The Neurotrauma Tissue and Fluid Bank (NTB), which is located at the National Trauma Research Institute, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne has been established to collect, store and distribute high quality post mortem human central nervous system tissues from individuals who have died within two weeks of sustaining a severe closed head injury. To date, the NTB has collected and stored tissue samples from 38 individuals, tissue which is available to researchers upon request.

The NTB also collects cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum from patients at The Alfred Hospital with severe brain injuries via intraventricular catheters used for treatment and monitoring of brain swelling and elevated intracranial pressure.  The collection includes CSF and serum samples collected from approximately 90 patients on consecutive days beginning from the first 24 hours post-trauma.

The tissue collected by the NTB allows researchers to study the changes in the human brain at times of acute brain trauma.  Such studies add to those relying on neuroimaging technology, animal models and cell culture systems, in providing valuable information on the pathological effects of brain trauma. The NTB is also in the process of collecting pathology data for each of these individuals to further understand the severe head injury sustained.

The NTB is supported by the Mazda Foundation and Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative.

Requesting tissue for research

For further information please contact:

Alison Conquest
Research Coordinator
Neurotrauma Tissue and Fluid Bank
National Trauma Research Institute
Level 4, Burnet Tower
The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne VIC 3004
Telephone: +61 3 9076 8790
Facsimile:   +61 3 9076 8811
Email:          ntb@alfred.org.au