FAQ About Brain Donation

1. What if I register and later change my mind and don’t wish to donate.  What do I do?
   You may withdraw from the brain bank at any time by simply notifying our office of your decision.

2. What does it cost me to donate my brain?
   Nothing.  The Brain Bank assumes all financial responsibility for one-way transportation of the deceased donor from the location of demise to the designated pathologist, as well as the cost incurred for brain removal and transportation to our office.  Funeral expenses however, remain the responsibility of the family the same as they would if donation were not made.

3. Will brain donation interfere with funeral arrangements or having an open casket viewing?
   No.  A brain autopsy will not delay or interfere with the family’s plans for a funeral, cremation, or burial.  However, brain donations must be performed within 12 hours from the time of death in order to maximize the research value.  In addition, a brain donation will not interfere with open casket viewing or traditional funeral services.

4. Who will have access to the information about my brain and the post mortem examination?
   At the time the brain is received, it is assigned a unique identifying number.  Only qualified staff has access to post mortem information. When researchers obtain brain tissue, only the unique code number identifies it. Family  names are not included.  When donors sign up for the program, they identify a next of kin who will be mailed a copy of the post mortem autopsy examination report.  This information may be very useful if other family members are diagnosed with neurological disorders.

5. What actually happens to my brain once it is donated?
   Once the brain is donated for research, it is transported to the brain bank facilities at the University of Miami.  The Brain Endowment Bank prepares brain specimens with precision and uniformity.  When a request for brain tissue is received, it is reviewed to ensure that qualified research investigators will obtain brain tissues for research.  Slices or small regional dissections of the brain are then sent to the qualified researcher with clinical and demographic information.

6. What if I have other questions about becoming a donor?
   Please call our office at 1-800-UM-BRAIN or 1-800-862-7246 or locally at 305-243-6219.  Our staff will be happy to discuss brain donation and answer your specific questions.