Central Nervous System Disease

Must not donate if:
a) Dementia.

b) 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)).

c) Neurodegenerative conditions of unknown aetiology (e.g. Parkinson's disease).

d) Stroke, transient ischaemic attack/s or cerebral embolus.

a) Individuals who have had Bell's palsy more than four weeks ago and have discontinued any treatment for the condition for at least seven days, even if they have residual paralysis, accept.

b) If a definite diagnosis of transient global amnesia has been made, accept.

c) If the cause of the disease is not established, refer to designated medical officer

Epilepsy
Neurosurgery
Prion Associated Diseases
Rabies

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 vCJD has been transmitted by blood transfusion.

A history of stroke, subarachnoid haemorrhage, transient ischaemic attack/s or cerebral embolus puts a potential donor at increased risk of a further vascular incident affecting their brain. As donation can result in a drop in blood pressure, there is the possibility that this could lead to further problems. Although the level of risk will vary from person to person, it is not acceptable to put an individual at increased risk, for what could be a severe adverse event, to any unnecessary further risk.

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.

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.