Our brains are amazing, intricate networks that help us think, love, and breathe. But sometimes things go awry and cause brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. By studying the brains of people who have died — both those who had a brain disorder and those who were healthy during life — researchers learn more about how types of dementia affect the brain and how we might better treat and prevent them. Brain donation provides an opportunity to help researchers better understand these disorders, which can lead to improved treatments for future generations.
While many people think that signing up to be an organ donor includes donating their brain, the purpose and the process of brain donation are different. Rather than helping to keep others alive, such as with kidney donation, brain donation helps advance scientific research. One donated brain…
