Brain donation
With the rise in brain diseases and disorders, research into these conditions is vital for understanding and finding new treatments. To support this research, brain tissue from both affected and unaffected individuals (known as ‘control tissues’) is essential. These donations are crucial in developing better treatments and potentially finding cures for diseases such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.
How to donate your brain for research
A list of human tissue banks which accept brain and spinal tissue for research is available below. Brain banking needs to take place as soon as possible after death, and procedures may very by brain bank.
A person may consent to donate their tissue for research, or if there is no record of their wishes, consent can be obtained from a nominated representative or someone in a qualifying relationship at the time of their death.
Recording a wish to donate in a Will is not recommended as the reading may occur too late. Instead, contact the chosen brain bank to make appropriate arrangements in advance.
Donating both brain and organs
It is possible to donate both the brain and spinal cord for research and be an organ donor. This requires discussion with the individual brain bank. Ensure that those closest to you are aware of your wishes.
Further information on organ donation can be found on the NHS Blood and Transplant website: www.organdonation.nhs.uk.
Acceptance of donations
Brain banks may not accept all donations due to certain medical conditions or if the death is referred to a Coroner. Brain and spinal cord tissue must usually be collected shortly after death, which can sometimes be a constraint. Additionally, if the body is donated to a medical school for anatomical examination, brain and spinal cord donation is not possible.
Funeral or memorial services
Brain and spinal cord donation will not usually affect plans for a funeral, cremation or burial. For more information on the timeframes for donation, contact the brain bank directly.
Epilepsy Society Brain and Tissue Bank
University College London
Institute of Neurology
Department of Neuropathology
London
WC1N 3BG
Contact: Dr Alyma Somani
T 0203 448 4009
F 0203 448 4486
E epilepsybrainbank@ucl.ac.uk
W www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/how-become-donor
Wolfson Neuroscience Laboratories
Imperial College Faculty of Medicine
Hammersmith Hospital Campus
Burlington Danes Building
160 Du Cane Road
London W12 0NN
Contact: Dr George Gveric
T 020 7594 9732
F 020 7594 9733
E pdbank@imperial.ac.uk
Wolfson Neuroscience Laboratories
Imperial College Faculty of Medicine
Hammersmith Hospital Campus
Burlington Danes Building
160 Du Cane Road
London W12 0NN
Contact: Dr George Gveric
T 020 7594 9734
F 020 7594 9735
E ukmstissuebank@imperial.ac.uk
Oxford Brain Bank Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences
Level 1, West Wing
John Radcliffe Hospital
West wing, Level 6
Oxford OX3 9DU
Contact: Prof Laura Parkkinen
T +44 (0)1865 234204 (Includes out-of-hours message service)
E brainbank@ndcn.ox.ac.uk
University of Bristol
Level 1, Learning & Research
Southmead Hospital
Bristol, BS10 5NB
Contact: Laura Palmer
T 0117 414 7821
E laura.e.palmer@bristol.ac.uk
UCL Institute of Neurology
Institute of Neurology
1 Wakefield Street
London WC1N 3BG
Contact: Lynn Haddon
T 020 7837 8370
F 020 7278 4993
E l.haddon@ucl.ac.uk
Regional Neuropatholgy Service
The Royal Victoria Hospital
Grosvenor Road
Belfast BT12 6BA
Contact: Dr Brian Herron
T 028 9063 2319
E brian.herron@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Newcastle Brain Tissue Resource
Institute for Ageing and Health
Newcastle University
Campus for Ageing and Vitality
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 5PL
Contact: Debbie Lett
T: 0191 208 1231
E nbtr@ncl.ac.uk
Cerebral Function Unit
Greater Manchester Neuroscience Centre
Hope Hospital
Stott Lane
Salford
M6 8HD
Contact: Stephen Chew-Graham
T 0161 789 7373 (ext 2561)
E brainbank@manchester.ac.uk
Institute of Psychiatry
Box PO65
King's College London
De Crespigny Park
London SE5 8AF
Contact: Dr Claire Troakes
T 020 7848 0290 (Office hours)
F 020 7848 0275
E brain.bank@kcl.ac.uk
W https://www.kcl.ac.uk/neuroscience/facilities/brain-bank
Institute of Psychological Medicine & Clinical Neuroscience
Hadyn Ellis Building
Maindy Road
Cathays
Cardiff
CF24 4HQ
Contact: Dr Rebecca Sims
T 0292 068 8042
E ADResearch@cardiff.ac.uk
The Department of Neuropathology coordinates brain donation in Wales. If you would like to make a brain donation for medical research please use the contact details above.
Cambridge Brain Bank
Box 235
Level 5 Pathology Laboratory block
Addenbrooke’s Hospital
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
Contact:
Dr Kieren Allinson – Clinical lead
Maggie Luff – Operations Manager
T 01223 217336
E add-tr.cambridgebrainbank@nhs.net
Brains for Dementia Research Coordinating Centre Office
Ground Floor, Edwardson Building
Newcastle University
Institute of Neuroscience
Campus for Ageing and Vitality
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NE4 5PL
Contact: Nicky Barnett - BDR Senior Manager
T 0191 208 2109
E BDR.Coordinatingcentre@ncl.ac.uk
W www.brainsfordementiaresearch.org.uk