Morpeth World War 2 veteran will donate brain to science

Oct 28 2008 by Claudia Tanner, The Journal

A 92-YEAR-OLD man is donating his brain to science. And Lance Robson yesterday said he had only one requirement for the donation – "make sure I’m dead first!"

The Second World War veteran has suffered two strokes and researchers will use his brain to study why some of his fellow victims develop dementia later in life.

Mr Robson was inspired by the example of granddaughter Zoe Cansdale, whose organs were used to help others after her death in a road accident.

The former RAF navigator has also suffered a heart attack, but maintains an active lifestyle.

He danced the night away at his 90th birthday party, enjoys summer trips to the US and Canada and recently went on safari in Tanzania.

Mr Robson said: “I had a minor heart attack and a couple of strokes in my 80s. After one, I couldn’t play my pipes, but I’ve learned again. I seem to bounce back quickly.”

The keen musician is busy writing his 60th volume of the history of Northumbrian smallpipes and running a small museum and library dedicated to the instruments in five rooms of his home in Hartburn, near Morpeth.

Researchers at the Memory After Stroke project have monitored him since 2000 and assess him each year.

The study, run as a partnership between Newcastle General Hospital and Newcastle University, is tracking the full clinical history of 500 stroke survivors through studying MRI scans, cognitive tests and lifestyle factors.

Lead researcher Professor Raj Kalaria said: “Lance is doing brilliantly for his age. We tested his cognitive functioning in April and he scored 28 out of 30. About 30%-40% of people who have had a stroke go on to develop dementia. This long-term study aims to discover why some deteriorate and others don’t.

“Some people’s brains have the capacity to rewire themselves and recover function.”

Lance, who grew up on a farm, said his secret may be plenty of physical activity and good home-grown food.

He added: “I was inspired by my granddaughter Zoe who was taken from us in a road accident.

“She had said she wanted to be an organ donor and I’m proud she was able to give joy to desperate patients.

“Donating my brain is not like giving organs and tissues for transplant but, indirectly, I know it will help people so I’m happy to do it. All I ask is that they make sure I’m dead first.”

Zoe’s mother Sue Cansdale, who campaigns to increase the number of organ donors, said: “I would urge people to consider being a donor in any form, whatever their age.

“Age is not necessarily an issue in organ donation. Dad donated bone when he had a hip replacement in his 80s, which was used for reconstructive surgery.”

Mr Robson’s brain will be stored at the Newcastle Brain Tissue Resource, where it will be preserved and frozen at -80°C, possibly for decades.

Scientists are already carrying out research into Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s with donated organs.

For more stories from the Morpeth area go to: http://morpeth.journallive.co.uk/