Central nervous system (CNS) disease - Tissue - deceased donors

Essential information

Obligatory

Must not donate if:

  1. Dementia.
  2. History of CNS disease of unknown or suspected infective origin, e.g. multiple sclerosis (MS), optic neuritis, clinically isolated syndrome, transverse myelitis, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).
  3. Neurodegenerative conditions of unknown aetiology (e.g. Parkinson's disease).
Discretionary
  1. Individuals who have had Bell's palsy more than 4 weeks ago and have discontinued any treatment for the condition for at least 7 days, even if they have residual paralysis, accept.
  2. If a definite diagnosis of transient global amnesia has been made, accept.
  3. If the cause of the disease is not established, refer to Designated Clinical Support Officer.

Supporting information

See if relevant
Additional information

Often the exact cause of a degenerative brain condition only becomes known after death. For this reason, when there is any doubt as to the underlying cause of a brain condition, it is considered safest not to accept a donation. It is thought that degenerative brain disease in the form of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) has been transmitted by blood transfusion.

Transient global amnesia is a temporary and isolated disorder of memory. Affected individuals are usually over 50 years of age and there is an association with migraine. There is no association with cerebrovascular disease.

Regulatory information

This advice is a requirement of the EU Tissue and Cells Directive.

Reason for change:
To clarify that CNS disease of unknown origin, and clinically isolated syndrome, are reasons for obligatory deferral and to permit individual risk assessment where appropriate.
Version details:

TD-DSG Edition 203 Release 31 (24 April 2024)