DoD/USU Brain Tissue Repository
Understanding the
Invisible Wound
“We shall not abandon our wounded warriors, no matter where they may be – it is here where our fallen heroes continue to serve their Country.”
Our Mission
The U.S. Department of Defense established the DoD/USU Brain Tissue Repository to advance traumatic brain injury (TBI) research.
Our mission is to better understand the effects of traumatic brain injury and promote overall brain health of the warfighter. Using the best science, we support our service members and their families to help care for our military personnel after a head injury.
Why Research Traumatic Brain Injury?
More than 400,000 service members have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. The damage from these injuries may affect their ability to hold a job, re-enter the community, and connect with family.
Research is important so we can work toward preventing, diagnosing, and treating this invisible wound.
Supporting Military Families
Hear how we helped one family deal with grief around the loss of their son.
The Gift of Brain Tissue Donation
Service members with or without a traumatic brain injury can sign up to donate their brain upon death to the Brain Tissue Repository. The next of kin, upon the death of the service member, can also gift their loved one’s brain to the Brain Tissue Repository.
The process is simple, compassionate, and caring.
“A significant emotional burden was lifted from our hearts with this new knowledge about his invisible injuries, coupled with the realization that his brain donation was allowing this Navy SEAL medic to continue looking out for his boys.”
Father of a Navy SEAL
Learn about Dr. Perl and his Team
