Alzheimer's research hit by lack of brains

Published on Tuesday 6 January 2009 20:49

A SHORTAGE of donated human brains is hampering research into conditions such as Alzheimer's and autism.

Scientists said that studies into the causes of the conditions could be hindered unless more brains were made available for medical research.

Professor Paul Francis, from King's College London, said it was necessary for potential donors with healthy brains, as well as those suffering from either Alzheimer's or autism, to come forward.

"There's a great opportunity to facilitate important research to discover cures and treatments which would go unfulfilled if we don't increase the number of brains available for research," he said.

There are about 10,000 brains being dissected for scientific research in the UK, but the problem facing academics is that donors are not coming forward with fresh organs.

There are currently only 20 brains in the UK that can be used to research autism, and scientists want that number to reach 800.

Meanwhile, only 30 brains can be used at Oxford University to research Alzheimer's. Academics looking to understand the disease better say they want some 300 people a year to donate their brains to help find cures and treatments.

There is also a shortage of healthy tissue samples to compare results against, with only about 10 per cent of those 10,000 organs from healthy donors. Researchers say that ideally this figure would be 33 per cent.

Professor Margaret Esiri, of Oxford University, believes many people who would donate other organs feel cautious about giving their brain.

"I think many people are aware that their brain is the basis for their mind and their self," she said.

"I think it used to be other parts of the body we thought to be important, but now people realise that their brain is the crucial thing that makes them their selves."