Company Press Release
SOURCE: National Parkinson Foundation, Inc.
One of Florida's Oldest Residents Passes Away at 106; Her Ageless Brain
May Help Researchers Unlock the Mysteries of Parkinson's Disease, Says
National Parkinson Foundation
MIAMI, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- When Florence Rifenburgh died on Sunday,
September 13, her healthy 106-year-old brain became what researchers at
the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) & University of Miami (UM) Brain
Endowment Bank believe is their oldest donated brain. At a sprightly age
of 103, Florence Rifenburgh acknowledged that she was indeed unique and
made the decision to help others. Rifenburgh donated her brain to the
NPF/UM Brain Endowment Bank for the purpose of assisting researchers in
their efforts to unlock the mysteries of various neurological disorders
including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington disease.
``You cannot assign a value to the donation of a brain. Florence
Rifenburgh's gift will impact the course of science and affect
generations to come,'' stated Deborah Mash, Director of the NPF/UM Brain
Endowment Bank and recipient of the NPF/Jeanne Levey Parkinson Research
Chair. ``The donation of a control brain is the most altruistic gift;
the opportunity to examine a razor sharp brain in its tenth decade of
life will shed light and provide clues for all those who suffer from
degenerative disorders,'' she added.
Brain Bank officials keep extensive records on all brain donors.
Information on the donors' medical and family history as well as
lifestyle choices, i.e. drinking, eating habits, etc. are documented.
This information is crucial to understanding why brains age and
degenerate at different paces.
The NPF/UM Brain Endowment Bank is one of three national centers and the
only center specializing in Parkinson's disease. Rifenburgh's brain and
hundreds of others donated to the Bank since its establishment in
1986 are shared with researchers around the world for study.
Under the direction of renowned Parkinson's disease researcher, Dr.
Deborah Mash, the Bank has received and sectioned 600 brains and has an
additional 800 pledged brains pending. The donor base includes both
healthy and diseased brains which enables researchers to compare the
difference between the two. Once collected, brain tissue is frozen for
in-house research initiatives as well as for investigators throughout
the world. Brain Bank scientists are currently researching the effects
of aging on the brain. Data on brains of various ages and stages of
disease are being compared to determine what causes the deterioration of
cells. According to Brain Bank officials, one healthy brain can help
study five or six different brain disorders.
Rifenburgh is survived by her 98-year-old sister, an only daughter,
three grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and two great-great
grandchildren.
Copyright © 1998 PRNewswire.
--
Judith Richards, London, Ontario, Canada
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