The UK Multiple Sclerosis Tissue Bank
The varied symptoms experienced by people living with multiple sclerosis result from damage taking place within their brain and spinal cord. Research carried out on this tissue is therefore essential if we are to better understand the nature of this damage and, if we are to discover even more effective treatments for this condition.
Inflammation
The UK Multiple Sclerosis Tissue Bank is a facility that allows people with MS and people without the condition to donate, after their death, their brain and spinal cord. The Tissue Bank collects these tissues, processes and preserves them and, makes samples available for use in MS research.
Demyelination
As of December 2006, the Tissue Bank has provided tissue samples to 134 research projects that are being carried out across the world. These studies cover the whole spectrum of MS research and fall into four broad categories. Those aimed at:
- finding ways to diagnose the condition more accurately
- identifying the causes and mechanisms responsible for damage to the brain and spinal cord
- developing strategies for stopping further damage
- discovering factors that promote the repair of already damaged tissue.
Axon Damage
The Tissue Bank was set-up at the Charing Cross Hospital Campus of Imperial College in 1998. In 9 years, over 3,000 people have registered on its donor scheme (2,332 living with MS and 822 without the condition); in this time the Bank has been in the privileged position of fulfilling the last wishes of 350 of its donors (312 of whom had had MS). Tissue from approximately 70% of these donors has already been used in research; moreover, the way in which the brain and spinal cord are processed means that a number of different research projects can be supplied with tissue samples from a single donation.
For an immediate response from the Tissue Bank’s on call team leave a message on their 24-hour Emergency Donor Line 07 659 132 045
Please note this number replaced their old number (07 693 300 300) in January 2005.
Remyelination
The UK Multiple Sclerosis Tissue Bank is wholly funded by the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Tell us your views!
Whether or not you have considered tissue donation, please spend a few minutes completing this questionnaire.
The results will inform a talk to be given about the views of those with and affected by MS at the Second Brain Net Europe Conference in December 2008.
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Download the questionnaire and return by email or post to MS Society, 372 Edgware Rd London, NW2 6ND by November 31 2008.
