Donations
Donate to the Southwest Brain Bank (SWBB)
Your decision to donate your brain is a gift to future generations, helping researchers better understand the human brain and advance treatments for psychiatric and neurological disorders. Donations from both individuals with and without mental illness are essential to this important work. All donor information is kept strictly confidential.
Why Donate?
Brain donation supports research into psychiatric illnesses, including:
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Major depression
- Other mental illnesses
Donations from individuals who have never been diagnosed with a mental illness are equally important because they allow researchers to compare healthy brain tissue with tissue affected by psychiatric disorders. This comparison helps scientists better understand how mental illnesses develop and identify potential new treatments.
How to Donate
Option 1: Register as a Prospective Donor
- Contact the Southwest Brain Bank (SWBB) to enroll in the Longitudinal Donation Program.
- An SWBB representative will explain the donation process and collect your medical and psychiatric history.
- The SWBB will periodically contact you to keep your information current.
Option 2: Next of Kin Consent
If the individual was not previously registered:
- A next of kin may provide consent for brain donation at the time of death.
- SWBB staff will first collect general medical information.
- Approximately six weeks later, the family will be contacted for a more detailed interview about the deceased.
Who Can Donate?
The Southwest Brain Bank accepts donations from:
- Adults with psychiatric illnesses, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and other mental illnesses.
- Adults who have never been diagnosed with a mental illness.
Unfortunately, donations cannot be accepted from individuals who:
- Have been on a ventilator.
- Have certain infectious illnesses or infectious diseases.
The Donation Process
- Timing: Brain donation must occur within 48 hours after death to preserve tissue quality for research.
- Procedure: The brain is removed during an autopsy at a morgue, hospital, or funeral home and transported to the Southwest Brain Bank.
- The procedure does not cause disfigurement and allows for an open casket or other traditional funeral arrangements.
- Religious Considerations: Brain donation is accepted by most religions.
- Cost: There is no cost for the brain donation itself; however, funeral arrangements remain the responsibility of the family.