CJD Research and Resource Centre

The CJD Research & Resource Centre was established in 2001 by the UK Department of Health and Social Care, in coordination with the World Health Organisation as part of their response to the emergence of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD).

The Centre curates reference reagents for evaluation of assays intended to diagnose variant and sporadic CJD, and for screening blood for markers of variant CJD infection. This includes reagents derived from human brain and spleen tissue homogenates from sporadic CJD, variant VJD and healthy control tissues, as well as animal tissue homogenates, blood and components from TSE-infected animals, and healthy control animals. These reagents help to ensure that diagnostic tests meet strict performance criteria for analytical and diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, as outlined in common technical specifications.    

In addition to work on CJD, we are also investigating the development and standardisation of novel highly sensitive methods for the detection of other neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

For more information, please contact jillian.cooper@mhra.gov.uk

Browse the CJD Research & Resource Centre catalogue.