Alzheimer’s and Brain Autopsies

A recent survey of Denver Metro Area hospitals showed many were willing to perform autopsies for past patients as well as those who died in the hospital. In all cases the primary physician was the key to arranging the procedures.

Costs for autopsy vary for each facility. The fees range from no charge for hospital in-patients to $500 - $1000 for outpatients for brain autopsy only. The following steps should be taken to prearrange a brain autopsy:

Involve principal family members in the decision making process.
Contact the attending physician and discuss the intention of the family to have a brain autopsy at time of death.
State your request for an autopsy in writing and provide copies to your physician, care center and/or nursing home. Ask that it be placed in the patient’s medical record.
Work with the primary physician to determine the procedure at time of death – where the autopsy will be performed and the procedure.
All states require a signed autopsy permit. Permit forms are available from your hospital or the pathologist selected for the procedure. Sign, but do not date the consent form, and have it placed in the patient’s medical record. You may also wish to keep a copy.
It is advisable to also plan with the funeral director that the body is not to be embalmed before brain removal.
If the brain tissue is to be donated for research, this procedure also needs to be discussed in advance with the primary physician and pathologist selected to perform the autopsy. The family needs to sign an additional consent form stating the brain tissue is to be sent to the National Brain Bank. (As of this writing the National AD Autopsy and Brain Bank at the University of California, San Diego (619) 534-6858 is in need of more tissue. Dr. George G. Glenner, who heads this research project is trying to find a definitive diagnosis for AD and each brain is tested for this purpose.) There is a $55-$65 fee for shipping the tissue Federal Express as they must receive it within 24 hours.
Families can expect a written report after the autopsy is performed. Local reports generally require 60-90 days for completion. The report from the pathologist who will do the National Brain Bank may take four-six months.