PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF HIGH-RISK BRAIN BANKING

The storage of tissues obtained from patients with clinically document ed and neuropathologically validated diseases of the central nervous s ystem (CNS), and from well-chosen control cases, forms a valuable reso urce for present and future research needs. In particular, it facilita tes immediate application of new investigative technology as this beco mes available. To maximize their usefulness it is desirable to store t issues in a variety of different forms. including fixed and frozen sam ples. However, storage of infective dementias poses special problems ( including risk to future users) since the infective agent may well sur vive long-term storage at -70 degrees C. Guidelines for optimal storag e of such tissues should conform with safety, but should nest be so pr escriptive as to deter pathologists who do not have access to sophisti cated brain banking resources. This article provides information about tissue storage from infective CNS diseases for pathologists who may r equire to retain frozen and other samples from such autopsies either o ccasionally or on a regular basis, Guidelines are offered for banking tissues from cases infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), h epatitis viruses and prions, with detailed description of procedures f or acquisition, storage and transport of high-risk samples. Safety iss ues and protocols for response to accidental injury involving exposure to these agents are highlighted in this article.