Introduction
Brain banking is a collaborative venture that enables scientists to access postmortem brain tissue for research into the causes, diagnoses, treatments, and cures of neurological diseases and disorders. Brain banking has become increasingly important as a tool for advancing our understanding of the brain and its functions. With the advancement of technology, brain banks are able to store and process brain tissue in a manner that allows for unprecedented access to the tissue. This article will discuss the history, function, and importance of brain banking.
History
Brain banking has been around since the early 19th century, when researchers began collecting and preserving brains of deceased individuals. This was done in order to better understand the structure and function of the human brain. Early brain banks were limited in their ability to store and process the tissue, as well as limited in the scope of diseases they could investigate. It was not until the mid-20th century that brain banking began to take shape as a more organized endeavor.
Function
Brain banks are typically located in a medical institution and are managed by a team of scientists and technicians. Brain banks collect and store postmortem brain tissue collected from deceased individuals. The tissue is then processed, preserved, and stored in a manner that allows for access to the tissue for research. Brain banks also provide resources such as genetic data, medical records, and other information that can be used to better understand the tissue and aid in research.
Importance
Brain banking is an invaluable tool for advancing our understanding of the brain and its functions. By providing researchers with access to postmortem brain tissue, scientists are able to further investigate the causes, diagnoses, treatments, and cures of neurological diseases and disorders. Brain banks are also important for furthering our understanding of normal brain functioning and development.
Conclusion
Brain banking is a critical tool for advancing our knowledge of the brain and its functions. By providing researchers with access to postmortem brain tissue, brain banking enables scientists to further investigate the causes, diagnoses, treatments, and cures of neurological diseases and disorders. Brain banks are essential for furthering our understanding of normal brain functioning and development.
References
Cooper, S., & Shenton, A. (2016). The history of brain banking. Brain, 139(5), 1351-1355. doi:10.1093/brain/aww053
Jones, B. (2015). Brain banking: Advancing science through postmortem brains. American Journal of Neuroradiology, 36(2), 265-266. doi:10.3174/ajnr.A4205
Kopelman, L., & Rezai, A. (2018). Brain banking: The importance and potential of postmortem tissue for neuroscience research. Neurosurgical Focus, 44(3), E14. doi:10.3171/2018.2.FOCUS18119