The Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) has partnered with the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center (HBTRC) to recover donated brain tissue from deceased individuals. The LRA funds research to address Neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) and is supporting a clinical study testing a specific treatment approach. Many groundbreaking discoveries have been made in fields like autism, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s by studying brain tissue from deceased individuals with these diseases.
It is critical to look at brain tissue from people who passed away after having lived with lupus as well as tissue from those who did not have lupus. To that end, we encourage people who do not have lupus to also consider donating their brain tissue.
What is Neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) and how is it relevant?
Neuropsychiatric lupus describes a wide range of brain-involved symptoms, such as not thinking clearly, forgetting things, seizures, strokes, and psychosis. The brain is one of many organs that can be affected by lupus, and up to 95% of people with the disease experience NPSLE. To gain a deeper understanding of what’s going on in the brain and how to treat it, it’s critical to look at human brain tissue directly.
Your gift to advance lupus research
The LRA is asking people with lupus and people who love them to make one of the most meaningful contributions to advance our understanding of how lupus affects the brain. Please consider pledging to donate your brain tissue to lupus research upon your passing.
Committing to donate an organ after you pass away is a priceless gift and legacy that you can bring to advance lupus treatments for others with lupus and for generations to come.
Learn more about our Brain Donor Program (En Espanol)
Learn more about brain banks:
- Inside a Brain Bank, Where Humans’ Most Precious Organ Is Dissected and Studied
- Being smart about research
- Think with your heart this valentine’s day: leave a priceless legacy
How Do I Donate?
Please call 800.BRAINBANK (800.272.4622) or visit the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center website to learn more about the donation process.