Frequency of brain tissue donation for research after suicide

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the frequency of brain tissue donation for research purposes by families of individuals that committed suicide. Methods: All requests for brain tissue donation to a brain biorepository made to the families of individuals aged 18-60 years who had committed suicide between March 2014 and February 2016 were included. Cases presenting with brain damage due to acute trauma were excluded. Results: Fifty-six cases of suicide were reported. Of these, 24 fulfilled the exclusion criteria, and 11 others were excluded because no next of kin was found to provide informed consent. Of the 21 remaining cases, brain tissue donation was authorized in nine (tissue fragments in seven and the entire organ in two). Conclusions: Donation of brain tissue from suicide cases for research purposes is feasible. The acceptance rate of 42.8% in our sample is in accordance with international data on such donations, and similar to rates reported for neurodegenerative diseases.

A qualitative study exploring the process of postmortem brain tissue donation after suicide

“…This study is part of a project for a repository of brain tissue specimens collected from people who died by suicide 40 . Family members of decedents who were eligible for brain tissue donation were asked to consider the donation.…”

“…For the past eight years, we have been working on the establishment of a biorepository of tissue specimens obtained from people who died by suicide 40 . As part of the donation protocol, we set up a qualitative study with in-depth interviews to investigate the donation process and its consequences.…”

“At that moment, understanding the donation is crucial to make a decision”:A qualitative study exploring the process of postmortem brain tissue donation after suicide

“…This study is part of a project for a repository of brain tissue specimens collected from people who died by suicide [43]. Family members of decedents who were eligible for brain tissue donation were asked to consider the donation.…”

“…Participants were adult family members of people who died by suicide and were asked to consider brain tissue donation (detailed in Longaray et al) [43]. They were initially approached because they were present at the Medicolegal Department to attend to mandatory procedures regarding violent deaths.…”

“…For the past eight years, we have been working on the establishment of a biorepository of tissue specimens obtained from people who died by suicide [43]. As part of the donation protocol, we set up a qualitative study with in-depth interviews to investigate the donation process and its consequences.…”