The Netherlands Brain Bank
The Netherlands Brain Bank (NBB) is a non-profit organization that collects human brain tissue of donors with a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders, but also of non-diseased donors. This brain tissue, together with an anonymized summary of a donor’s medical record, is sent to scientific researchers worldwide, with the ultimate aim of increasing our understanding of the human brain and to develop therapies for neurological and psychiatric diseases.
Brain samples for scientific research
The human brain tissue is of excellent quality through rapid autopsy procedures with short post-mortem delays of approximately three to ten hours. The tissue samples are highly suitable for the newest high-resolution molecular research techniques. Researchers affiliated with universities, other non-profit organizations, and pharmaceutical companies worldwide can apply for samples under the NBB’s open access policy. A scientific committee reviews all applications based on scientific quality and feasibility.
About the NBB
The latest news
Largest MS brain cohort reveals biological differences
06-07-2026
Why does multiple sclerosis progress quickly in some people, while others remain s...
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Foamy microglia link oxylipins to disease progression in multiple sclerosis
15-06-2026
In multiple sclerosis, immune activity in the brain and spinal cord can damage the...
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Queen Máxima at the fortieth anniversary of the Netherlands Brain Bank
18-10-2025
Koningin Máxima visited the Netherlands Brain Bank for its 40th anniversary, raisi...
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New biomarker and therapeutic target identified for MS
19-06-2025
Researchers have discovered a new type of scar tissue in the brains of people
wit...
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Read more NBB-Psy and NBB-MS
NBB-Psy and NBB-MS are the NBB's programs specifically for psychiatric diagnoses and multiple sclerosis.
Read more
Visit e-NBB e-NBB
With the e-NBB, researchers can browse the brain sample database and make their own selection.
Visit e-NBB