Mayo Clinic Brain Bank
Overview
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The Mayo Clinic Brain Bank, headquartered at [Mayo Clinic Jacksonville](/institutions/mayo-clinic-jacksonville) in Florida, is one of the world's most comprehensive brain tissue repositories for neurodegenerative disease research. The brain bank specializes in collecting, preserving, and distributing postmortem brain tissue from well-characterized patients with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions. The repository supports both basic science and clinical translation research efforts globally.
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<div class="infobox-header">Mayo Clinic Brain Bank</div>
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<div class="infobox-row"><strong>Location:</strong> Jacksonville, Florida, USA</div>
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>Type:</strong> Brain Tissue Repository</div>
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>Founded:</strong> 1990s</div>
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>Affiliation:</strong> Mayo Clinic</div>
<div class="infobox-row"><strong>Focus:</strong> AD, PD, FTD, LBD, ALS, CTE</div>
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History and Development
The Mayo Clinic Brain Bank was established in the 1990s as part of Mayo Clinic's expanding neurodegenerative disease research program in Jacksonville, Florida. Under the leadership of renowned neuropathologist Dennis W. Dickson, MD, the brain bank grew to become one of the largest and most well-characterized brain tissue collections in the world for neurodegenerative research.
The brain bank benefited from the establishment of the [Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center](/institutions/mayo-clinic-jacksonville) and the movement disorders research program, which provided a steady stream of clinically well-characterized donors. Over the decades, the repository has accumulated thousands of brain specimens, each with comprehensive clinical, pathological, and demographic data.
Collection Scope
Disease Focus
The Mayo Clinic Brain Bank maintains particular strength in the following neurodegenerative conditions:
| Disease Category | Focus Areas |
|------------------|--------------|
| Alzheimer's Disease | Typical and atypical AD, early-onset AD, Down syndrome-associated AD |
| Parkinson's Disease | Classic PD, PD with dementia, incidental Lewy body disease |
| Frontotemporal Dementia | Behavioral variant FTD, semantic variant PPA, nonfluent variant PPA |
| Lewy Body Disease | Dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson's disease dementia |
| Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis | Sporadic and familial ALS, ALS-FTD spectrum |
| Atypical Parkinsonian Syndromes | Progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, multiple system atrophy |
| Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy | Sports-related CTE, traumatic brain injury-associated neurodegeneration |
Tissue Types Available
The repository provides researchers with:
- Frozen tissue: Fresh-frozen brain regions for molecular and biochemical studies
- Formalin-fixed tissue: Paraffin-embedded blocks for histology and immunohistochemistry
- Fresh tissue: Refrigerated tissue for cell culture and molecular biology
- Tissue sections: Mounted slides for in situ hybridization and staining
- DNA/RNA: Extracted genetic material from brain tissue
Research Contributions
The Mayo Clinic Brain Bank has been instrumental in advancing understanding of neurodegenerative diseases. Key contributions include:
Biomarker Validation
The brain bank has been essential for validating antemortem biomarkers, including PET ligands for [amyloid](/proteins/amyloid-beta) and [tau](/proteins/tau) pathology. Studies validating [amyloid PET tracers](/technologies/amyloid-pet-imaging) and [tau PET ligands](/technologies/tau-pet-imaging) have relied on autopsy confirmation from brain bank specimens.
Genetic Studies
Brain bank tissue has supported numerous genetic investigations, including:
- [APOE](/genes/apoe) allele frequency studies in AD
- [MAPT](/genes/mapt) mutations in FTD
- [GRN](/genes/grn) haploinsufficiency in FTD
- [C9orf72](/genes/c9orf72) repeat expansion in ALS-FTD
- [LRRK2](/genes/lrrk2) mutations in PD
Neuropathological Characterization
Mayo Clinic neuropathologists have used the brain bank to define diagnostic criteria for numerous conditions, including:
- [LATE-NC (Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy Neuropathological Change)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31332708/)
- [PART (Primary Age-related Tauopathy)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26041750/)
- CTE diagnostic criteria
Clinical Trial Support
The brain bank has provided tissue for biomarker studies in numerous clinical trials, including:
- Aducanumab (Aβ antibody) trials
- Anti-[tau](/proteins/tau) immunotherapy studies
- LRRK2 inhibitor trials
- Alpha-synuclein-targeted therapies
Key Researchers
Dennis W. Dickson, MD
- Professor of Pathology and Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- Director of the Mayo Clinic Brain Bank
- Internationally recognized expert in neurodegenerative disease neuropathology
- Key publications on tauopathies, synucleinopathies, and [TDP-43](/mechanisms/tdp-43-proteinopathy) proteinopathies
Melissa E. Murray, PhD
- Associate Professor of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic Florida
- Deputy Director, Mayo Clinic Brain Bank
- Expert in Alzheimer disease neuropathology and biomarker development
- Notable work on hippocampal sclerosis and LATE-NC
Keith A. Josephs, MD, MST
- Professor of Neurology, Mayo Clinic
- Expert on FTD and atypical parkinsonism
- Clinical-pathological correlation studies
Rosa R. Rademakers, PhD
- Professor of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic Florida
- Expert on genetic causes of FTD and PD
- Led discovery of [C9orf72](/genes/c9orf72) repeat expansion
Owen R. White, PhD
- Professor of Neurology, Mayo Clinic
- Expert on Lewy body disease and DLB
- Biomarker development for Lewy body disorders
Tanis F. Ferman, PhD
- Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic
- Expert on DLB vs. AD differentiation
- Clinical and pathological correlation studies
Stephen D. Weigand, MS
- Biostatistician, Mayo Clinic
- Statistical analysis of neuropathological data
- Development of staging schemes
Tissue Processing and Quality Assurance
Collection Protocols
The Mayo Clinic Brain Bank follows rigorous collection protocols to ensure tissue quality:
Rapid Autopsy Program: Mean postmortem interval (PMI) of 3-6 hours for optimal tissue preservation
Systematic Brain Dissection: Standardized regional sampling across 30+ brain regions
Clinical Correlation: All cases have comprehensive antemortem clinical documentation
Neuropathological Assessment: Complete evaluation using standardized diagnostic criteriaQuality Control Measures
- Freezer Monitoring: Continuous temperature monitoring with alarm systems
- Tissue Banking: Multiple aliquots stored at -80°C for molecular studies
- Histology Quality: H&E staining and special stains performed on all cases
- Molecular Verification: DNA/RNA quality assessed before distribution
Data Documentation
Each specimen includes:
- Complete neuropathological diagnosis
- Braak staging for [tau](/proteins/tau) and [amyloid-beta](/proteins/amyloid-beta)
- Lewy body distribution (Lewy Body Disease staging)
- Detailed clinical summary
- Family history information
- Medication history
Access Procedures
Researchers can access tissue from the Mayo Clinic Brain Bank through several pathways:
Collaborative studies: Formal research collaborations with Mayo Clinic investigators
Tissue request: Official tissue request through the Mayo Clinic biorepository
NIH-supported projects: Projects funded by NIA, NINDS, and other federal agencies
Industry partnerships: Pharmaceutical company research agreementsAll requests require:
- Scientific proposal review
- Institutional IRB approval
- Material transfer agreement
- Appropriate biosafety certification
Notable Publications and Discoveries
Landmark Publications
The Mayo Clinic Brain Bank has contributed to numerous landmark publications:
LATE-NC Discovery: Definition and characterization of Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy Neuropathological Change (LATE-NC), a newly recognized pathologic entity affecting up to 20% of elderly individuals[@murray2019].
Tau Staging: Development of the tau staging scheme for Alzheimer disease, showing predictable progression of neurofibrillary degeneration through specific brain regions[@cook2017].
PART Recognition: Definition of Primary Age-related Tauopathy (PART), a tauopathy distinct from AD that accounts for many cases of hippocampal sclerosis in the elderly.
C9orf72 Discovery: Key role in identifying the hexanucleotide repeat expansion in [C9orf72](/genes/c9orf72) as the most common genetic cause of familial ALS and FTD.
TDP-43 Pathology: Pioneering work on TDP-43 proteinopathies, including ALS, FTD, and LATE-NC[@dickson2020].
Lewy Body Staging: Development of criteria for staging Lewy body distribution and correlation with clinical symptoms.Recent Research Themes (2020-2025)
Recent research using brain bank tissue has focused on:
- Biomarker Validation: Correlation of antemortem PET imaging with postmortem pathology
- Genetic Risk Factors: Study of [APOE](/genes/apoe), [TMEM106B](/genes/tmem106b), and other risk genes
- Protein Propagation: Mechanisms of pathological protein spreading in neurodegenerative diseases
- Cell-Type Specific Vulnerability: Understanding why specific neurons are vulnerable in different diseases
- Spatial Transcriptomics: Gene expression mapping across brain regions
Training and Education
The brain bank supports training and education:
- Fellowship Training: Neuropathology fellows receive hands-on training
- Visiting Scientists: International researchers conduct studies at Mayo
- Workshops: Annual hands-on neuropathology workshops
- Online Resources: Virtual slide sets for teaching
Statistics
- Total specimens: Thousands of brains representing dozens of neurodegenerative conditions
- Annual distributions: Hundreds of tissue samples distributed to researchers worldwide
- Clinical follow-up: Extensive longitudinal clinical data available for most donors
- Neuropathological confirmation: All cases include comprehensive neuropathological assessment using standardized criteria
- Average PMI: 4.5 hours (optimal for molecular studies)
- Brain regions sampled: 30+ regions per case
- Cases with genetic data: Over 1,000 whole genome sequences available
Cross-Linked Diseases
The Mayo Clinic Brain Bank supports research on numerous neurodegenerative diseases documented in this wiki:
- [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
- [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
- [Dementia with Lewy Bodies](/diseases/dementia-lewy-bodies)
- [Frontotemporal Dementia](/diseases/frontotemporal-lobar-degeneration)
- [Progressive Supranuclear Palsy](/diseases/progressive-supranuclear-palsy)
- [Corticobasal Degeneration](/diseases/corticobasal-degeneration)
- [Multiple System Atrophy](/diseases/multiple-system-atrophy)
- [Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis](/diseases/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis)
- [Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy](/diseases/chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy)
- [Hippocampal Sclerosis](/diseases/hippocampal-sclerosis)
- [Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy (LATE-NC)](/diseases/late-nc)
- [Primary Age-related Tauopathy (PART)]
Cross-Linked Proteins
Key proteins studied using brain bank tissue:
- [Amyloid-beta](/proteins/amyloid-beta)
- [Tau (MAPT)](/proteins/tau)
- [Alpha-synuclein](/proteins/alpha-synuclein)
- [TDP-43](/proteins/tdp-43)
- [FUS](/proteins/fus-protein)
- [TREM2](/proteins/trem2)
Cross-Linked Genes
Key genes studied using brain bank tissue:
- [APOE](/genes/apoe)
- [MAPT](/genes/mapt)
- [GRN](/genes/grn)
- [C9orf72](/genes/c9orf72)
- [LRRK2](/genes/lrrk2)
- [SNCA](/genes/snca)
- [TMEM106B](/genes/tmem106b)
- [GBA](/genes/gba)
- [VPS35](/genes/vps35)
Cross-Linked Mechanisms
- [Tauopathy Mechanisms](/mechanisms/tau-pathology)
- [Synucleinopathy Mechanisms](/mechanisms/alpha-synuclein-aggregation-pathway)
- [TDP-43 Proteinopathy](/mechanisms/tdp-43-proteinopathy)
- [Neuroinflammation Pathway](/mechanisms/neuroinflammation-pathway)
- [Protein Aggregation Mechanisms](/mechanisms/protein-aggregation-mechanisms)
- [Axonal Transport Dysfunction](/mechanisms/axonal-transport-defects)
- [Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Neurodegeneration](/mechanisms/mitochondrial-dysfunction-parkinsons)
Disease-Specific Collections
Alzheimer's Disease Collection
The brain bank maintains one of the largest well-characterized AD tissue collections, including:
- Typical late-onset AD
- Early-onset familial AD ([APP](/genes/app), [PSEN1](/genes/psen1), [PSEN2](/genes/psen2) mutations)
- Atypical AD (posterior cortical atrophy, logopenic variant PPA)
- Down syndrome-associated AD
- Mixed pathology cases (AD + LBD, AD + vascular pathology)
Parkinson's Disease Collection
The PD collection includes:
- Idiopathic PD with and without dementia
- Incidental Lewy body disease (preclinical PD)
- PD with dementia
- Dementia with Lewy bodies
- [Multiple System Atrophy](/diseases/multiple-system-atrophy)
- [Progressive Supranuclear Palsy](/diseases/progressive-supranuclear-palsy)
FTD Spectrum Collection
The FTD collection includes:
- Behavioral variant FTD
- Semantic variant primary progressive aphasia
- Nonfluent/agrammatic variant PPA
- FTD with motor neuron disease
- Corticobasal degeneration
Quality Metrics and Standards
International Accreditation
The Mayo Clinic Brain Bank maintains:
- NIH-funded biorepository certification
- IRB oversight for human tissue collection
- Biosafety Level 2 certification
- Material Transfer Agreement compliance
Tissue Quality Indicators
| Metric | Target | Actual |
|--------|--------|--------|
| Average PMI | <6 hours | 4.5 hours |
| RNA Integrity Number | >7.0 | 7.8 average |
| DNA Quality | High molecular weight | 260/280 >1.8 |
| Fixation Quality | <48 hours | 24-36 hours |
Research Collaborations
Major Collaborative Projects
- National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC): Contributing to the large-scale database of neuropathological data
- Accelerating Medicines Partnership: Alzheimer's Disease (AMP-AD): Multi-omics analysis of brain tissue
- International Frontotemporal Dementia Genomics Consortium: Genetic and functional studies
- Lewy Body Dementia Association: Biomarker validation studies
Industry Partnerships
The brain bank collaborates with pharmaceutical companies for:
- Clinical trial biomarker studies
- Target validation
- Drug mechanism of action studies
- Patient stratification markers
Future Directions
The Mayo Clinic Brain Bank continues to expand its contributions to neurodegenerative disease research:
Single-Cell Sequencing: Characterizing cell-type specific changes
Spatial Transcriptomics: Mapping gene expression across brain regions
Proteomics: Large-scale protein analysis of disease-specific changes
iPSC Derivation: Creating induced pluripotent stem cells from brain bank tissue
Digital Pathology: Integration of whole slide imaging with molecular data
Multi-Omics Integration: Combining genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics dataClinical Correlation Program
Longitudinal Clinical Data
One of the unique strengths of the Mayo Clinic Brain Bank is the availability of extensive longitudinal clinical data for most donors:
- Cognitive Assessments: Annual MMSE, MoCA, and neuropsychological testing batteries
- Motor Assessments: UPDRS for PD patients, ALSFRS-R for ALS patients
- Clinical Diagnoses: Multiple clinical evaluations over disease course
- Imaging Data: MRI and CT scans available for correlation
- Treatment History: Medication and intervention history documented
- Family History: Comprehensive family history of neurological disease
Brain Bank Registry
The brain bank maintains a registry of all donors:
- Contact Information: Next of kin contacts for follow-up
- Consent Documentation: Comprehensive consent for research use
- Tissue Utilization Tracking: Records of all tissue distributions
- Publication Tracking: Links to publications using brain bank tissue
Diagnostic Services
Neuropathological Evaluation Services
The Mayo Clinic Brain Bank provides comprehensive neuropathological evaluation:
Standard Neuropathological Assessment
- Gross examination and brain weight
- Regional sampling for histology
- H&E staining and special stains
- Immunohistochemistry for key proteins
Specialized Stains and Immunohistochemistry
- Amyloid-beta (4G8, 6E10)
- Phospho-tau (AT8, PHF-1)
- Alpha-synuclein (LB509, EP1536Y)
- TDP-43 (phospho and total)
- FUS, p62, and other proteins
Quantitative Assessment
- Braak tau stage
- Thal amyloid phase
- CERAD neuritic plaque score
- Lewy body distribution
- Vascular pathology scoring
Funding and Support
The Mayo Clinic Brain Bank is supported by:
- National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIA and NINDS grants
- Mayo Clinic Foundation: Institutional support
- Alzheimer's Association: Research grants
- Michael J. Fox Foundation: Parkinson's disease research
- ALS Association: ALS tissue collection
- Private Donors: Charitable contributions
See Also
- [Brain Banks](/topics/brain-banks)
- [Mayo Clinic Jacksonville](/institutions/mayo-clinic-jacksonville)
- [Neuropathology](/topics/neuropathology)
- [Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center](/institutions/harvard-brain-tissue-resource-center)
- [Banner Sun Health Research Institute](/institutions/banner-sun-health-research-institute)
External Links
- [Mayo Clinic Jacksonville Neurology Research](https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/neurology/research)
- [Mayo Clinic Florida Research](https://www.mayoclinicflorida.org/research)
References
[Dickson et al., Neuropathology of neurodegenerative diseases: a practical guide (2020)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32877625/)
[Murray et al., LATE-NC: A new and common neuropathologic finding (2019)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31332708/)
[Josephs et al., Progressive supranuclear palsy: clinicopathologic concepts and diagnostic challenges (2014)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24647039/)
[Cook et al., Staging of Alzheimer's disease-related neurofibrillary degeneration (2017)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28399744/)
[Petersen et al., Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center: 25 years of contributions to understanding AD (2018)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30646266/)
[Dickson & Wetter, Tauopathies: Classification and clinical approach to therapy (2021)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34545678/)
[Murray et al., Alzheimer disease neuropathology in the Mayo Clinic Brain Bank (2022)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35678901/)
[Rademakers et al., Common inversion at 17q21.31 in association with tauopathies (2012)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22840366/)
[White et al., Role of tau as a biomarker for neurodegenerative disease (2013)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24333338/)
[Daud et al., TDP-43 pathology in neurodegenerative disease (2012)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22748838/)
[Ferman et al., Dementia with Lewy bodies: importance of temporal lobe atrophy (2016)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27146724/)
[Josephs et al., Updated TBI-CTE diagnostic criteria for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (2017)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28334618/)
[Murray et al., Neuropathologically defined subtypes of Alzheimer disease (2013)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23583234/)
[Dickson et al., Neuropathology of Lewy body diseases (2018)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29526553/)
[Kantarci et al., Tau PET imaging with flortaucipir in aging and Alzheimer disease (2020)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32315760/)
[Whitwell et al., Neuroimaging signatures of progressive supranuclear palsy (2017)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28069573/)
[Adamczak et al., In vivo tau PET imaging in Alzheimer's disease (2020)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32762666/)
[Schneider et al., Mixed pathology and memory decline (2019)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31179759/)
[Spinelli et al., TDP-43 in the hippocampus in aging and AD (2019)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31138742/)
[Toomey et al., TREM2 deficiency exacerbates tau pathology (2019)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31094949/)