Increase in brain donations needed in the search for a cure for dementia

(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers at the Newcastle brain bank are calling on people to pledge to donate their brains upon their death to help with vital dementia research.

The Brains for Dementia research brain bank at Newcastle University is part of a £2 million brain bank network and has the backing of former home Secretary, David Blunkett MP. His commitment comes as scientists suggest a lack of awareness of the importance of donation is contributing to a nationwide shortage of brains essential for dementia research.

The Brains for Dementia research brain bank is coordinated by King’s College London and funded by Alzheimer’s Society and the Alzheimer’s Research Trust. It is being launched on October 13th to provide brains for research that are essential for the development of an eventual cure and treatments for all types of dementia.

However, a survey commissioned for the launch found that only 30% of people in the North East of England were aware it was possible to donate their brains after death for dementia research. This compared to 90% who knew of the option to donate their heart for transplant. The survey which was carried out by YouGov, covered an area from North Northumberland to Teesside (ie the Tyne Tees ITV television area).

Scientists warn this lack of awareness has contributed to a severe shortage of suitable brains. This shortage is resulting in major delays in the search for a cure or treatments for dementia as it limits the opportunity for high quality research. The need for effective treatments has never been greater - in less than 20 years nearly a million people in the UK will be living with dementia.

Dr Chris Morris from Newcastle University’s Newcastle Brain Tissue Resource which is part of the Brains for Dementia Research bank says, “It is vitally important that we increase awareness of the continuing need for brain donation.
“Brains generously pledged for donation in advance will provide the very best resource for scientists as we are then able to carry out regular assessments of the person prior to the donation. Brains from people without dementia are particularly important as they help us work out the differences between healthy older people and people with dementia.

“Much of what we know about the brain, how it works and the treatments we currently have for dementia come from research on donated brain tissue. Brains for Dementia Research aims to set a gold standard for dementia research and ultimately find a cure.”

Donating "to help future generations"

Roland Boyes, the former MP for Houghton and Washington and former Durham MEP, died of Alzheimer’s. His wife Pat Boyes who lives in Peterlee says, “It’s so vital that we support research into dementia to help future generations be rid of this terrible disease.

“I’m donating my brain to the brain bank and I’m proud that my legacy could help researchers to make the treatment breakthrough we so urgently need. I’ve visited the brain bank and seen that everyone is treated with great respect by the scientists and is enormously valuable in the fight against dementia.”

The poll also revealed some confusion about how to donate body parts for research. More than two thirds of people surveyed in the North East believed that joining the NHS Organ Donor Register means a person has given consent for donated body parts to be used for medical research. However the register only relates to organs to be used for transplants. There is currently no similar scheme for donation for medical research and people are currently required to contact the individual research centres. Brains for Dementia Research hopes to ensure the process of brain donation is as straightforward as possible and handled in a sensitive manner.
Furthermore, a lack of knowledge was found to be preventing people pledging to donate their brains. Although a third of people asked said they would consider donating their brain to dementia research, a third said they didn’t know enough to make a decision about donating.

David Blunkett MP pledges to donate

Former Home Secretary, David Blunkett MP has today pledged to become a donor to Brains for Dementia Research. Rt Hon David Blunkett MP said, ‘I’ve pledged my brain tissue for research as I know how vital it is to defeat dementia. As Vice President of Alzheimer’s Society I have seen first-hand the devastating impact of this condition that affects 700,000 people in the UK. I hope to be using my brain for a good while yet, but I’m pleased to know that it may help people in the future when I no longer have need of it.’

Brains for Dementia Research has centres in Newcastle, Cardiff, London, Manchester and Oxford. As well as being an organ donation scheme, it also regularly monitors participants after they have pledged to donate their brains prior to donation. This enables researchers to look for brain changes in relation to particular symptoms of dementia.

People over 65 who are interested in contributing to dementia research by donating their brain should visit www.BrainsForDementiaResearch.org.uk

Provided by Newcastle University