Virtual Brain Cutting

Join a Virtual Brain Cutting Session tailor-made for health science students and research teams. 

Explore the depths of neurodegenerative diseases:

Delve into the intricate world of neuroanatomy and neurodegenerative diseases with a focus on conditions like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease/Lewy body disease, ALS, and more. These live dissections give you an experience of the brain no textbook can recapitulate and enhance your understanding of these critical medical phenomena.

Engage in real-time learning:

Unlike recorded lectures, our sessions offer unparalleled interaction. Ask questions as we dissect. Experience the advantage of live feedback, ensuring a dynamic and engaging learning environment.

Close-ups and in-depth insights:

Gain a better understanding of neuroanatomy, neurological disorders, and clinical-neuropathological correlations.

Accessible to health science students and research teams:

Our faculty are experts in neurodegenerative disease and other disorders of the brain, enjoy engaging with diverse populations, and they are excited to increase accessibility to learning opportunities from North America’s largest trauma brain bank.

Virtual Brain Cutting Session:

Overview

In 2020, Senior Neuropathology Research Fellow, Ray Nicks, launched a series of virtual brain cutting outreach initiatives. Now, to increase educational access for a more diverse audience, we are further extending this unique learning opportunity. Whether you are an undergraduate health science student, medical student, resident, fellow, researcher, or have an interest in this career path, our Virtual Brain Cutting Sessions provide an immersive and educational experience like no other. 

Inquire about a Virtual Brain Cutting

Interested in bringing a Virtual Brain Cutting to your school or organization? Please submit an inquiry using the survey below. We will then reach out to the appointed contact person to discuss scheduling. Although we cannot provide these opportunities to everyone that inquires, our goal is to continue the growth of this educational initiative.

FAQ 

Who are Virtual Brain Cuttings available to?

While we cannot accommodate everyone who would like to attend a Virtual Brain Cutting, we aim to bring these learning opportunities to a variety of research facilities and educational institutions. These sessions work best with groups, like a class, a group of medical students, a research team, pre-med club, or other student organization.

What happens after I submit an Inquiry Form?

Once you send your Inquiry Form, it will be reviewed, and a member of our team will contact you to further discuss your inquiry.

**Due to the high volume of requests, there is a screening process as we cannot accommodate everyone.

Are we allowed to ask questions?

Absolutely. Questions are welcome and encouraged during these sessions. We understand that this is a unique learning opportunity and want to make the most of it for your group. This is the kind of experience that no textbook can recapitulate, and questions help make the experience more informative for your group.

Can we take pictures or record the Virtual Brain Cutting?

No. At this time, we ask that you do not record or take any photos during our demonstrations. It is an honor and a privilege to study these brains, and it is of great importance to us that we respect the privacy of our brain donors and their families.

I am really interested in a specific disease or region of the brain. Can we go into detail about it during a Virtual Brain Cutting?

If there is a specific disease or pathology you would like to learn more about or have highlighted in your brain cutting session, please let us know beforehand so we can tailor your session. We will do our best to incorporate this into our teaching, but cannot guarantee that the case we look at will be a good representation of your specific interest.

Is there a cost associated with Virtual Brain Cutting Sessions?

To make this learning opportunity as accessible as possible, there is no charge for Virtual Brain Cuttings. However, our operation depends on donations. Donations from those who are able are greatly appreciated and help keep educational programs like this running.

Our Team

Donations

If you enjoyed your experience and would like to support our work, please consider donating to our research below.