One of the main health stories today, was an appeal for people to donate their brains to science to help with the study of diseases like Alzheimers and Parkinsons. Brain donation is relatively rare and there are various theories as to why this is the case. Some think that because it is so tied up with personality that there is a reluctance to do so; others that it is because people get donation of organs and donation to medical science mixed up. But maybe it's the simplest reason of all; that the scientists didn't think to ask. This story reminded me of a scientist who did ask, and who now conducts one of the most comprehensive longitudinal studies of ageing; the nun study.
In 1986, Dr David Snowdon, an assistant professor in epidemiology at the University of Minnesota, was looking for a research project to consolidate his position at the university. He happened to get into a conversation with a graduate who was also a nun, and she suggested that he do a research project involving the nuns at her convent in Munkato, Minn. He was reluctant at first, but was persuaded and the project that he chose was to study Alzheimers and the effects of ageing on the brain. There was only one problem; studying Alzheimers meant studying brains, which meant the participants would have to agree to donate their brains after death to the project. On the day that he went up to the convent he was very nervous, but he explained what he was doing and the possible benefits it could have. The ice was broken when one nun piped up, 'Well, he can have my brain! I won't need it when I'm six feet under!' In total, 678 nuns from seven Notre Dame convents signed up for the project. Information about keeping your brain active, the risk factor involving head injury and stroke in precipitating Alzheimers, the function of folic acid and spotting a risk before the disease starts, all come from this study.
Research into disease requires money, but it also requires the good will and generosity of research volunteers. If there is ever a cure for this wretched disease, it will be because of the goodwill of people like the Notre Dame nuns. Maybe it's time we followed their example. After all, are you going to need your brain when you're six feet under?
