Twenty-first century brain banking. Processing brains for research: the Columbia University methods.
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Carefully categorized postmortem human brains are crucial for research. The lack of generally accepted methods for processing human postmortem brains for research persists. Thus, brain banking is essential; however, it cannot be achieved at the cost of the teaching mission of the academic institution by routing brains away from residency programs, particularly when the autopsy rate is steadily decreasing. A consensus must be reached whereby a brain can be utilizable for diagnosis, research, and teaching. The best diagnostic categorization possible must be secured and the yield of samples for basic investigation maximized. This report focuses on integrated, novel methods currently applied at the New York Brain Bank, Columbia University, New York, which are designed to reach accurate neuropathological diagnosis, optimize the yield of samples, and process fresh-frozen samples suitable for a wide range of modern investigations. The brains donated for research are processed as soon as possible after death. The prosector must have a good command of the neuroanatomy, neuropathology, and the protocol. One half of each brain is immersed in formalin for performing the thorough neuropathologic evaluation, which is combined with the teaching task. The contralateral half is extensively dissected at the fresh state. The anatomical origin of each sample is recorded using the map of Brodmann for the cortical samples. The samples are frozen at -160 degrees C, barcode labeled, and ready for immediate disbursement once categorized diagnostically. A rigorous organization of freezer space, coupled to an electronic tracking system with its attached software, fosters efficient access for retrieval within minutes of any specific frozen samples in storage. This report describes how this achievement is feasible with emphasis on the actual processing of brains donated for research. (+info)
Simulation of cerebrovascular circulation in the human cadaver for surgical neuroanatomy training.
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OBJECTIVE: The current progress in diagnostic and screening methods and surgical equipment technologies facilitates the accessibility to numerous anatomic structures through various interventional approaches. Consequently, the exact knowledge of the anatomic locations of neurovascular structures and their interactions may ensure that the surgical intervention is planned in the most appropriate way and the structures are accessed with the least complication risk during the intervention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A decapitated and formalin fixated whole-head of a male human cadaver kept for educational and research purposes in the Dokuz Eylul University Department of Anatomy was used in this study. Two separate reservoirs (for the arterial and the venous system) were connected to the Truno System 3 labeled perfusion pump. The reservoirs were filled with blue and red warm tap water. Colored tap water pumped on the right was emptied from the left. Continuous flow of the water in the closed-circuit arterial and venous systems was achieved. As the circulation was continuing, pterional craniotomy was performed and the dura mater was accessed and lifted under the Zeiss dissecting microscope. CONCLUSION: We believe that this model may contribute to neuroanatomy education and provide experience for the safe and ethical performance of surgical interventions during the intraoperative period. (+info)
A prototype symbolic model of canonical functional neuroanatomy of the motor system.
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