Alzheimer's Legacy Planning
A gift of hope for future generations.
An educational initiative helping families plan and document brain donation wishes — together, in their own time.
About the Initiative
A scientific legacy worth leaving.
"Finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease requires a deeper understanding of the human brain. This research is only possible through the generosity of donors and families who choose to leave a scientific legacy."
— Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center & University of Maryland Brain and Tissue Bank
The Initiative
A compassionate conversation — well before it's needed.
This initiative provides families living with Alzheimer's disease with educational resources about advance brain donation registration. Our goal is to normalise this conversation and empower families to make informed decisions in their own time, well before a crisis occurs.
A family conversation
An opportunity to discuss and document brain donation wishes together — openly and with care.
In your own time
There is no urgency. Families are empowered to consider this meaningful option on their own terms, well before a crisis occurs.
Voluntary registration of intent
Registering intent documents your wishes — never a binding commitment. You can update or withdraw at any time.
A lasting legacy
Each donation helps researchers better understand the human brain and search for treatments — a gift of hope for future generations.
Who Can Register
Who this initiative is for.
This awareness and registration initiative is focused on engaging families who meet the following criteria.
A loved one's diagnosis
Early-to-moderate Alzheimer's
For families and caregivers of individuals currently living with early-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease.
Age
Adults aged 30–75
Open to adults across this age range who wish to plan ahead and document their wishes.
Location
Boston or Baltimore
Residents living within approximately 50 miles of Boston, MA or Baltimore, MD.
Representation in Research
We particularly welcome interest from African American, Asian American, and Latino/Hispanic families, so that future treatments can work for everyone.
Register Your Intent
Choose a brain tissue repository.
Both repositories are part of the NIH NeuroBioBank network. Visit either website to learn more about their work and complete an advance registration form.
Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center
at McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
SERVING THE GREATER BOSTON AREA
The Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center is one of the NIH NeuroBioBank repositories, based at McLean Hospital. Visit their website to learn more about their work and complete an advance registration form.
Visit HBTRC WebsiteUniversity of Maryland Brain and Tissue Bank
at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
SERVING THE BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON AREA
The University of Maryland Brain and Tissue Bank is one of the NIH NeuroBioBank repositories, based at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Visit their website to learn more about their work and complete an advance registration form.
Visit UMD Brain and Tissue BankNot sure which to choose? Visit the repository closest to your home — each will guide you through their process from there.
Common Questions
What families ask.
When you register with one of the repositories, you are documenting your wishes in advance. This helps your family know your decisions and helps the repository prepare to support you when the time comes. The repository you register with will explain their process in full.
No. Registering your intent is a documentation of your wishes — it is not a binding contract. You and your family are free to change your minds, and you may contact the repository you registered with at any time to update or withdraw your registration.
The Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center at McLean Hospital serves families in the Greater Boston area, and the University of Maryland Brain and Tissue Bank serves families in the Baltimore-Washington area. Both are repositories within the NIH NeuroBioBank network — a national resource that supports brain research across the United States.
This initiative is focused on engaging adults aged 30–75 who are currently living with early-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease, along with their families and caregivers. It is open to residents living within approximately 50 miles of Boston, MA or Baltimore, MD.
The NIH NeuroBioBank is a network of repositories funded by the National Institutes of Health to provide brain tissue to qualified researchers studying neurological and psychiatric conditions, including Alzheimer's disease. The Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center and the University of Maryland Brain and Tissue Bank are both part of this network.
This awareness initiative is supported by Cure Alzheimer's Fund, in partnership with the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center and the University of Maryland Brain and Tissue Bank.
A Gift of Hope
Every family's decision matters.
By registering intent for brain donation, families can help future generations face this disease with new hope.
Choose a Repository