About brain bank

Research into the pathological mechanisms of not only age-related diseases but also psychiatric disorders and developmental disabilities is still in its early stages. For many brain disorders, a definitive diagnosis can only be made through the examination of brain tissue from affected individuals. To truly understand what is happening in the human brain, it is essential to study the brain itself. Such research is crucial for uncovering disease mechanisms and ultimately leads to the development of treatments and new drug discoveries.
Brain bank establishment and utilization began overseas before it did in Japan. In Western countries, influenced in part by religious and cultural traditions, pre-mortem donor registration is common. These initiatives are often named with phrases such as “Gift of Hope” and “A Legacy of Donation,” reflecting a spirit of giving—a prayerful wish to offer hope to future patients suffering from similar diseases. In countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, brain banking has become a national initiative, with government funding allocated to support research.

In Japan, the accumulation of brain and tissue resources through autopsies at university hospitals and with the consent of families has a long history. However, because such efforts were typically confined within individual institutions, the range of diseases and number of cases remained limited, making it difficult to produce broad, impactful research outcomes.
The development of brain banks in Japan began in 1997, when the Japanese Society of Neuropathology conducted site visits to brain banks in other countries. At that time, Japanese researchers relied on overseas brain banks for access to research samples. However, differences in disease expression among ethnic groups and concerns over intellectual property made it increasingly necessary to establish domestic brain banks. This movement gained momentum around the year 2000.
Japan is internationally recognized for the precision and thoroughness of its pathological examinations, making the construction of high-quality brain banks feasible. Unlike in many Western countries, where the spinal cord is often not collected, Japanese brain banks typically include not only the spinal cord but also various other organs, enabling more detailed diagnoses and research—an important advantage in the global scientific community.