The National CJD Research & Surveillance Unit (NCJDRSU, formerly NCJDSU) has two principal inter-related functions: CJD surveillance in the UK and research into prion disease and related problems. Based at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, the Unit brings together a team of clinical neurologists, neuropathologists, scientists and others as part of the University of Edinburgh's College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences (Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences). The NCJDRSU aims:

"to monitor the characteristics of all forms of CJD, to identify trends in incidence rates, to study risk factors for the development of disease and to contribute to improving the quality of care for those with CJD."

We work closely with the UK Health Departments, the National Blood Authorities, Public Health England (PHE) and Public Health Scotland (PHS), as well as local public health teams, to provide advice where needed. Surveillance is funded by the Department of Health Policy Research Programme and by the Scottish Government Health Department. The NCJDRSU also receives research funding from these and other individual, charitable, national and international sources. We are particularly grateful to the relatives of patients for their collaboration, and all those otherwise supporting the work of the Unit, for their help in national CJD research and surveillance.