Research at the Southwest Brain Bank
Advancing Understanding of Psychiatric Illness Through Brain Tissue Research
Vision
The human brain forms one of the main scientific puzzles and many aspects of its functioning are still waiting to be understood. Innovative research using human brain tissue may lead to major scientific breakthroughs regarding the understanding of the human brain in mental health and disease and yield novel therapeutic strategies to treat brain disorders.
Mission
The Southwest Brain Bank (SWBB) facilitates cutting-edge human brain research by providing the scientific community with the highest quality postmortem tissue of patients and matched controls in combination with clinical and neuropathological documentation. The SWBB adheres to strict ethical guidelines such as informed consent, open access, and a non-profit policy as stated in the US Ethical Code of Conduct for brain banking.
About the Southwest Brain Bank
The Southwest Brain Bank (SWBB) is a non-profit research organization committed to understanding the human brain and improving treatments for psychiatric disorders.
What We Do:
- Collect brain tissue from individuals with psychiatric illnesses and healthy controls.
- Study donated tissue to explore how the brain works and how it changes in psychiatric conditions.
- Distribute brain tissue and anonymized medical records to researchers nationwide.
Why Brain Tissue Research Matters
- Understanding the Brain: Brain tissue allows scientists to investigate the biological changes associated with psychiatric conditions.
- Driving Innovation: Research using brain tissue contributes to new diagnostic methods and treatment advancements.
- Essential Contributions: Donations from individuals with and without psychiatric illnesses are critical to this work.
How It Works
- Donation: Brain tissue is donated by individuals with psychiatric disorders and healthy controls.
- Research Process: Scientists study the donated tissue to gain insights into brain function and changes caused by mental health conditions.
- Anonymization & Distribution: Donor information is anonymized, and tissue samples are provided to qualified researchers across the country.
- Impact: Research outcomes enhance understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of psychiatric disorders.