The development of a brain bank.

The methods used in developing a brain bank are described. The techniques for encouraging brain donation and the precautions to be used when dealing with medical examiner cases are outlined. Simplifying the donation process by the pathologist in order to gain his cooperation is essential. The importance of keeping an open telephone link available at all hours of the day and night and the need to solicit the donating families' cooperation in seeking clinical records is emphasized. Detailed neuropathological examination of every brain is essential for diagnostic purposes. Recent techniques to improve the qualify of postmortem brain tissue for molecular genetic studies are described.