Banks play a pivotal role in the economy, but did you know they also contribute to Alzheimer’s research? Established in 1985 through a grant from the Alzheimer’s Association, the Saint Louis University Brain Bank performs between 80 and 120 brain autopsies a year. “Currently, there is no absolute way to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease,” says Dr. George Grossberg, a psychiatrist with Saint Louis University Hospital and professor at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. “Although we are pretty good at it, we are not 100 percent. The only way to be 100 percent is to look at brain tissue under a microscope.”
Through generous donations, the brain bank has expanded over the years. It not only provides information for patients, but also contributes articles in respected medical journals. The brain bank’s research, says Grossberg, helps identify warning signs of Alzheimer’s, such as depression and social isolation. The facility is Missouri’s only community brain bank, storing specimens and performing autopsies, and serves six additional states. While most other brain banks exist for specific research projects, SLU’s focus on patient diagnosis is unique.
