Statement regarding recent media coverage - September 2025

Recent research has suggested that iCAA is linked to the use of a specific type of surgical product called a dural graft that was used widely in some neurosurgeries during the 1970s and 1980s.

Dural grafts are used in neurosurgery to repair tears or defects in the dura mater which is the tough membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. In the 1970s and 1980s the type of dural graft that was used in neurosurgeries was made up of material that was sourced from cadavers (where someone has donated their remains for medical use). These types of grafts were standard surgical practise at the time and were used around the world.

In the late 1980s a connection was made between these grafts and Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease and they were subsequently withdrawn from use. We still use dural grafts in neurosurgery today, but they are now made of materials derived from cows which is a common material used in surgical products.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy occurs when a protein, called amyloid-beta protein, builds up in the blood vessels of the brain and covering tissues. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy can cause strokes due to bleeding in the brain, can also be associated with memory problems, and also occurs in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.

iCAA is a rare and newly described form of cerebral amyloid angiopathy. “Iatrogenic” means relating to, or caused by, medical procedures or treatments. Researchers believe that the amyloid-beta protein which causes iCAA was transferred during these earlier procedures.

Dural grafts are most commonly used in procedures to correct spinal dysraphism (a collection of conditions that affect the spine and spinal cord, such as spina bifida) or Chiari malformation, to remove tumours which impact the dura or in surgeries to treat trauma and head injuries.

We understand that for people who had these types of surgeries in this period that this story may be very concerning. You may have questions about a surgery you had and whether these grafts were used.

You are able to request your medical notes on any procedures you had at GOSH and we will provide these to you. You can request your notes by completing a Subject Access Request.

Once you have received copies of your notes, we encourage you to speak to your current doctor or GP who will be able to support you with any next steps.