Monty Python star Terry Jones chose to donate his brain to science before his death aged 77 after battling dementia
- His brain was added to the bank at UCL's Institute of Neurology, his family said
- In 2016, was announced Jones was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia
- He registered as a donor after discussions with his doctor and his family
Monty Python star Terry Jones, who died at the age of 77 on Tuesday after battling a rare form of dementia, donated his brain to science, it has been revealed.
The actor and comedian's family said his brain was added to the bank at University College London's Institute of Neurology, the Sunday Telegraph reported.
In 2016, it was announced that Jones had been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia, a rare form of frontotemporal dementia where symptoms get progressively worse over time - and he had received treatment at the UCL institute.
The condition affected the Welsh-born star's ability to communicate as it caused the brain tissue which is important for speech and language to deteriorate.
Monty Python star Terry Jones, who died at the age of 77 on Tuesday after battling a rare form of dementia, donated his brain to science
He registered as a donor after discussions with his doctor and his family, and the procedure was performed shortly after his death.
The donation will help doctors conduct further research into FTD, a relatively rare form of dementia.
Prof Thomas Warner, director of the Queen Square Brain Bank at UCL told the publication: 'Studying brain tissue helps to advance our understanding of these conditions. Donation is not that common and it is incredibly valuable.'
The Queen Square Brain Bank archive is used for research into Parkinson's disease as well as Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia and accepts 80-100 brains each year.
The actor and comedian directed some of the comedy troupe's most-loved works, including Life Of Brian (Jones is pictured right in the film). Eric Idle, Michael Palin, John Cleese, Graham Chapman and Terry Gilliam also starred in the film
Jones and his wife, Anna Soderstrom, gave an interview in 2017 to raise awareness of the condition as part of a fundraising campaign that raised over £600,000.
There are 10 brain banks in the UK and donors must join a register.
Prof Warner added that often donors are seen early on when they still have the capacity to consent.
However sometimes the decision is made later by the family if they feel that is what the person would have wanted. The brain is then collected.
Jones in what is believed to be his last picture. Last May, his friend Michael Palin shared the picture of the pair online, saying: 'Moving moment with Terry J'
Some of the brain tissue from the UCL bank is sent around the world to be studied by researchers.
Prof Warner said that his team receive more offers of brain donation than they can afford to accept.
The actor and comedian Jones directed some of the comedy troupe's most-loved works, including Life Of Brian.
Tributes poured in for Jones including from fellow Python star Sir Michael Palin who said he was 'kind, generous, supportive and passionate about living life to the full'.
Monty Python's popularity soared in the 1970s, reaching Europe after a compliation of sketches won a second place prize at the Montreux Festival in 1971.
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