Newcastle Brain Tissue Resource
Sponsoring organization
Newcastle University Institute for Ageing and Health Brain Tissue Resource
Repository website
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/iah/about/facilities/nbtr/
Primary contact
Debbie Lett (NBTR Manager)
Newcastle Brain Tissue Resource
Institute for Ageing and Health
Newcastle University
Campus for Ageing and Vitality
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 5PL
United Kingdom
Tel 0191-248-1231
Sample types available
The Newcastle Brain Tissue Resource does not currently collect multiple sclerosis samples but intends to at a future date.
Human brain tissue, both fixed and frozen, which has been donated for research purposes. The majority of donors are recruited from among those diagnosed with diseases such as dementia with Lewy bodies, Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, vascular dementia/stroke, or metabolic/mitochondrial disease. NBTR has some control tissue, but it is in high demand.
Sample-processing information
In most cases, one hemisphere is formalin-fixed and embedded in paraffin wax blocks and the other is sectioned coronally and snap-frozen at –80°C.
Data available for each sample
Age
Sex
Diagnosis
Postmortem delay
Further clinical information available on some cases by negotiation.
Quantity of available samples
Large collection of samples from cases of Lewy body dementia, Parkinson disease dementia, Alzheimer disease, vascular dementia, and controls. Some neurological cases including motor neuron disease. Samples have been collected over a long period of time, and availability varies depending on tissue requested. Samples are collected postmortem with full research consent.
Who can request samples
Researchers able to demonstrate that their proposed work is scientifically and ethically valid.
Cost
No costs for tissue as such, but reimbursement of transport and packaging costs is expected. Occasionally, there may be small charges to cover cost of preparation of samples and materials used such as slides.
How to request samples
Scientists who wish to have access to the collection can apply for a user name to browse the database of available tissue. Further information and application forms can be accessed at https://nbtr.ncl.ac.uk. For more information, contact the NBTR Manager, Debbie Lett, at d.j.lett@ncl.ac.uk.
Requirements associated with sample use
Those using NBTR samples are requested to acknowledge NBTR in any resulting publications.
Ongoing sample collection?
Yes.
Sample publications
No publications pertaining to MS or related disorders listed as of April 20, 2012.