Brain Autopsy Instructions
for Nursing Homes
Northwestern Alzheimer's Disease Center
These instructions are to be given to the nursing home in advance
if possible, so that any questions can be answered to facilitate
brain donation. Please place this document in the Nursing Home Chart.
The family of ____________________________ has chosen Northwestern
Memorial Hospital to conduct a brain autopsy (brain donation) at
the time of death.
Because the tissue is to be used for research purposes, it is important
that the brain autopsy be performed as soon as possible after death.
If the patient’s condition seems terminal, please notify the
staff of the Northwestern Alzheimer’s Disease Center to help
the hospital, family, nursing home, and funeral home coordinate
the impending death. You can contact the Northwestern Alzheimer
Center at 312-695-2343 between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday-Friday. At
other times, call the 24-hour number listed below.
When the patient dies, please contact the family as soon as possible
so that the body transport and brain removal can be coordinated
with the family. The family should call the 24-hour autopsy line of the Northwestern Alzheimer’s Disease Center (773-495-2982).
This is a 24-hour service; however, usually it is not necessary
to call between midnight and 6 am. If it is more convenient, the
call can be placed at 6 a.m.
We must obtain a death certificate from the Family MD to verify
cause of death before proceeding with our brain autopsy. We appreciate
your help in expediting the death certificate from the Family MD.
The certificate can be faxed directly to Medical Records at 312-926-3093.
Call us for information forms for FAMILY. We can also send you
forms to give the FUNERAL HOME when they pick up the body.
For more information, contact the Memory Research team at 312-695-2343 or
at memoryresearch@northwestern.edu
Related Information
Brain Donation: Making the Decision
Information for Participants
General Procedures
Funeral Home Information
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