Britain’s Human Tissue Authority is trying to raise awareness of the need for donated brains to research cures for dementia-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Initially, researchers believed the shortage of donated brains was a result of people being uncomfortable with the thought of it. However, following a recent outreach program, they are now convinced the issue is one of education and awareness.
One thing is clear and that is the need. Dr. Payam Rezaie told the BBC recently that the Open University’s Neuropathology Research Lab only had 20 brains for research, where more than a hundred are needed. He labeled those numbers “drastically awful.”
Scientists need brains of disease sufferers and healthy individuals as well, and the head of England’s Human Tissue Authority, that oversees donations, said it is more difficult to find healthy donors.
Interestingly, a recent “brain bank” established in Scotland by the Tissue Authority showed that making people aware of the problem is the key to solving it. When officials approached friends or relatives of potential doners who were required to have an autopsy to verify cause of death, more than 90 percent authorized the donation.
Oddly enough, the effort has been hampered somewhat by the country’s organ donor program. The researchers say many who have signed donor cards to donate organs upon their death believe that covers the brain. It doesn’t. Donor cards cover organs donated for transplant only, not research.
For immediate action, Britain’s Medical Research Council is coordinating the data gathered by all brain banks nationally.
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