Brains are prepared at the time of autopsy by technicians trained in anatomical dissection. The NSWBTRC brain collection protocol (Fig. 1) ensures that the maximum range and number of specimens become available to researchers. Both fresh-frozen and formalin-fixed tissue is collected and stored with the fixed hemisphere being cut at 3 mm by a rotary slicer to allow whole and regional brain volumetric analysis. The regions dissected from the fixed and frozen hemispheres (Table 1) are evidence-based and updated to reflect the current research zeitgeist. In particular, fixed blocks of commonly requested regions are paraffin-embedded at approximately 3 weeks, providing a uniform source of tissue for immunohistochemical studies. Additional regions can be requested, subject to Scientific Review Committee approval, but tissue storage times will vary as per time of donation.
