Linkage with human neuropathology studies

Over several decades neuropathological research has provided foundational insights into the biology and pathology of TBI, informing and enabling advances across the patient pathway spanning diagnostic evaluation to novel therapy development. Further, studies in human neuropathology remain central to providing a translational ‘sense check’ for pre-clinical research. Nevertheless, despite the unique insights into TBI afforded by human neuropathology studies, there are remarkably few research tissue archives accessible and adequately resourced to support investigator led studies. Further, expertise required to interrogate and derive robust observations from these rare tissues specimens is limited. To address this, the ‘Linkage with human neuropathology studies’ working group identified four immediate priorities to develop and democratise human neuropathology studies to support global TBI research as:

1. Embed human neuropathology research as a core activity in ongoing and future clinical research programs.
2. Integrate human neuropathology studies as calibration and corroboration arms into pre- clinical programs
3. Coordinate global neuropathology networks to provide support for clinical and pre-clinical research programs
4. Develop accessible digital pathology platforms.

As a route to delivering these goals, the working group propose a white paper calling on investigators and funding agencies to develop an initiative, ‘Brains for TBI research’, to embed coordinated and standardized research brain donation as a core requirement in clinical research programs going forward.