The Alzheimer Scotland Brain Tissue Bank relaunch

On 12 May, the Alzheimer Scotland Brain Tissue Bank was officially relaunched at the UK Dementia Research Institute, hosted in Professor Tara Spires-Jones’ lab at the University of Edinburgh. The event celebrated a renewed partnership between the University of Edinburgh, the NHS Research Scotland Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network, and Alzheimer Scotland, all of which are committed to advancing dementia research through collaboration.

The key speakers were Professor Tara Spires-Jones, Professor Colin Smith, Dr Tom Russ, and Henry Simmons who each highlighted the vital role of teamwork and shared vision in the success of the Alzheimer Scotland Brain Tissue Bank. Their message was clear: breakthroughs in dementia research depend not only on science, but on strong partnerships and generous donors.

The Scottish Dementia Research Consortium (SDRC) was delighted to attend the relaunch and take part in a behind-the-scenes tour of the lab. Jane Tulloch, lab manager, guided us through the facilities, showcasing some of the highly specialised equipment used in the research process. It was a great opportunity to meet members of the team and learn more about how donated brain tissue is used in neurological research.

Much of what we now understand about Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of dementia, has been made possible by studying the brains of those who chose to donate after death. The process of preparing brain tissue for research is intricate: neuropathologists like Professor Colin Smith collect small samples, which are then fixed, dehydrated, embedded in resin, and sliced into ultra-thin sections using a diamond knife. These preparations allow researchers to examine the brain at an astonishingly detailed level, right down to individual synapses.

This ability to study human synapses post-mortem is central to the work of Professor Spires-Jones’ lab. Their research into how tau proteins move through the brain is only possible thanks to brain tissue donations. The level of precision and care in this work is remarkable. Few labs in the world can do what this team does.

The Alzheimer Scotland Brain Tissue Bank continues to accept donations from individuals diagnosed with dementia. These donations are invaluable to researchers working today and will be just as vital for discoveries yet to come.

If you’d like to learn more about brain tissue donation, you can call Alzheimer Scotland’s Freephone 24-hour dementia helpline on 0808 808 3000.