TO REPORT THE DEATH OF A REGISTERED BRAIN BANK PARTICIPANT CALL: 407-646-9864
The Florida Brain Bank is a vital research initiative dedicated to advancing scientific understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias. By coordinating brain tissue donations for critical studies, the program supports groundbreaking research that brings us closer to improved diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately a cure.
As one of the few state-supported autopsy and medical research programs in the nation, the Florida Brain Bank plays a unique and essential role in dementia research. Every donation helps scientists uncover new insights into how these diseases develop and progress, providing hope for millions of families impacted by dementia.
Through our partnership with Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami, ADRC proudly serves as the major contributor to the Florida Brain Bank program—one of only two program entry points in the entire state. Our dedicated team coordinates brain tissue donations and autopsy services across 21 counties throughout Central and North Florida, ensuring that every donor’s legacy contributes to meaningful progress in dementia research.
The Florida Brain Bank program offers families something beyond science — it provides answers, hope, and healing.
Through ADRC’s close, one-on-one support with each caregiver and donor family, we ensure that the process is handled with compassion and respect. After a loved one’s passing, the Brain Bank conducts a comprehensive neuropathological examination, resulting in a detailed report that provides families with a definitive diagnosis of the type of dementia their loved one experienced.
Currently, Alzheimer’s disease can only be confirmed with 100% accuracy through an autopsy. While the examination does not determine the cause of death, it provides clear diagnostic information about the specific type of dementia present, which is a crucial distinction for both closure and understanding.
Once complete, ADRC will send the neuropathology report to the family in order for them to review the findings with their loved one’s physician. This knowledge can empower caregivers to make informed lifestyle and health choices that may reduce their own risk for developing dementia-related conditions.
Perhaps most importantly, families often find comfort in knowing that their loved one’s final gift, the donation of brain tissue, contributes to research that may help countless others in the future. In this way, each donor’s legacy becomes a lasting part of the global effort to end Alzheimer’s disease.
Enrollment in the Florida Brain Bank program takes careful coordination and typically requires six to eight weeks to complete. All participants must be registered prior to the time of death and must reside in the state of Florida at both the time of enrollment and at the time of passing.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for participation, individuals must:
- Have a confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another age-related dementia that has been in place for at least 12 months.
- Have completed a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation, including brain imaging.
- Have received the diagnosis from a neurologist, psychiatrist, or medical director of an Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative (ADI)-funded memory disorder clinic.
- Select a local funeral home in advance to coordinate transportation at the time of donation.
The State of Florida Brain Bank Research Program is funded in part by the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative (ADI) through the Department of Elder Affairs, in conjunction with Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami, FL. and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.
How to Register
To learn more about the program or begin the registration process, please contact:
Barbara Mills, our Director of Brain Bank & Volunteer Management
407-964-5234, [email protected]
