Brain Donation

Brain Donation

Ataxia UK is occasionally asked about brain donations for research purposes once an individual with ataxia has passed away. Studies using donated samples of the brain and spinal cord are important in furthering researchers understanding of ataxia, and it also helps them to develop treatments.

The UK Brain Banks Network supplies tissue samples to academic and industry researchers in the UK and abroad. There are over 100 brains in the network from donors who had an ataxia, or who had ataxia caused by another condition (last checked May 2022).

If you are interested in this there are a number of Brain Banks around the UK that you can contact for further information. See the Human Tissue Authority website for further details.