Neuropathology Brain Bank and Research CoRE

Human brain tissue is the key to understanding how and why brain diseases develop—and to prevent them. The Neuropathology Brain Bank and Research CoRE (NPBB) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai was created to meet the urgent need for high-quality human tissue in research by combining diagnostic expertise, innovative technologies, and a culture of collaboration. Now home to the National Institutes of Health-funded Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Neuropathology Core, the NPBB provides the infrastructure needed to accelerate the collection, characterization, and distribution of human brain tissue and data to investigators around the world.

Led by John F. Crary, MD, PhD, and co-directed by Jamie Walker, MD, PhD, the NPBB has two components. Our histology service offers comprehensive neuropathology support, including routine and special stains, RNAScope, and BaseScope, for Mount Sinai investigators and external researchers (contact: Claudia De Sanctis, PhD, Senior Scientist and Histology Manager).

In parallel, our brain bank maintains and expands deeply phenotyped collections focused on aging, neurodegenerative disorders (such as Parkinson’s disease, atypical Parkinsonism, Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia), traumatic brain injury, and COVID-19 encephalopathy (contact: Emma Thorn, MA, Brain Bank and Research Manager, for fresh, frozen, or fixed tissues).

By advancing tissue-based science, sharing resources widely, and training the next generation of investigators, the NPBB drives discovery of new diagnostics, treatments and, ultimately, cures. To support our mission, you may donate to our banking and research efforts here.

Support the Neuropathology Laboratory