Human Brain and Spinal Fluid Resource Center
Sponsoring organization
Human Brain and Spinal Fluid Resource Center
http://brainbank.ucla.edu/
Repository website
Primary contact
The Human Brain and Spinal Fluid Resource Center
Building 212 Room 16
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
West Los Angeles Healthcare Center
11301 Wilshire Blvd. 127A
Los Angeles, CA 90073
Coordinator:
1-310-268-3536
Director:
Rashed M. Nagra, Ph.D.
RMNbbank@ucla.edu
1-310-268-3648
Sample types available
Cerebrospinal fluid (pre- and postmortem)
Serum
Plasma
Brain tissue (pre- and postmortem)
Spinal cords
Sample-processing information
Fluids:
Pre- and postmortem cerebrospinal fluid, serum, and plasma are stored at 80° Celsius.
Brain Tissue:
4° C fresh: sliced into 8-mm coronal slabs, labeled, imaged, bagged airtight, quick-frozen at –150° C, and stored at –80° C.
Slow frozen: thawed to –4° C overnight, sliced, labeled, imaged, bagged airtight, quick-frozen at –150° C, and stored at –80° C.
Formalin fixed: sliced, labeled, imaged, bagged, and stored in 10% buffered formalin.
Data available for each sample
Clinical history (some case-by-case variation depending on the source) and lab-processing data.
Quantity of available samples
The bank’s inventory is dynamic as specimens are provided to researchers and new ones are added all the time. Currently, the bank has brain tissue from about 2900 cases.
MS samples (as of January 2012)
Brain tissue: 360 frozen, 145.5 fixed
Total cerebrospinal fluid: 40,000 premortem, 2400 postmortem
Total serum: 440,000 premortem, 900 postmortem
Total urine: 3882
Who can request samples
Anyone with an approved research project; pilot specimens are also available to researchers whose proposals are pending a decision.
Cost
Researcher pays shipping expenses.
How to request samples
If you would like to obtain human neurospecimens for your research, please write to Rashed M. Nagra, Ph.D., Director, and include the following information:
Purpose of request.
Source of funding (if funded).
Title of grant (if applicable).
Standardized methods to be used.
Prior use of human specimens.
Do you want fresh, quick-frozen tissue or formalin tissue?
Number and diagnosis of cases needed for study.
Amount of specimens required for analysis.
Specific structures/areas of interest.
Autolysis time.
Age range.
Gender preference or not.
Do you want samples coded for blind studies?
Do you need clinical information on specimens received? If so, be specific about what you will need.
Do you have IRB approval for your study?
List name and email address of the director of laboratory.
Please send your email address and telephone number.
If we are able to supply you with tissue, we will request that you pay shipping expenses.
How did you hear about our bank? i.e., MSDF; prior user; another investigator; ad from a meeting; from Dr. Tourtellotte; etc.
Requirements associated with sample use
An approved research project.
Acknowledgment of the bank as source of specimens in any publications that result.
Scientific collaborative arrangements with the bank are encouraged.
Ongoing sample collection?
Yes.
Sample Publications
Tumor necrosis factor identified in multiple sclerosis brain.
Hofman FM, Hinton DR, Johnson K and Merrill JE.
J Exp Med. 1989 Aug 1;170(2):607-12.
Induction of nitric oxide synthase in demyelinating regions of multiple sclerosis brains.
Bo L, Dawson TM, Wesselingh S, Mork S, Choi S, Kong PA, Hanley D and Trapp BD.
Ann Neurol. 1994 Nov;36(5):778-86.
Colocalization of lymphocytes bearing gd T-cell receptor and heat shock protein hsp65+ oligodendrocytes in multiple sclerosis.
Selmaj K, Brosnan CF and Raine SR.
Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1991 Aug 1;88(15):6452-6.
Plaque-associated expression of human herpesvirus 6 in multiple sclerosis.
Challoner PB, Smith KT, Parker JD, MacLeod DL, Coulter SN, Rose TM, Schultz ER, Bennett JL, Garber RL, Chang M, et al.
Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1995 Aug 1;92(16):7440-4.
Involvement of the CD95 (APO-1/Fas) receptor/ligand system in multiple sclerosis brain.
Dowling P, Shang G, Raval S, Menonna J, Cook S, Husar W.
J Exp Med. 1996 Oct 1;184(4):1513-8.
Matrix metalloproteinases in the normal human central nervous system, microglial nodules and multiple sclerosis lesions.
Maeda A, Sobel RA.
J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 1996 Mar;55(3):300-9.