Director: Naguib Mechawar, PhD
Co-Director: Gustavo Turecki, MD PhD
The Douglas Bell Canada Brain Bank is the largest brain bank in Canada that coordinates the brain donation process, prepares and stores the brain specimens and distributes samples to qualified researchers throughout the world in order to advance fundamental research on mental illness using valuable and donated human tissues. Tissue samples from donated brain give direct access to the cells, proteins and genes potentially implicated in the disease.
Its mission is to provide the scientific community with brain samples preserved under optimal conditions for research that will lead to advances in the treatment, cure and prevention of brain disease and disorders.
The Brain bank is organized around a team of expert researchers in neurosciences, a neuropathologist and several research assistants who coordinate the acquisition, characterization, storage and distribution of brain tissues. The bank is equipped with high capacity ultra-low freezers, the latest microscope and slide scanning technology as well as with automated specimen identification process.
Learn more about this resource on the Douglas Bell Canada Brain Bank website
Facts about the Douglas – Bell Canada Brain Bank
- There are more than 3500 human brains
- Researchers from around the world request our brain tissue samples because of their quality and diversity
- It is a unique resource for research on neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases
- Almost 1000 brain tissue samples are distributed annually across the world
- The study of the Brain Bank samples results in more than 20 scientific articles every year
A very active resource
The Douglas – Bell Canada Brain Bank has almost 3500 human brain specimens. Established in 1980, it is the oldest brain bank in Canada, and one of the two largest reserves of autopsied brains in the country. It regularly receives brains, which makes it the only bank of its kind in the country that is still operational.
An invaluable tool for advancing research
The study of brain tissue is essential for researchers as they strive to understand mental and neurological disorders. Human brain donations allow scientists to study psychiatric and neurological disorders; tissue samples from donated brains give direct access to the cells, proteins and genes of the brain.
Its mission: Provide the scientific community with brain samples that have been preserved under optimal conditions for research that will lead to advances in the treatment, cure and prevention of brain diseases and disorders.
The Brain Bank was established thanks to a major investment from the Douglas Institute Foundation. Today, the Bank is still subsidized by the Foundation, but also by Bell Canada, the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS – Réseau québécois de recherche sur le suicide) and donations from the public. An important part of its activities are maintained thanks to an agreement with the Bureau du coroner du Québec.
Research specialization: Suicide
With the support of the Bureau du coroner du Québec, the Douglas – Bell Canada Brain Bank with the McGill Group for Suicide Studies (MGSS) offer a unique resource for researchers to study the biological factors associated with mood disorders and suicide. The research performed on brain tissue contributes to the development of intervention and prevention programs for people who are distressed and at risk for suicide.
Functioning
In addition to the invaluable contribution of various collaborators, the Douglas – Bell Canada Brain Bank employs personnel who are qualified to handle human tissue samples, protect donor rights, and ensure that the Bank operations follow the highest possible standards.
The Bank director and co-director develop the operational and financial rules and procedures needed for specimen preservation, jointly with the Douglas institute, its Research Centre, and its Research Ethics Committee.
Contact
Douglas – Bell Canada Brain Bank
Douglas Institute
6875 LaSalle Boulevard
Montreal, (Quebec), H4H 1R3
Tel.: 514-761-6131 # 3496 (local calls)
Toll-free: 1-866-930-0291
Fax: 514-888-4494
brain.bank@douglas.mcgill.ca
Suicide studies
Tel.: 1-866-256-6888 or
514-761-6131 ext #4468