§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many brain banks(a) exist and (b) have existed in Northern Ireland; and where. [121606]
§ Angela SmithOne brain bank currently exists in Northern Ireland. This is held within the Neuropathology Department of the Royal Group of Hospitals. No other brain banks have previously existed in Northern Ireland Trusts.
§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what relationship with mainland(a) hospitals and (b) research facilities brain banks in Northern Ireland have had. [121611]
§ Angela SmithA brain tissue bank exists in the Neuropathology Department of the Royal group of hospitals. The Royal have been involved in joint research or diagnostic projects, involving the transfer of tissue samples, with the following facilities:-
National MS Brain Bank, London;Schizophrenia Research, Oxford Medical School, Oxford University;National Unit for Research into CJD, Edinburgh;National Parkinson's Disease Society, London;Netherlands Brain Bank, Holland andMS Research Project, Dublin.All organs and tissue samples involved have been consented for use in research.
No other brain banks exist in Northern Ireland Trusts.