Health

Brains needed to find a cure for Parkinson's disease

by Suranee | April 20, 2009 at 12:57 am

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The Parkinson's Disease Society has set up a donor registry for people to donate their brains after death to help find a cure for Parkinson's disease.

People are being urged to donate their brains after death to help find a cure for Parkinson's disease.

Around 1,000 people have already signed up to a donor register run by the Parkinson's Disease Society but the charity hopes to double this number by the end of the year.

Around one in 500 people is affected by the condition and scientists need more brains to help find a cure.

Healthy people as well as those with Parkinson's are encouraged to donate their brains. Celebrities donating their brains after death include Jane Asher, who is president of the Parkinson's Disease Society, Jeremy Paxman and John Stapleton.

Those with Parkinson's are encouraged to donate but experts also need brains from healthy people so they can compare their findings.

Celebrities who have pledged their brains after death include Jane Asher, who is president of the Parkinson's Disease Society, Jeremy Paxman and John Stapleton.

Muhammad Ali and actor Michael J Fox are famous sufferers of the disease. A survey done by the Parkinson's Disease Society found 27% of people have not thought about donating their brain and only 7% were comfortable with the idea.

63% of the people said that they didn't mind donating a heart whereas 65% said they were okay with the idea of donating a kidney.

Famous sufferers of the disease include boxing legend Muhammad Ali and actor Michael J Fox.

A new poll carried out for the Parkinson's Disease Society found 27% of people have not thought about donating their brain and only 7% were comfortable with the idea.

Meanwhile, 63% said they were okay with donating a heart and 65% said they were fine about donating a kidney.

The poll carried out also revealed that one in three people (29%) know someone affected by Parkinson's and 10,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson's in the UK every year plus one in 20 are under the age of 40.

The survey also revealed one in three people (29%) know someone affected by Parkinson's.

Every year, around 10,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson's in the UK and one in 20 are under the age of 40.

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itslefty

at 01:15 on April 20th, 2009

It's a no brainer. Unfortunately I won't be donating my brain, I don't know where I'll be going when I die. I may need it myself.

Suranee

at 07:00 on April 20th, 2009

I don't mind donating my brain if it's to help save lives. I'm not so concerned about my brain when I die, but only where my soul will end up.

Mrsmission4

at 11:36 on April 20th, 2009

So where was your soul before you were born? Being dead is the same as before you were born ......nothing,zero,zilch.....so make the best you can of your time cos its a one time only life!!!

Suranee

at 17:16 on April 20th, 2009

This would depend on one's religious beliefs.

But you're absolutely right, we must make the best of our time on earth while we are here because it's "a one time life only." But if one believes in rebirth, the birth cycle does not end.

sara star

at 05:46 on April 20th, 2009

Can't take our brains with us.

itslefty

at 05:48 on April 20th, 2009

Who says that?

Who knows for sure?

Suranee

at 07:09 on April 20th, 2009

I never believed we can either Sara.

But I think it would be a great idea if there was some research done on this, that is if there has not been any research done on this theory before.

Yuliya Talmazan

at 11:22 on April 20th, 2009

I never knew that brain donor registry even existed.

Suranee

at 17:11 on April 20th, 2009

I didn't either until I came across this story. I think it's a good idea though.

Mrsmission4

at 11:32 on April 20th, 2009

When youre dead youre dead simple as that. They can have my brain & research away....selfish not to try to help future generations combat this terrible condition just because you mistakenly and naively think theres something after death.

itslefty

at 12:22 on April 20th, 2009

If royalty were prepared to donate their body parts to science to help future generations then, I might just re think my personal stance and offer to donate, but I'll wait for the queen to make the first gesture.