[Fwd: Brain donation]?Barb Stanley

[Guest guest]

Here is a reference from Pam.

Sorry about your dad. We were too late with my husbands donation so you will do

well to get things arranged before you need it.

God bless.

Barb in Arlington

Pam Bower wrote:

> Hi Erma,

>

> There are two places I know of that accept brain tissue from MSA/Shy-Drager

> patients.

>

> 1. Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

> 2. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

>

> Below is information from Vanderbilt followed by a letter from Dr. Benarroch

> at Mayo Clinic. Either of these facilities will be glad to help you arrange

> for brain tissue donation.

>

> Hugs,

> Pam

>

> ---------

>

> Vanderbilt Brain and Spinal Cord Donation Program

>

> Many patients express an interest in making a contribution to medical

> science to further research in the cause of neurodegenerative disorders. In

> Shy-Dryger syndrome, also known as MSA, scientific study of human brain

> obtained after death holds the greatest hope for further understanding and

> ultimately development of therapies to treat the disease. The post-mortem

> examination, or autopsy, also provides important, precise medical

> information to the family of the deceased.

>

> Information for Patients

>

> You may wish to sign a notice of intent to make your desire for organ

> donation official. This notice of intent is not binding, but conveys your

> wish and request in writing to your family members that you wish to

> participate in the brain and spinal donation program.

>

> Information for Next of Kin

>

> Your affected family member may wish to donate brain tissue for special

> studies and research purposes. You can concur with that decision by signing

> a separate consent for the donation which is often attached to his/her

> medical record. Upon death of your loved one, you will need to sign an

> autopsy permit which gives legal consent for a medical doctor to examine the

> body and in particular, collect brain tissue.

>

> We know that this will be a very difficult time for you and we acknowledge

> the generous gift and courageous act that tissue donation is for the benefit

> of others. You should know that tissue removal can be done in a way that an

> open-casket service can be conducted.

>

> For More Information

>

> Please contact:

>

> Ms. Velma Watkins

> Autonomic Dysfunction Center

> Vanderbilt University Medical Center

> AA-3228 Medical Center North

> Nashville, TN 37232-2195

> Phone:

> Fax:

> E-Mail: velma.watkins@...

>

> --------

>

> Letter from Dr. Benarroch at Mayo Clinic:

>

> Dear Sir/Madam:

>

> The cause of the disease that is afflicting you, called multiple system

> atrophy or Shy-Drager syndrome, is not known. In other similar

> disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, important advances are being

> made in the understanding of the mechanisms that trigger the loss of

> nerve cells, and these will hopefully lead to treatments that may stop

> or at least delay the progression of the disease.

>

> One important clue about the cause and mechanisms of this group of

> diseases is provided by the postmortem examination of the brains of

> patients who die from these disorders. Over the past four years, we

> have been pursuing these studies, funded by the National Institutes of

> Health (NIH). We have made some advances, but there are still many

> questions that remain to be answered. We would appreciate your

> considering donating your brain for our study at the time of death.

> Your contribution will help many other patients suffering from this

> still incurable disease. If you consent with the brain donation, please

> contact me or one of my co-workers at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester,

> Minnesota. The address is:

>

> E. Benarroch, M.D., D.Sci.

> Neurophysiology Laboratory

> Mayo Clinic

> 807 Guggenheim Building

> 200 First Street SW

> Rochester, MN 55905

> Phone: or

> Fax:

> E-mail: benarroch.eduardo@...

>

> Many thanks in advance on behalf of many other patients with Shy-Drager

> syndrome.

>

> Sincerely,

>

> E. Benarroch, M.D., D.Sci.

>

> ----- Original Message -----

>

> > In the past I have read that someplace likes brain donations to study

> > after death. I would like to know who to contact for this and where

> > it should be sent. I'm sure arrangements need to be made before

> > death. I think any one who is open to this could help the cause and

> > Dale has been open to the idea. > Thanks,

> > Erma Dean

>

>