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Is Anyone Considering Voluntary Brain Donation?
A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭

Quoting from the Columbia University website: "Our ability to understand how Alzheimer's disease affects the brain and causes debilitating memory loss, confusion, and eventually death, is dependent upon studying brain tissue."

Research is SO important. I'm wondering if anyone else is considering this.

You can find information at the weblink below (National Institute on Aging).
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/brain-donation/b...

Brain Donation: A Gift for Future Generations
Brain Donation: A Gift for Future Generations
posted March 17 (edited)
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A myALZteam Member

@A myALZteam Member: The NIA website states that the family can request a summary of the autopsy findings, which often provides some definitive answers to family members. This could be a very good thing. And the procedure is done carefully, so open-casket viewings can still be done, if desired.

posted March 17 (edited)
A myALZteam Member

@A myALZteam Member: I think it's great that you're doing that, and I agree that the most important thing is that autopsy report, no matter how long it takes. I'm planning to donate my son's brain for TBI research, and am thinking about the Alzheimer's research aspect in regard to my husband. Ours is a second marriage, so we don't have children together, but he does have 3 children (including one who's also a doctor), who may want information. However, I wouldn't want to send someone into depression, so I would never give this information to anyone who doesn't specifically want it.

posted March 17
A myALZteam Member

@A myALZteam Member: You can click on the link that says "Brain Donation: A Gift for Future Generations" to get information on brain donations and centers in each state. The brain is an organ, so I suspect that if someone has consented to organ donation, this would be included in that consent; and I suspect the person with the Power or Attorney or Healthcare Proxy/Advanced Directives can probably consent in any case, upon death. (But laws can vary by state.)

posted March 17
A myALZteam Member

Thanks for the information. I think it would be great if John's brain could help in the research. I'm going to look into it. John wants to be cremated so if it's possible it wouldn't matter re: body integrity for burial. I'm John's POA and we have living wills consistent with this decision.

posted March 17
A myALZteam Member

Very interesting thanks for sharing that info. I definitely would consider it. Its something worth checking into. If I could help in saving anyone from living with the disease or any family from going through the turmoil pain and suffering watching their loved one go through this horrible disease I would definitely go to any extreme. I want to study and look into this. Thank You Helen So Much For Shating This With Us. Have a blessed day.

posted March 17

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