Brenda Lyle – Florida Today
By Brenda Lyle
Q: What is the Florida Brain Bank?
A: Many people are surprised to learn that Florida is leading the charge for Alzheimer’s research. The Florida Brain Bank is a state-funded medical research initiative dedicated to advancing the diagnosis, treatment, and eventual cure of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Established in 1987, it operates through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and is funded by the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative.
Florida’s program is one of only a handful of state-supported brain tissue repository networks in the nation. Its mission is to collect and study brain tissue from individuals who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other age-related dementias. Understanding how these diseases develop and progress will ultimately improve care and treatment options for future generations.
The Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center (ADRC) and the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami are the only two organizations in Florida authorized to recruit participants for the Brain Bank program. Together, they serve the state’s 67 counties — working with 15 Memory Disorder Clinics located throughout Florida.
Participating in the Brain Bank program means that families can receive a definitive diagnosis. While physicians can make a highly accurate “clinical diagnosis,” Alzheimer’s disease and many other dementias can only be confirmed through a neuropathological examination after death. Following the brain donation, families receive a detailed report identifying the exact type of dementia present –at no cost.
Enrollment must be completed before the individual’s death. Families should do this early, as applications can take up to eight weeks to process. To qualify, participants must be legal Florida residents and have a documented diagnosis at least 12 months prior, for Alzheimer’s disease or another age-related dementia. A formal diagnosis must be made by a licensed neurologist, psychiatrist, or medical director affiliated with one of Florida’s Memory Disorder Clinics. During enrollment, families also provide medical records and copies of neuroimaging studies, such as MRI or CT scans.
So why jump through all these hoops? Alexandra Garnier-Mercier, the Director of Education Services for the Brain bank at ADRC, offers this encouragement for families considering a donation to the brain bank:
“Brain donation is a generous gesture and a gift that continues to give and teach long after life ends. By examining the brain after autopsy, we often discover a mixed pathology, with multiple brain illnesses contributing together. These hidden complexities advance our understanding, bringing us closer to better diagnosis and treatment for future generations.”
For those who wish to contribute to future breakthroughs in dementia research, participation in the Florida Brain Bank offers a unique opportunity to leave a lasting legacy. For more information, contact One Senior Place in Viera or Altamonte Springs.
Brenda Lyle is a Certified Care Manager and Certified Dementia Practitioner with One Senior Place, Greater Orlando. One Senior Place is a marketplace for resources and provider of information, advice, care and on-site services for seniors and their families. Submit your questions to AskOSP@OneSeniorPlace.com. For immediate help, call 321-751-6771 or visit One Senior Place, The Experts in Aging.
