ABOUT US

Using Our Brains was established in April 2002 to facilitate important medical research on the human brain. As with other donor programmes, it is crucial that we encourage members from all parts of the community to give generously to this important part of medical research.

The Using our Brains programme has ethics approval from the Sydney South West Area Health Service (RPAH Zone) and The University of Sydney.

Who Funds Us?
This program is supported by the Australian Federal Government and the New South Wales State Government, the US Government under the National Institutes of Health (NIAAA grant AA012725-04), the University of Sydney and the Sydney South West Area Health Service.  The programme is operated under the guidance of Professor Clive Harper.

How does Using Our Brains Work?
There is a great need to study human brain tissue and this is why Using Our Brains’ sole function is to collect, and store tissue ready for distribution to leading neuroscience researchers. By building a database of willing donors, we are developing a resource of well-charecterised tissue that offers unique opportunities for medical research.