#24 Sally and the Brain Bank

In this very personal episode I talk with Professor Steve Gentleman, director of the Parkinson’s Brain Bank, and Dr George Gverich - Tissue Bank Manager the tissue bank manager. We talk about the unique Parkinson's Brain Bank work and also hear from my family members impacted by Parkinson’s Disease.

Key messages from guest

• The Parkinson’s UK Brain Bank conducts dedicated tissue research. Tissue collected is given to researchers all over the world.

• The ultimate aim or research is to stop progressive degenerative disease.

• In Parkinson’s Disease, the pathology in the brain can have five to six years before a patient may have any symptoms.

• Research focuses on how to treat the disease, how to stop the disease progressing and to identify the people who are developing the disorder without having any symptoms. 

• People can consent to research or medical education when donating a brain. 

• Donor forms can be obtained from the Parkinson's Brain Bank website.

• On applying to be a donor, the next of kin will also be involved and complete a consent. 

• It is possible to donate other organs and also be a brain donor, however neurological diseases is generally an exclusion factor in donation.

• Research into Parkinson’s Disease is worldwide.  

• Control donors are also valuable in research.

Resource

• Find out more about the Parkinson's Brain Bank 

• See Parkinson's Information and Resource 

• Listen to the  podcast Donating your body for medical education 

• Find out more about the Imperial College London Brain Bank

Professor Steve Gentleman - Director of the Parkinson’s UK Brain Bank

Steve Gentleman is Professor of Neuropathology in the Department of Medicine at Imperial College London. Over the past 20 years he has run an active research team investigating the pathology of neurodegenerative disease and traumatic brain injury. In more recent years he has been part of a European consortium of neuropathologists who have been working to standardise the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. Using this expertise he provides diagnostic support for the Parkinson’s UK and Multiple Sclerosis Society Tissue Banks at Imperial and is a member of the Medical Research Council Brain Bank Network management committee. In addition to his research interests Steve has key teaching roles in the faculty of Medicine.

Dr George Gverich - Tissue Bank Manager

George has been a manager of the Tissue Bank since 2008.  Before coming to Imperial he worked at the Institute of Neurology, London where he got involved with brain banking through the Institute's MS Society Tissue Bank. He was also part of a research group looking into the role of proteolytic enzymes in multiple sclerosis. George is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Tissue Bank, with a focus on tissue supply to researchers.

Find out more about my Bespoke Consultancy

• Service analysis for teams seeking to improve EoLC or prepare for CQC

• End of Life Care Education

• Lasting Power of Attorney Consultancy

• Talks and presentations

If you’d like to find out more about my work contact me.

What one thing will you do?

It would be great to share what resonated with you from this episode, what is the one thing you will do differently? Head to Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn to continue these important conversations.

Thanks to all my guests for working with me to share their knowledge, experience and stories about Advance Care Planning. I hope you enjoyed listening and have insights to take away; I love hearing your reflections on the series and look forward to reviews on Spotify where you can also subscribe to the series.

Clare

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