@brightfocus.bsky.social
BrightFocus funds groundbreaking research in an urgent effort to discover cures for Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration and glaucoma.
New study results indicate that lifestyle changes can protect aging brains. The U.S. POINTER study tested whether a structured, healthy lifestyle program could protect cognitive function in at-risk older adults. The answer is YES.
Explore this news and more from #CTAD2025: https://bit.ly/4pTAgoa
🔬 $28.4 million.
🧠 111 projects.
🌍 13 countries.
BrightFocus Foundation’s is funding bold ideas and cutting-edge research that could lead to ways to prevent, treat, and ultimately cure Alzheimer’s for the 7+ million Americans living with it.
Explore the science: https://bit.ly/48HvKlM
Graphic for "Zoom In on Dementia & Alzheimer's: The AHEAD Study: Can Alzheimer's Be Prevented or Slowed Before Symptoms Begin?" scheduled for December 18 at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT. Includes registration details, photo of speaker Joshua D. Grill, Director at UCI MIND, and sponsorship logos of BrightFocus Foundation, Biogen, Lilly, and Genentech.
Can Alzheimer's be stopped before it starts? The AHEAD Study is exploring that question. On Dec 18, Dr. Joshua Grill will explain how researchers are testing Leqembi in people at elevated risk for Alzheimer's—targeting brain changes years before symptoms emerge.
Register now: https://bit.ly/4oEVZzm
A scientist funded by BrightFocus Foundation found a link between macular degeneration & Parkinson’s—a finding that led to the development of a new supplement to help protect sight.
Now, he’s searching for new treatments that could benefit millions facing vision loss: https://bit.ly/4adXAsb.
The landscape of Alzheimer’s disease treatments is shifting.
Dr. Marwan Sabbagh will join us to discuss the emerging therapies now in development—including disease-modifying drugs that target the underlying biology of Alzheimer’s.
Join us TODAY at 1 pm ET: https://www.youtube.com/live/e_o2GsmiFTA
Lindsey A. Russ Georgetown University Medical Center
Arvie Rodriguez Abiero, PhD, The University of Sydney
Whitney Simon, Mayo Clinic
Frank Raven, The University of Michigan
🚀 Exciting news! BrightFocus Foundation sponsored travel for 39 early-career scientists to attend @sfn.org's annual meeting in San Diego, and for many, it was their first time at the conference!
📸: A few of BrightFocus Foundation's travel grantees at #SfN2025.
Graphic for Macular Chats event titled 'Supporting the Supporters: Care Partners in Vision Loss on November 19 at 1 pm EST, featuring speakers Robin Saunders and Emily Ladeau, presented by BrightFocus Foundation.
In recognition of #NationalCaregiversMonth, our Nov Macular Chat will explore the role of caring for an individual with vision loss.
Our guest experts will discuss the realities of caregiving, financial challenges, practical resources & support.
🎧 Tomorrow @ 1pm ET: BrightFocus.org/LiveChatMDR
Alzheimer's Fast Track attendees gathered in San Diego, CA for BrightFocus Foundation's Alzheimer's Fast Track annual meeting.
A group of Alzheimer's Fast Track attendees in San Diego, CA
Alzheimer's Fast Track attendees smiling for the camera at BrightFocus Foundation's Alzheimer's Fast Track annual meeting.
An Alzheimer's Fast Track attendee speaking at BrightFocus Foundation's Alzheimer's Fast Track annual meeting in San Diego, CA
💬✨🧠🌟Wrapping up an incredible Alzheimer’s Fast Track workshop! We’re truly inspired by the brilliant minds that gathered in San Diego to explore breakthrough ideas in Alzheimer's disease research.
Exciting times ahead as we gear up for #SfN25! Special thanks to this year’s co-chairs and speakers!
Happening tomorrow: Get your glaucoma questions answered. Dr. Poonam Misra of Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital joins our Glaucoma Chat at 1 p.m. ET for a live conversation.
She’ll cover frequently asked questions about glaucoma.
Listen live tomorrow: https://bit.ly/4nz3KGw
Photo of the Palmers
When Dave Palmer's father lost vision to age-related macular degeneration, Dave and his wife Leanna wanted to help. They started supporting Macular Degeneration Research at BrightFocus Foundation.
See the impact of donor support in our 2025 annual report: https://bit.ly/4o6LuFF.
A surprising connection: Parkinson's drug L-DOPA protects against age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Researcher Brian McKay, PhD, used this finding to discover a protective eye pathway & create an AMD supplement.
Now he's working on new treatments based on this discovery. 🔬
Promotional poster for Glaucoma Chats featuring Poonam Misra, MD from Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital, presented by BrightFocus Foundation and the American Glaucoma Society. It includes event details: 'What I Wish I Knew About Glaucoma: Your Questions Answered' on Wednesday, November 12 at 1 pm EST.
Join us for our next Glaucoma Chat on Nov. 12 at 1 pm ET, featuring Dr. Poonam Misra, a glaucoma specialist & fellowship co-director at Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital, who'll address some of the most common questions listeners have shared over the past year.
Register: https://bit.ly/3WDDLTn
Photo of Mel Sahyun
"If you can't help the one you love, help the one you can."
When the Sahyun family faced both vision loss & dementia diagnoses, this advice transformed their heartbreak into hope.
Read about how they—and other families—are fueling Alzheimer’s research in our annual report: https://bit.ly/4ovA8L6
Join our Macular Chat tomorrow, October 29, with Dr. Jeffrey Stern, co-founder of the Neural Stem Cell Institute. He'll cover the latest science, share clinical trial updates, and explain what these advances mean for people living with AMD.
Listen live. 🔊 ↘️
Infographic titled 'Alzheimer's Treatments Explained' by BrightFocus Foundation and Alzheimer's Disease Research. It includes sections labeled 'Drug Type', 'Effectiveness', and 'How It Works', with specific treatments listed such as 'Leqembi' and 'Aduhelm'.
🧠 New infographic: FDA-approved Alzheimer's treatments at a glance—how they work, administration methods, and which disease stages they target.
View it here: https://bit.ly/42Ziuaq
Made possible by sponsorships from Eisai and Lilly.
🧠 Did you know your gut health could impact your Alzheimer's risk?
Join Dr. Beau Ances from @WashU today (Oct 21) at 1 p.m. ET as he breaks down the emerging science connecting trillions of gut bacteria to brain health.
Watch live and get your questions answered. ⤵️
New research is exploring how to restore vision after glaucoma damage.
Dr. Lucy Q. Shen breaks down the science and shares what makes her hopeful about the future of treatment.
🔊 Listen here: https://bit.ly/47aaLau
#GlaucomaChat #Glaucoma #BrightFocusFoundation
Graphic for "Zoom In on Dementia & Alzheimer's: The Gut Microbiome and Understanding the Connection," featuring Dr. Beau Ances from Washington University in Saint Louis. Scheduled for October 21 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.
Could gut bacteria affect your brain? 🧠🦠
Join Dr. Beau Ances Oct 21 at 1 p.m. ET to explore the gut-Alzheimer's connection and learn steps to support both gut and brain health.
Register at: https://bit.ly/4qhsHsO
#Alzheimers #BrightFocusFoundation #ZoomInAlz
Quote from Joe Herdy, PhD, about witnessing the impact of dementia on a grandparent and seeking answers to help others.
Thanks to donor support, we're funding bold projects like Dr. Joe Herdy's—exploring how genetics and inflammation intersect in Alzheimer's disease.
Together, we’re building a future with better treatments and more hope. 💙
Discover his story: https://bit.ly/46QVIUq
🔬 Research into macular degeneration is advancing fast—from earlier detection to new treatments.
Drs. Bovenkamp and Rossi discuss the projects making an impact and where the field is headed next.
Listen to our full Macular Chat: https://bit.ly/3JaiRrH
Close-up of an eye with a digital implant, highlighting advances in technology to restore partial sight. The text reads "How Brain Implants and Technology Restore Partial Sight."
Electronic implants in the retina or brain can restore partial vision in people who have lost the light-sensing cells in their eyes.
This technology is offering hope to those with severe vision loss due to diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Learn more: https://bit.ly/3KUJr8J
🔬 Restoring vision with eye transplants has long been out of reach—but BrightFocus-funded research is changing that.
Dr. Jason Meyer's work may not only help restore sight lost to glaucoma, but could reshape what we thought possible in vision science.
Find out more. ⤵️
Scientists who attended Glaucoma Fast Track, October 8, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. Glaucoma Fast Track is the official pre-symposium workshop to the International Society for Eye Research (ISER)/BrightFocus Glaucoma Symposium: Concepts and Breakthroughs in Glaucoma.
That's a wrap on Glaucoma Fast Track 2025! Researchers from around the world gathered in Atlanta to learn from experts, present their work & build networks that will drive glaucoma research forward.
Breakthroughs happen when talented researchers get the mentorship, resources & community they need.
Dr. Diane Bovenkamp at BrightFocus Foundation's Glaucoma Fast Track workshop in Atlanta, GA. Glaucoma Fast Track is the official pre-symposium workshop to the International Society for Eye Research (ISER)/BrightFocus Glaucoma Symposium: Concepts and Breakthroughs in Glaucoma.
Researchers at BrightFocus Foundation's Glaucoma Fast Track workshop in Atlanta, GA. Glaucoma Fast Track is the official pre-symposium workshop to the International Society for Eye Research (ISER)/BrightFocus Glaucoma Symposium: Concepts and Breakthroughs in Glaucoma.
Speakers Michael Elliott, PhD, Robert W. Nickells, PhD, Rebecca Sappington, PhD, and Colleen McDowell at BrightFocus Foundation's Glaucoma Fast Track workshop. Glaucoma Fast Track is the official pre-symposium workshop to the International Society for Eye Research (ISER)/BrightFocus Glaucoma Symposium: Concepts and Breakthroughs in Glaucoma.
Bri McWhorter speaking at BrightFocus Foundation's Glaucoma Fast Track workshop in Atlanta, GA.
Team BrightFocus Foundation is on the ground in Atlanta for our #GlaucomaFastTrack program, the official pre-symposium workshop to the ISER/BrightFocus Glaucoma Symposium.
Glaucoma Fast Track brings together top researchers from across the globe to accelerate vision research. 💪 🔬
Tune in today (Oct 8) for our next Glaucoma Chat featuring Dr. Astrid Werner to learn what causes dry eye, how to recognize the symptoms, and effective treatment options—including preservative-free drops, artificial tears, and eyelid care routines.
🔊 Listen live: https://bit.ly/3KzA0eK.
Promotional poster for Glaucoma Chats featuring Astrid Werner, MD, hosted by the BrightFocus Foundation and the American Glaucoma Society. Event scheduled for Wednesday, October 8 at 1:00 pm Eastern. Includes a portrait of Astrid Werner smiling.
Join us for our next Glaucoma Chat on Wednesday, Oct 8, featuring Dr. Astrid Werner to learn what causes dry eye, how to recognize the symptoms, and effective treatment options—including preservative-free drops, artificial tears, and eyelid care routines.
Register today: https://bit.ly/46v9zQ2.
Graphic for a live event titled "Zoom In on Dementia & Alzheimer's: U.S. POINTER Research Improves Cognition in Older Adults" scheduled for October 2 at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT. Features an image of Laura Baker, PhD, Professor of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine.
Tune in to tomorrow's episode of Zoom In on Dementia & Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Laura Baker will share results from the U.S. POINTER trial—the largest study of its kind to test how lifestyle changes impact brain health: https://www.youtube.com/live/eh7EwYm11zY
📢 Our 2025 annual report is here!
Thanks to donors, BrightFocus Foundation funded 186 research grants in 16 countries advancing the fight against Alzheimer's, macular degeneration & glaucoma.
Read the full report: https://bit.ly/4nD6rrp
Graphic for a clinical research webinar titled "Zoom In on Dementia & Alzheimer's" discussing how lifestyle modification significantly improves cognition in older adults. Scheduled for October 2 at 1 p.m. ET. Features a registration link and a photo of Professor Laura Baker, PhD from Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Includes logos for BrightFocus Foundation and Alzheimer's Disease Research. Also indicates an "Ask Questions LIVE!" interactive feature, supported by sponsors including Zoom, Lilly, and Genentech.
Can your lifestyle choices protect your memory? New findings from the U.S. POINTER trial suggest they can.
Join us on Oct 2 to learn how combining key lifestyle strategies could be your best defense against dementia.
Register: https://bit.ly/4pHZNle
Graphic for Macular Chats, an event by BrightFocus Foundation on September 24 at 1:00 pm to discuss geographic atrophy.
Can doctor's slow geographic atrophy progression? Retina specialist Dr. Sara Fard has answers. Join our Macular Chat tomorrow (Sept. 24) at 1 p.m. ET.
Listen live 🔊 https://bit.ly/46cyZlj
