Information for researchers

The SWDBB holds brain tissue from over 1400 individuals who donated their brains in strict accordance with ethically approved procedures. Each donation has been examined by a neuropathologist and given a final diagnosis according to international guidelines.

The SWDBB is currently the largest participating brain bank in the National Brains for Dementia Research (BDR) project and Lead Centre.

Samples available include frozen tissue, ‘wet’ formalin-fixed tissue, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections, post-mortem ventricular cerebrospinal fluid, homogenates, DNA and RNA. Each case has demographic, clinical and systematically collected neuropathological information available (including cognitive assessment data where available). A subset of cases has associated biochemical and genetic data, e.g. APOE genotype, SNPs, genomics. Pre-mortem bloods and post-mortem brain fibroblast cell lines via our participation in BDR.

Our project to digitise the entire medical records of all our brain donors was completed in November 2023. The returned data and electronic records allow for more rapid and detailed retrieval of clinical information on donors. Unlocking this valuable clinical data provides significant added value to SWDBB-tissue research studies, greatly increasing the quality of the research findings and offering more opportunities to explore other areas of research interest.

Information related to all brain donations held by the SWDBB is uploaded to the UK Brain Bank Network (UKBBN) database. The UKBBN supply tissue samples to academic and industry researchers in the UK and internationally. All brain banks in the network have approval to provide tissue samples for research projects and pilot studies. Approval is based on scientific merit and also takes into account ethical issues (if peer review and ethics approval has not already been obtained). Researchers can search the database for potential cohorts. If you don't already have an account you can register here.

Potential applicants are advised to make informal enquires to the SWDBB manager to discuss the likely availability of tissue that might be requested and in turn the most appropriate way to apply.

In line with attempts to achieve a financially sustainable future for brain banking, the UK Brain Bank Network (UKBBN) and associated charities use a partial cost recovery scheme for the provision of tissue. The tariffs are standardised and can be found as follows: Tariffs for brain tissue :: UK Brain Banks Network.