Brain autopsy

easy23 · June 13

Is anyone planning on getting a brain autopsy on their LO once they enter stage 8? If so, how did you go about making the arrangements? I think I would like to know what dementia(s) my DH had for the sake of his children and grandchildren.

annie51 · June 14

I would have liked to have this done, but had not thought about it ahead of time and my DH died very suddenly from a heart attack. Because it was so unexpected I wasn’t think about it at all in the ER. Good for you for thinking ahead - especially with kids and grandkids that could possibly benefit from the information. We do not have children, but for research purposes, I wish I would have donated his brain to science.

jgreen · June 14

Hi, @easy23

Not sure. DH and I are organ donors when the time comes - it is on our drivers’ licenses. I think if asked, my husband would want his brain donated for research (like @annie51 said). But not sure if I want autopsy. DH’s maternal grandmother, his mother, and sister all had dementia and his biomarkers are positive for Alzheimer’s disease. So I don’t think we’d learn anything new.

blacksparky · June 14

If you’re asking about donating the brain of someone with Alzheimer’s disease for research after death, that is possible and highly valuable for advancing dementia research. A donated brain can support hundreds of studies and can also help provide a definitive diagnosis of the type of dementia involved.
A very important point: arrangements usually need to be made before death, and the donation coordinator often needs to be contacted within a few hours after death.

Alzheimer’s Association — They provide information and can help you find an appropriate brain bank or research center.

Vitruvius · June 14

I had an autopsy for my DW’s brain. I made an extensive post a month or so ago. In a follow up post in the same thread I answered a question about the process I went through.

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/76102/the-results-of-my-dw-s-brain-autopsy-not-at-all-the-results-i-expected