Brain Donation Best Practices

Brain donation is the crucial for advancing our understanding of the brain and its related diseases. To ensure that donated tissue provides the highest possible value for research, brain donation programs must follow rigorous technical standards at every step. The Brain Donation Best Practices module offers training in four core areas: the brain donation process, Institutional Review Board (IRB), transportation, and record keeping.

In this module, you will learn how to carry out each step with precision and efficiency. From ensuring timely and high-quality tissue procurement, to meeting regulatory requirements, to coordinating reliable transport and maintaining transparent documentation, this training equips staff with the technical expertise needed to optimize the entire brain donation process.

Brain Donation Process

Learn how to navigate the entire brain donation process — from pre-donation planning through post-donation follow-up. This training shows how each step can be carried out with precision and care to ensure high-quality tissue for research while honoring the generosity of families.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Learn how to understand and apply IRB requirements to your work. This section explains the role of ethical and legal oversight in brain donation, ensuring that every procedure, form, and protocol respects donor rights and upholds the highest research standards.

Transportation

Learn how to manage timely and respectful transportation, a step that is critical for both tissue quality and family experience. This training covers contracting reliable providers, coordinating logistics, and maintaining professionalism during this sensitive stage.

Record Keeping

Learn how to build accurate and transparent record keeping systems that protect both research integrity and family trust. This training reviews consent documentation, case forms, inventory management, and chain-of-custody practices that keep the process accountable from start to finish.