Brain Donation - Page 2

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Page 2

Jan 28, 1999

Early discussion avoids the additional stress of such decisions at the time of death. Family members may have different views on brain autopsy, which should be expressed in an effort to reach some agreement.

Your decision may be influenced by a variety of factors, including:

The desire to have as much information as possible about the medical condition.

Alzheimer's disease can only be diagnosed with 100 per cent certainty through a brain autopsy.

Concerns about genetic factors. If other family members develop dementia in the future, confirmed diagnosis of previous cases is important, especially if treatment becomes available.

Personal views that the patient may have had or expressed about autopsy during his or her lifetime.

Religious or cultural factors.

A relative's feeling that the patient "has suffered enough." However, brain donation often helps family members feel that they have provided a gift of hope to future generations, thereby diminishing the sense of hopelessness and despair".

I do want to stress the following point about Brain Donation:

Tissue is donated to the bank after death. The funeral is not delayed as the tissue needs to be removed by a pathologist as soon as possible. The removal of tissue will not disfigure the donor. Only a small incision is made at the back of the head to remove a tissue sample.

The brain itself is not removed and there will be no visible evidence of the donation.

If you are interested in donating brain tissue, talk to your physician or your local Alzheimer's association or support group. They should be able to provide you with the information needed to give this important gift.

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