Locating Biospecimens
Since 1984, NACC has gathered data on various tissues stored at the ADRCs for their participants. Some tissues are from autopsies and others are from living subjects. Postmortem specimens include brain tissue (frozen, formalin-fixed, and paraffin-block) and CSF. Antemortem specimens include DNA, serum, and CSF.
Clinical and pathological features characterizing the participants who supplied tissue are defined in the MDS, UDS, or NP data forms or guidebooks.
Please note that the tissues reported as stored at an ADRC may not reflect the Center’s current inventory, as tissue samples are often depleted over time or unavailable for sharing. Thus, all estimates of availability are rough estimates.
Tissue Location Request
To find ADRCs that may have specimens from the well-characterized participants in NACC’s longitudinal UDS available at their Center, you should submit a Tissue Request and provide NACC with a brief description of the type(s) of tissue you are looking for and any parameters needed to narrow your selection
NACC will send you a Quick Access file, along with tips from the NACC team, which you will need to narrow down your sample. Once you have your dataset narrowed down to your sample of interest, NACC can provide relevant contact information for the Centers in your sample so that you can contact them for sharing.
Biospecimen Resource Locator Tool
It's possible that the biospecimens you're looking for are not from UDS participants. Use the Biospecimen Resource Locator Tool below to find information on biospecimens banked at the ADRCs from participants who may not be represented in the UDS. You can use the Tool to:
- Filter by tissue type, neuropathologic disease, etc.
- Find contact information for who you can submit biospecimen-sharing requests to at the Center(s).