[Available postmortem brain resources in Japan].

This study investigates the information of available postmortem brain resources in Japan. Data were obtained from personal references,home pages viewing and direct e-mail inquiries to relevant institutes. The most accessible online system was the Japanese Brain Bank Network for Neuroscience Research,which is supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Comprehensive Brain Science Network from Japan's Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science and Technology (http://www.hokatsu-nou.nips.ac.jp/?page_id=71). Among the brain banks,the Brain Bank for Aging Research and Fukushimura Brain Bank were reported in detail in different chapters of this issue. The Brain Bank Committee of the Japanese Society of Neuropathology also allowed an e-mail inquiry with regard to possible resource supply. The National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry provided resource-related information in comformance with the living will of individuals and the Research Resource Network. Niigata University has the largest resource on neurodegenerative disorders. The Postmortem Brain Bank of Fukushima for Psychiatric Research is the only brain bank aimed for schizophrenia research in Japan,but requires direct contact with the bank director. At present the stanley Brain Bank (http://www.stanleyresearch.org/dnn/BrainResearchLaboratorybrBrainCollection/tabid/83/Default.aspx) maybe the most preferable choice for psychiatric research in Japan.