Brain bank of the Brazilian aging brain study group - a milestone reached and more than 1,600 collected brains.
BACKGROUND
Brain banking remains a necessity for the study of aging brain processes and related neurodegenerative diseases. In the present paper, we report the methods applied at and the first results of the Brain Bank of the Brazilian Aging Brain Study Group (BBBABSG) which has two main aims: (1) To collect a large number of brains of elderly comprising non-demented subjects and a large spectrum of pathologies related to aging brain processes, (2) To provide quality material to a multidisciplinar research network unraveling multiple aspects of aging brain processes and related neurodegenerative diseases.


METHODS
The subjects are selected from the Sao Paulo Autopsy Service. Brain parts are frozen and fixated. CSF, carotids, kidney, heart and blood are also collected and DNA is extracted. The neuropathological examinations are carried out based on accepted criteria, using immunohistochemistry. Functional status are assessed through a collateral source based on a clinical protocol. Protocols are approved by the local ethics committee and a written informed consent form is obtained.


RESULTS
During the first 21 months, 1,602 samples were collected and were classified by Clinical Dementia Rating as CDR0: 65.7%; CDR0.5:12.6%, CDR1:8.2%, CDR2:5.4%, and CDR3:8.1%. On average, the cost for the processing each case stood at 400 US dollars. To date, 14 laboratories have been benefited by the BBBABSG.


CONCLUSIONS
The high percentage of non- demented subjects and the ethnic diversity of this series may be significantly contributive toward aging brain processes and related neurodegenerative diseases understanding since BBBABSG outcomes may provide investigators the answers to some additional questions.
Grinberg
Lea Tenenholz
LT
Department of Pathology, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, SP 01246-903, Brazil. leagrinberg@usp.br
Ferretti
Renata Eloah de Lucena
RE
Farfel
José Marcelo
JM
Leite
Renata
R
Pasqualucci
Carlos Augusto
CA
Rosemberg
Sérgio
S
Nitrini
Ricardo
R
Saldiva
Paulo Hilário Nascimento
PH
Filho
Wilson Jacob
WJ
D000375:Aging; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D001921:Brain; D001938:Brazil; D005006:Ethnicity; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D014015:Tissue Banks / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D000906:Antibodies