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Brain Donation.

(15 Posts)
gramps Wed 20-Feb-13 23:36:28

Parkinson Research are asking for people who would be willing to donate their brain for research purposes. They need both healthy specimens and "Parkinson" ones; (after demise of course!) - For comparison!
The brain is divided, one half being preserved in a fluid, the other half deep frozen.
The specimens are stored in a "Library" and distributed to Research Centres through - out the world.
Interesting results are being made in Dementia ,Alzheimer,Parkinsons and other brain conditions.
But there is still a long way to go and is at an early stage!

If interested please contact "Parkinson UK" Vauxhall Bridge Rd. London. SE ?? who should forward the details to you.

This is serious and essential research!- Beneath, - -my whacky sense of humour!!

PS. I offered mine, but when they did the "light test", through my ear and the beam shone straight through, I was rejected, without an explanation!

Anne58 Thu 21-Feb-13 00:19:05

gramps lovely to see you outside of Lil's! Brought the same sense of humour with you though!

I have always been of the opinion that once I die any bits of me that might be of use to others, whether it be by organ donation for transplant, or medical research, then that's fine by me!

gramps Thu 21-Feb-13 07:37:06

Hiya Phoenix,
I do get around, and my whacky kind of humour is lying around, in various places on Gransnet 'tis to be found!
I'm off now dear Ladeey,as you can see, back to Lil's Bar for a cup of Gramps tea!!

I do have a serious side too!

vxx

glassortwo Thu 21-Feb-13 07:48:18

gramps could you do this if you are already signed up for organ donation.

Galen Thu 21-Feb-13 08:33:34

Well they can't transplant brains so I would have thought so!
Reminds me of a joke about brain transplant.
You probably all know it and I'm off to work so won't bore you

Bags Thu 21-Feb-13 08:43:59

Might it be possible to use brains for research, though, galen? I haven't become and organ donor only tonfacilitate transplants; it's so any useful body parts can be used for research too. Or so I understood.

Galen Thu 21-Feb-13 08:48:13

Don't see why not. I'm an organ doner as well.
Had to be after my late husband benefitted for about 17 years from a secondhand kidney!
It really changed our life, him having a transplant.

If any of you out there don't already,

PLEASE CARRY THE CARD and get on the register.

Movedalot Thu 21-Feb-13 10:49:22

Reminds me of when I had a strange illness a couple of years ago and one of the tests was a brain scan. When I was told I had a 'very tight brain' I asked if that was good, it is. DH then told the consultant 'one lady user only, very little used' I responded that the brain was like any other muscle, the more you used it the tighter it got!

gramps Thu 21-Feb-13 11:49:43

Hi Glass,
It makes no difference whether or not you already are a donor. The paper work is separate.

Mishap Thu 21-Feb-13 11:53:01

Thanks for posting this gramps. My OH has PD and I will draw his attention to this.

absent Thu 21-Feb-13 11:56:03

Why would you say that Movedalot? I don't understand what you mean. The brain isn't at all like a muscle.

Movedalot Thu 21-Feb-13 12:41:31

Sense of humour alert absent

Lilygran Thu 21-Feb-13 13:15:13

You can agree to 'any part of my body to be used' I think it is, on the organ donor card or website. Should cover brains. I thought this thread was about getting, not giving.

gramps Thu 21-Feb-13 14:55:41

Hi Lilygran,
I'm not sure about brain coming with the general category of organ donations
but to donate a brain for research purposes it needs a specific statement!
Hope this answers your query.

Humbertbear Thu 21-Feb-13 19:25:30

My sister has donated her body to medical research and her brain to a research programme such as this. I am 'custodian' of her brain and have to phone them when she dies. She said she chose me as I won't be upset!
I have to admit I sometimes feel like asking them to come and get it now!