Global Challenges in Brain Banking for Neurology Research

Exploration of human brain tissue is pivotal for advancing neurology and improving public health, especially as the world faces a growing health crisis linked to the aging population and associated neurodegenerative diseases. Traditional animal models fall short in mirroring human brain pathophysiology, necessitating the use of human post-mortem specimens to thoroughly investigate brain functions and mechanisms under both normal and pathological states. The development of brain banks—facilities that collect, store, and manage brain specimens—in different ethnic-geographical contexts and the sharing of protocols and information are critical to support the evolution of "precision neurology," which aims to integrate clinicopathological data with genomic and other omics-based methodologies to illuminate the causes of brain diseases.

This Research Topic aims to enhance the existing frameworks of brain banking and explore new methodologies for facilitating early diagnosis and personalized therapeutic strategies. These improvements are crucial for identifying specific biological markers and therapeutic targets through the continuous analysis of brain tissue, as this can significantly impact the treatment and understanding of brain disorders across diverse ethnic and geographic populations. Additionally, our Research Topic will also aim to promote brain donation programs by addressing logistical and ethical concerns related to brain specimen collection, storage, and research.

To gather further insights into the global extent, scientific advancements, and operational norms of brain banks, we welcome submissions across a diverse range of manuscript types supported by the journal (including Original Research, Brief Research Reports, Perspectives, Protocols, Mini-Review, etc.). These manuscripts should explore, but not be limited to, the following themes:
- The geographic distribution of brain banks worldwide.
- Descriptions of varied brain banking protocols across different continents, noting geographical, ethnic, and cultural variations.
- Detailed examinations of budding countries in the brain banking scenarios, with a global comparative insight of more “experienced” countries.
- Development of “Centres for Brain Research and Donation” to facilitate the comparison and sharing of operational protocols and create an effective international brain banking network.
- Research and protocols on the engagement of individuals in brain donation programs, including brain donors, their families, patients’ associations, hospitals, and general practitioners.
- Clinico-pathological correlations and advanced neuropathological investigative techniques derived from the brain banks.
- Advancements of “precision neurology” derived from brain bank.
- Biochemical analyses on fresh brain tissue, focusing on omics sciences' potential to broaden our understanding of normal and pathological brain functioning.
- Development of the brain bank requirements, ensuring brain specimen’s scientific and ethical use without profit purposes.
- Scientific advances related to the legislative, ethical, and operative workflow of brain back, aiming to preserve the efficiency of specimen collection.

Thoughtful engagement in this Research Topic could significantly advance the field's understanding of neurology, as the universal challenges and solutions shared by the global brain banking community have the potential to inspire and foster more effective disease exploration and therapeutic approaches.

Articles accepted after peer review will be published and appear online as soon as approved for publication.

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Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review

Keywords: brain bank, brain pathology, precision neurology, brain donation, neurodiagnostics, geographic variations

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.