by The human brain has always been a source of fascination and intrigue. It is a complex organ that weighs around 1.3 kilograms and holds the key to our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. For centuries, scientists have been trying to unravel its secrets, and recent advancements in molecular neuroscience have brought us closer to understanding the intricacies of this remarkable organ.
Brain banks have played a pivotal role in facilitating brain research by preserving and providing researchers with access to human brain tissue. One of the world’s largest brain banks, the Douglas-Bell Canada Brain Bank (DBCBB), is located in Montréal and was established in 1980 at the Douglas Hospital.
The DBCBB receives several brain donations every month and has amassed a collection of over 3,600 brain specimens to date. Its team processes numerous tissue requests each year from researchers in Québec, Canada, and around the world, preparing approximately 2,000 samples for research purposes.
Over the past four decades, the DBCBB has contributed significantly to our understanding of various neurological and psychiatric diseases. As the director of the DBCBB, I have personally witnessed the numerous breakthroughs made in collaboration with my colleague, Dr. Gustavo Turecki, who is responsible for the component dedicated to psychiatric illnesses and suicide.
The preservation of brains for scientific study began in the late 19th century with the use of formalin, a solution that allows for easier handling and long-term storage of biological tissue. Advances in precision instruments and protocols enabled researchers to examine the microscopic characteristics of nervous tissue and identify changes associated with neurological and psychiatric symptoms.
Initially, brains were collected from autopsies to study macroscopic and microscopic changes associated with brain diseases. One of the most renowned examples is Alois Alzheimer’s analysis of a patient’s brain with dementia, which led to the discovery and characterization of Alzheimer’s disease in 1906.
In the latter half of the 20th century, researchers recognized the need for advanced experimental techniques to analyze cells and molecules within brain tissue at a higher resolution. This necessitated the collection and preservation of human brains with the consent of individuals or their families, ensuring compatibility with modern scientific methods. One hemisphere of the brain would be frozen for molecular analysis, while the other was preserved in formalin for anatomical studies.
The creation of the Douglas-Bell Canada Brain Bank marked a significant milestone in brain research. Today, leading researchers from universities worldwide, including several teams in Québec, utilize samples from the DBCBB to advance their investigations.
For instance, Dr. Judes Poirier and his team from the Douglas Research Center, affiliated with McGill University, discovered that the APOE4 gene is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, Professor Gilbert Bernier from the Université de Montréal’s Department of Neuroscience found that abnormal expression of the BMI1 gene is associated with the characteristic brain lesions seen in Alzheimer’s disease.
In the field of psychiatric illnesses, the McGill Group for Suicide Studies, led by Dr. Turecki’s team, has made significant strides in understanding major depression. Using cutting-edge methods to isolate and analyze brain cells, they have identified specific cell types affected by major depression in men and found sex differences in cell involvement.
These groundbreaking studies generate vast datasets that provide a foundation for further research. In my own laboratory, we have identified persistent changes in neuroplasticity within the prefrontal cortex of individuals with a history of child abuse, thanks to the studies conducted at the DBCBB. This research has shed light on the involvement of specific cell types in this phenomenon.
With current experimental techniques, researchers can dissect the brain into its fundamental components, unraveling its functions and dysfunctions. The DBCBB, with its dedicated team and numerous partners, including anonymous donors and funding bodies, such as the FRQS research fund and the Réseau québécois sur le suicide, les troubles de l’humeur et les troubles associés, has not only survived but flourished as one of the largest brain banks globally.
Looking ahead, the DBCBB remains poised to play a crucial role in identifying the biological causes of brain diseases with increasing precision. This, in turn, will contribute to the development of novel approaches for prevention, screening, and treatment in the years to come. The future of neuroscience research is undoubtedly bright, thanks to the invaluable contributions of the Douglas-Bell Canada Brain Bank.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemicals and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc.
