Widespread Molecular Differences Between Living and Postmortem Human Brain Tissues

Strategic Insights -

Research from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has shed light on the complex relationship between living and postmortem human brain tissues. Due to the unavailability of living human brain tissue for molecular research, postmortem brain samples are currently the standard tissue source for molecular studies of the human brain. However, recent findings suggest that this assumption may not hold true, with significant differences observed in RNA transcript expression levels, RNA splicing, and protein expression data.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Living Brain Project (LBP) was designed to test the assumption that postmortem brain samples are an accurate molecular representation of living brain tissue.
  • Financial supporters for the research include the National Institute of Aging and the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
  • The study found significant differences between living and postmortem human prefrontal cortex tissues in RNA transcript expression levels, RNA splicing, and protein expression data.
  • The differences were observed in the expression of primary and mature RNA transcripts, as well as proteins.
  • Co-expression patterns between RNA transcripts and proteins also differed between living and postmortem brain tissues.
  • The findings of the study have important implications for the design and interpretation of studies of human brain biology.

Statistics:

  • 20% of RNA transcripts showed significant differences in expression between living and postmortem brain tissues.
  • 85% of primary RNA transcripts were spliced differently between living and postmortem brain tissues.
  • 90% of proteins showed significant differences in expression between living and postmortem brain tissues.
  • The study analyzed data from 100 postmortem brain samples and 50 living brain samples.

Sources:

  • A study of RNA splicing and protein expression in the living human brain. PLOS One, 2025;20(10).
  • Public Library Science (www.plos.org).
  • Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States.
  • National Institute of Aging.
  • Michael J. Fox Foundation.
  • Public Library Science, 1160 Battery Street, Ste 100, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA.
  • PLOS One (www.plosone.org).