Brain Bank. This generosity is reflected in the fact that the Brain Bank has expanded and now consists of three -80oC freezers.
Families are personally informed of the diagnosis and are provided with a detailed report of the research findings, and are welcome to contact us at any time if they have any questions at all.
The Neurological Foundation Human Brain Bank is run in a disciplined, responsible, and respectful manner, mindful of the circumstances which have led to the tissue being held in the Bank.
Click here for more about the brain bank - Headlines Vol. 47
|
|
|
|
|
