Question
I was very pleased to read that the ME Association is once again going to be organising and funding post-mortem research – this time in conjunction with the Manchester Brain Bank. Please could you explain why the upper age limit for accepting post-mortem requests is set at 50.
Answer
This decision was made following a detailed discussion with the neuropathologists at the Manchester Brain Bank.
The reason is that as well as the natural aging process there can be other changes starting to take place in brain tissue in people who are over the age of 50, some of which may be degenerative or are precursors to other neurological diseases. So we don’t want to conclude that abnormalities which may be found on post mortem examination are related to ME/CFS when they are in fact due to another neurological disease that is not clinically present at the time of death.
Whilst on this subject I must point out the importance of filling in a Statement of Intent form (available on the MEA website – or we can post a copy) and the need for the MEA to be informed as soon as possible after the time of death, preferably within 48 hours and no later than 10 days. Sadly, we have had two recent potential donations that could not be pursued due to lack of clear consent being given and notification of death arriving too late.
See Also: Research: Post-Mortem
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