Sign
out: Neuropathology surgicals, frozen sections,
and autopsies.
I am the principal investigator of
the Neuropathology Core of the Massachusetts Alzheimer
Disease Research Center (ADRC), established over 20
years ago as an integral part of the ADRC at MGH.
The mission of this Core is to conduct neuropathological
examinations on the brains submitted to the Tissue
Resource Center and to distribute tissue to ADRC investigators.
With Dr. Frosch, we use procedures to enhance the
value of these brain tissues to individual investigators
whose specific research projects depend upon receiving
carefully prepared and diagnosed tissue. The roles
of the Core include:
1. Establishing an accurate neuropathological
diagnosis on all brains submitted to the ADRC Tissue
Resource Center;
2. Submission of a standardized report,
clinicopathological correlation and interpretation
of findings to the Clinical Core;
3. Preparation of tissues in a standardized
manner for use by qualified investigators in the Massachusetts
ADRC as well as other investigators in the field of
AD;
4. Maintaining this source of brain
tissue for investigators studying neurodegenerative
disorders;
5. Preparing tissue microarrays representing
distinct groups of diseases or anatomical areas for
use by investigators in the ADRC;
6. Establishing the degree of RNA preservation
in tissues stored in the Bank;
7. Enlarging upon cooperative ventures
with the Udall Parkinson Center at the MGH and the
Harvard Center for Neurodegeneration and Repair;
8. Educating future investigators in
the neuroanatomy and neuropathology of dementing disorders.
This Neuropathology Core includes investigators
with expertise in neuropathology, morphometry, immunocytochemistry,
microarray technology, gene chip applications, laser
capture techniques and in situ hybridization, as well
as expertise in brain banking procedures. We use standardized
protocols for tissue acquisition and dissection procedures
that ensure complete and reproducible examinations
across all cases received. The Tissue Resource Center
maintains a rich collection of paraffin blocks and
frozen as well as formalin-fixed tissue. The frozen
tissue is available both as small blocks and as thin
whole coronal brain slices, in which all the anatomical
structures are clearly visible. Separate databases
within the Brain Tissue Resource Center contain information
on tissue availability, location and investigator
allocation. |
