Searchable Online Database for MRC UK Brain Banks Network
Research type
Research Database
Full title
Database for MRC UK Brain Banks Network
IRAS ID
111421
Contact name
James W Ironside
Contact email
Research summary
Searchable Online Database for MRC UK Brain Banks Network
REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
13/WS/0148
Date of REC Opinion
12 Jul 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion
Data collection arrangements
This application proposes to establish a database containing information on brain tissue samples that are available for research across the UK to researchers working on important diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis. The database will be linked to a website that researchers can apply to use to find out which samples are available that meet their requirements for scientific research and how they can access these samples. In the past, information of this type was only available in the 10 individual brain banks across the UK and researchers indicated that they would find a single access point much easier to operate, saving time and helping their research to move forward more quickly. The data we will store also includes a limited amount of data on individual tissue donors, providing enough information for researchers to judge whether or not the tissue samples are suitable for their purposes. Further information will be available if required on any tissue sample from the individual brain banks who store the samples, and the researchers can be put in touch with them as required.
Research programme
Diseases affecting the brain and nervous system now constitute a national priority for research and care, particularly conditions causing dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. In order to help researchers find the tissue samples they require for this research from both patients suffering from these diseases and from normal individuals who do not have this disease, the Medical Research Council has set up a network of Brain Banks and the tissue samples available for research will be included in a searchable database. In the past, work on human tissue samples has allowed improvements in our understanding of these complex diseases and some of these have resulted in treatments for both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. We hope that this database will help further discoveries to be made which will lead to more effective treatments for these devastating disorders.
Research database title
Searchable Online Database for MRC UK Brain Banks Network
Establishment organisation
University of Edinburgh
Establishment organisation address
Old College
South Bridge
Edinburgh
EH8 9YL