Inside the Harvard Brain Bank, Pioneering Neuroscience Research

The Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Centre, known as the Harvard Brain Bank, collects, stores, and redistributes brain specimens for research on neurological and psychiatric disorders. The facility operates 24/7 to process donations quickly. The dissection process involves separating and preserving brain hemispheres. Brain donations are crucial for advancing understanding of brain functions and disorders, relying on the generosity of donors and their families.

What is the primary mission of the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Centre?

• To provide psychiatric treatment

• To collect, store, and distribute brain specimens for research

• To educate medical students

• To perform brain surgeries

Which disorders are studied using the specimens from the Harvard Brain Bank?

• Cardiovascular diseases

• Neurological and psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and Parkinson's

• Respiratory illnesses

• Digestive system disorders

How quickly must the brain processing be completed after a person passes away?

• Within 48 hours

• Within 72 hours

• Within 24 hours

• Within 12 hours

What happens to one of the hemispheres of the brain during the dissection process?

• It is discarded

• It is sent to another facility

• It is used for immediate research

• It is preserved in a solution

Why is brain donation considered a 'gift of knowledge'?

• It helps in understanding brain functions and disorders

• It is a form of organ donation

• It provides financial benefits to families

• It is a legal requirement