Types of Specimens
We can provide a wide range of central and peripheral nervous system materials, including:
- Brain tissue/ whole brains
- Spinal cord and vertebral elements
- Dura, skull, and related structures
- Ganglia
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) - via the post mortem or diagnostic remnants routes
- Sciatic nerve
- Anatomical parts including peripheral nerves
- Cephali
For studies requiring peripheral neural tissue, gastrointestinal samples may also be available due to their dense enteric nervous system.
Brain Tumor Samples
The hospital biorepositories we collaborate with maintain an extensive range of banked brain
tumor specimens, including:
- Glioblastoma (GBM)
- Astrocytoma
- Other primary and metastatic CNS tumors
Normal brain tissue is limited due to clinical constraints, but can be collected
post mortem.
Rare CNS infections and inflammatory lesions can also be sourced when present in diagnostic collections, most commonly as biofluids such as CSF and blood (whole blood/serum/plasma) made available as diagnostic
remnants.
Available Formats
Neural and spinal tissues can be provided in:
- Fresh
- Frozen
- 10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF)
- FFPE blocks or sections
Matched materials—such as serum, plasma, buffy coat, and frozen tissue—may be available for many clinical donors.
Clinical Data
Brain tumor samples have detailed redacted pathology report data available. Clinical record data and follow up data may also be available.
Whole brains or parts, spinal cord and spinal sections up to and including the whole spine, can be collected and our inventory includes brains from donors with Parkinson’s Disease, ALS and Stiff Person Syndrome. Brains from donors with brain tumors can also be collected.
Specimens can be provided fresh, frozen or fixed in 10% NBF.
No pathology report is available for whole body donor tissues and organs. Infectious disease testing is available.
Please contact us to find out how we can help you! 