The UK Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank receives tissue from patients with Parkinson's disease and a variety of different movement disorders. Half of the brain is used for full neuropathological examination prior to allocation for specific research projects. Clinical misdiagnosis occurs in a significant proportion of cases and clinico-pathological correlation provides valuable information for disease recognition. With the expanding number of other specialist brain banks there is a need for agreement on diagnostic criteria. Furthermore, awareness of different methods of tissue handling is essential.