In February 2026 I had the privilege of visiting the Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Tissue Bank at Imperial College Hospital. It was an incredibly powerful and humbling experience that provided a unique insight into the research being carried out to better understand neurological disease.
During my visit I witnessed a live dissection of a human brain that had been kindly donated for research by a person who had lived with Multiple Sclerosis. Brain donations like this are vital for advancing medical understanding. They allow researchers to study neurological diseases in detail and help develop future treatments that may improve the lives of people living with these conditions.
One of the most fascinating structures I saw during the dissection was the Circle of Willis. This tiny circular network of arteries sits at the base of the brain and plays a crucial protective role. If blood flow is interrupted in one artery, the Circle of Willis can help redirect blood through other vessels to maintain oxygen supply to the brain.
Seeing it in person was remarkable because of how small it is, especially considering how important it is for protecting brain tissue if blood supply becomes compromised.
I also observed areas within the brain where MS lesions were visible. These lesions occur when the immune system attacks the protective coating around nerve fibres (myelin), disrupting communication between the brain and the body. Seeing these physical changes within the brain reinforced just how significant the impact of MS can be.
According to the Multiple Sclerosis Trust, around 130,000 people in the UK are living with MS, and globally approximately 2.8 million people are affected. MS is around two to three times more common in women than men and is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40.
Exercise is increasingly recognised as an important part of managing MS. Regular physical activity can help maintain strength, balance, mobility and overall wellbeing. However, exercise programmes should be carefully considered, as many people with MS experience heat intolerance, where increased body temperature can temporarily worsen symptoms. Training in cooler environments, staying hydrated and managing intensity can make exercise more comfortable and beneficial.
During the visit I also saw areas of the brain associated with Parkinson's disease, including the Substantia Nigra and parts of the Basal Ganglia.
In Parkinson’s disease, cells in the substantia nigra gradually deteriorate, leading to a reduction in dopamine, a chemical that plays a key role in controlling movement. As dopamine levels fall, people may develop symptoms such as slower movements (bradykinesia), tremors, stiffness, reduced movement size and involuntary movements (dyskinesia).
According to Parkinson's UK, around 153,000 people in the UK are currently living with Parkinson’s disease, with over 10 million people worldwide affected.
Exercise and staying neurologically active are extremely important for people living with Parkinson’s. Movement-based training can help maintain mobility, improve coordination and support brain health. Research increasingly shows that regular exercise may help slow the progression of movement symptoms and improve quality of life.
Witnessing this work firsthand was both fascinating and deeply respectful. It highlighted the incredible generosity of individuals who choose to donate their brains to research, helping scientists better understand these conditions and move closer to improved treatments in the future.