1
|
Griffin CP, Bowen JR, Walker MM, Lynam J, Paul CL. Understanding the value of brain donation for research to donors, next-of-kin and clinicians: A systematic review. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295438. [PMID: 38117774 PMCID: PMC10732432 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Post-mortem brain donation affords the opportunity to characterise disease by exploring global neuropathological changes. Such opportunities are essential to progress knowledge of CNS tumours such as Glioblastoma. A comprehensive understanding of the experience of consenting to brain donation is crucial to maximising consent rates while providing patient-centred care. This review aimed to synthesise the reported facilitators and barriers according to potential donors, next-of-kin (NOK) and clinician respondents. DESIGN Database searches included Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Psychology and Behavioural Science and Scopus. Search terms focused on motivations, attitudes and psychosocial experiences of brain donation. Exclusions included organ transplantation and brain death. All studies were assessed for quality and validity using tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute. To determine perceptions of benefit and harm, a method guided by the thematic analysis of Braun and Clarke was employed to reflexively assess and identify common themes and experiences. RESULTS 40 studies (15 qualitative, 25 quantitative) were included involving participants with paediatric cancer, neurodegenerative and psychological diseases. Perceptions of benefit included benefit to future generations, aiding scientific research, avoidance of waste, improved treatments and the belief that donation will bring consolation or aid in the grieving process. Perceptions of harm included a perceived conflict with religious beliefs, disfigurement to the donor, emotional distress at the time of autopsy and discord or objections within the family. CONCLUSION Brain donation can afford a sense of purpose, meaning and empowerment for donors and their loved ones. Careful strategies are required to mitigate or reduce potential harms during the consent process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra P. Griffin
- College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing University of Newcastle, Tamworth, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Jenna R. Bowen
- College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing University of Newcastle, Tamworth, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Marjorie M. Walker
- College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing University of Newcastle, Tamworth, NSW, Australia
| | - James Lynam
- College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing University of Newcastle, Tamworth, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Calvary Mater, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Christine L. Paul
- College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing University of Newcastle, Tamworth, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Priority Research Centre Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
- Priority Research Centre Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Griffin CP, Paul CL, Alexander KL, Walker MM, Hondermarck H, Lynam J. Postmortem brain donations vs premortem surgical resections for glioblastoma research: viewing the matter as a whole. Neurooncol Adv 2022; 4:vdab168. [PMID: 35047819 PMCID: PMC8760897 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdab168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
There have been limited improvements in diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of primary brain cancers, including glioblastoma, over the past 10 years. This is largely attributable to persistent deficits in understanding brain tumor biology and pathogenesis due to a lack of high-quality biological research specimens. Traditional, premortem, surgical biopsy samples do not allow full characterization of the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of glioblastoma, nor capture end-stage disease to allow full evaluation of the evolutionary and mutational processes that lead to treatment resistance and recurrence. Furthermore, the necessity of ensuring sufficient viable tissue is available for histopathological diagnosis, while minimizing surgically induced functional deficit, leaves minimal tissue for research purposes and results in formalin fixation of most surgical specimens. Postmortem brain donation programs are rapidly gaining support due to their unique ability to address the limitations associated with surgical tissue sampling. Collecting, processing, and preserving tissue samples intended solely for research provides both a spatial and temporal view of tumor heterogeneity as well as the opportunity to fully characterize end-stage disease from histological and molecular standpoints. This review explores the limitations of traditional sample collection and the opportunities afforded by postmortem brain donations for future neurobiological cancer research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra P Griffin
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Cancer Biobank: NSW Regional Biospecimen and Research Services, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Cancer Research Alliance, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christine L Paul
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Cancer Research Alliance, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Priority Research Centre Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Priority Research Centre Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kimberley L Alexander
- Neurosurgery Department, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
- Brainstorm Brain Cancer Research, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Neuropathology Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Marjorie M Walker
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Cancer Research Alliance, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hubert Hondermarck
- Hunter Cancer Research Alliance, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - James Lynam
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Cancer Research Alliance, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Calvary Mater, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chan RJW, Seah S, Foo JYJ, Yong ACW, Chia NSY, Agustin SJU, Neo SXM, Tay KY, Au WL, Tan LCS, Ng ASL. Patient attitudes towards brain donation across both neurodegenerative and non-neurodegenerative neurological disorders. Cell Tissue Bank 2020; 21:265-277. [PMID: 32140800 DOI: 10.1007/s10561-020-09819-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Brain donations are imperative for research; understanding possible barriers to entry is required to improve brain donation rates. While a few surveys have studied attitudes towards brain banking in patients with neurodegenerative disorders, none have surveyed patients with chronic neurological disorders but without neurodegeneration. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 187 participants, with both neurodegenerative (n = 122) and non-neurodegenerative disorders (n = 65), to compare their attitudes and preferences towards brain donation. Encouragingly, patients with non-neurodegenerative disorders were just as likely to consider brain donation as those with neurodegenerative diseases. Approximately half of each group were willing to consider brain donation, and majority of participants across both groups would not be offended if asked to participate in brain donation (71%). Across both groups, altruistic reasons such as desire to advance medical knowledge and benefit to other patients were the main motivating factors for brain donation, while perceived stress for family members, fears of body disfigurement and religious reasons were the main reasons against brain donation. Of note, nearly two-thirds of all participants were agreeable to allow their family to decide on their behalf. Overall, participants with non-neurodegenerative disorders appeared equally likely to consider brain donation as participants with neurodegenerative disorders. This is an important finding as they represent a significant population seen in specialist neurology clinics who may be overlooked in brain donor recruitment and awareness efforts. Healthcare professionals involved in brain banking should consider actively approaching these potential donors and involving their family members in these discussions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reudi J W Chan
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 11 Mandalay Road, Singapore, 308232, Singapore
| | - Sherilyn Seah
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 10 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Joel Y J Foo
- Department of Research, National Neuroscience Institute, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433, Singapore
| | - Alisa C W Yong
- Department of Research, National Neuroscience Institute, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433, Singapore
| | - Nicole S Y Chia
- Department of Research, National Neuroscience Institute, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433, Singapore
| | - Sherwin J U Agustin
- Department of Research, National Neuroscience Institute, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433, Singapore
| | - Shermyn X M Neo
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433, Singapore
| | - Kay-Yaw Tay
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433, Singapore
| | - Wing-Lok Au
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433, Singapore
| | - Louis C S Tan
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433, Singapore
| | - Adeline S L Ng
- Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433, Singapore.
- Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|