Brain Changes in Aging and Psychiatric Illness: Brain Autopsy Program

Contact name: Stephanie

Phone: (215)-662-2890

Fax: (215)-662-7903

Email: braindonor@bbl.med.upenn.edu

Disorder: schizophrenia, schizoaffective, bipolar, OCD, psychosis

Geographic location: Pennsylvania

Other keywords: brain, psychosis, brain donation, autopsy

Participant compensation: $35 per evaluation

Time commitment required: 1-2 hours per year

Drug trial: No

Recruitment end date (approximate): March 23, 2006

Study criteria (i.e., age or gender requirements):
- individuals 65 and older with one of the above diagnoses
- family members 65 and older of individuals with one of the above diagnoses
- healthy individuals 65 and older with no psychiatric or neurological disorders
- consent for autopsy in the event of death

Exclusion criteria:
Participation is considered on a case by case basis but typical exclusionary criteria include:
- head injury preceding onset of psychiatric illness
- confounding neurological disorder
- history of major substance abuse

Brief description of study:
For over a decade, the Brain Behavior Center of the University of Pennsylvania has been studying brain changes in aging and psychiatric illness. The purpose of this program is to better understand how psychiatric illnesses and the aging process affect the anatomy and chemistry of the brain. These efforts enable investigators to discover the causes of these disorders, to better therapies, and to improve the well-being of affected individuals.
The research involves the collection of an individual’s medical and psychiatric history, a brief annual assessment of his/her physical and mental abilities, and an autopsy of the brain in the event of death.

Additional information:
The program accepts brain tissue donations from individuals living within a 3-hour drive of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.