Jeremy Paxman and Jane Asher have promised to leave their brains for research into Parkinson’s disease.

The BBC Newsnight presenter and the actress are among celebrity supporters of a campaign launched this week by the Parkinson’s Disease Society to encourage more people to become brain donors.

Research into Parkinson’s is being held back by a shortage of brain tissue. Only 1,000 people in Britain have signed up to the charity’s brain donor register and it wants to double that number by the end of the year.

A YouGov poll for the charity found that while more than 60 per cent of people would be happy to give their heart or kidneys after they die, only 7 per cent are comfortable about the idea of donating their brain.

Ms Asher, whose brother-in-law has Parkinson’s, said: “I’ve visited the Parkinson’s Brain Bank and seen what fantastic work is going on there. Now we need a greater awareness of the benefits of brain donation so that more people come forward to register.

“Research on brains both with and without Parkinson’s is essential. It’s vital that we secure more potential donors as this will help us move closer to a cure.”

Research using donated tissue has led to important advances in the treatment of Parkinson’s, a condition that impairs motor skills and speech, and causes tremor and rigidity.

Steve Ford, the society’s chief executive, said: “In our 40th anniversary year, we want everyone to think about how they can support us in the search for a cure for Parkinson’s.”

Explore Health

• Expert Advice

• Health Features

• Mental Health

• Alternative Medicine

• Child Health

• Health Club