American Brain Foundation

Diagnoses can change life as we know it. By funding research, we can find preventions, treatments, and cures so that everyone can live without #BrainDisease. #CureOneCureMany #ResearchMatters

Researcher Feature: Joe Viteri, PhD. Dr. Viteri is a 2025 Next Generation Research Grantee researching ALS. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) causes motor neurons to die, leading to muscle weakness. Support cells called glia build up and release substances that make ALS worse. Dr. Viteri is studying senolytic drugs, which clear out these glia, to see if they help motor neurons function better.

Meet 2025 Next Gen. Research Grant recipient Jose Viteri, PhD. At the University of Missouri, Columbia, he is studying how senolytic drugs work, in relation to #ALS. Funded with the @alsassociation.bsky.social and @aanmember.bsky.social.

🔬 Learn more about Dr. Viteri's research: buff.ly/g8L4LVw

Zika Virus Infection - American Brain Foundation Zika often shows no symptoms, but can pose risks. Get the facts about how it spreads, why pregnancy increases risks, and current research.

#Zika virus has been added to our Brain Diseases from A to Z page. While Zika technically isn’t a brain disease in itself, it can cause brain-related #BirthDefects for infants if a pregnant mother is infected.

🧠 Read more about Zika Virus ⬇️

This holiday season, give the gift of brain research with a tribute or memorial donation. 🎁

Simply click “Dedicate this donation” on our online donation form and enter your honoree’s name. You’ll make TWICE the impact with our current challenge ➡️ buff.ly/N352mwZ 💓

Did you know? All about qualified charitable distributions, or QCDs.

Beginning at age 73, individuals are required by the IRS to withdraw a certain amount from their IRA each year. This is called a required minimum distribution (RMD).

Some donors choose to give directly from their IRA as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). Making charitable gifts in this way can offer meaningful tax advantages.

Because a QCD goes directly from your IRA to charity it does not count as taxable income, which can make it one of the most tax-efficient ways to support a cause you care about.

A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) allows individuals aged 70½ and older to make a tax-free gift directly from their IRA. Making a gift to ABF through a #QCD is a simple, meaningful way to meet annual distribution requirements while advancing brain research. #GiveSmart

Brain diseases can strike anyone at any time, and they can change everything. Our best hope is to invest in research for better prevention, treatments, and cures. #CureOneCureMany #ResearchMatters

Support brain research with a gift of appreciated securities. By donating appreciated securities, you can avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation, receive a charitable deduction for the fair market value of the asset, make a larger impact than you might by giving cash, and support life-changing brain research in a way that aligns with your financial goals.

Donating long-term appreciated securities—such as stocks, mutual funds, or exchange-traded funds—is a tax-efficient way to support research.

Brain Disease and Disability - American Brain Foundation Explore how brain diseases lead to visible and invisible disabilities and why inclusion is vital this International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Our blog discusses brain disease and disabilities. Research will lead to fewer disabling symptoms, but we must also improve inclusion for all who currently live with disabilities. #IDPD

📖 Read the Blog ⬇️ buff.ly/FpLQFH4

DOUBLE your donation! Thanks to a generous donor, any gift you make today for Giving Tuesday will be doubled, making TWICE the impact on research.

Today is #GivingTuesday, the annual day of generosity. By donating you can fund research to find cures for brain disease. We currently have a $50,000 challenge, meaning that you can DOUBLE your impact on research.

💓 Double your impact: buff.ly/lQUzZPI

We're listening to Brain Matters, Featuring Teresa Eyet from the SmikleSpeaks podcast.

ABF board member and popular podcaster Joanne L. Smikle, PhD, is presenting a three-part series of conversations with Teresa Eyet, a patient recently diagnosed with early-onset #Alzheimers disease.

🎧 Listen Now ➡️ buff.ly/ZIp9jIA

Thank you! Your generosity during this holiday season and beyond is making a difference for people living with brain disease.

We would like to express our utmost #gratitude to all American Brain Foundation donors and philanthropists. Your generosity to fund research is making a difference for all those who live with brain disease or who might face one in the future. Thank you!

Donating appreciated securities is a tax-smart way to make a meaningful impact on brain disease research. We would be happy to help you set up a stock donation. Please visit our stock donation page for more information: buff.ly/LVmYFLR

Does Gratitude Rewire Your Brain? - American Brain Foundation Learn how simple acts of gratitude can rewire your brain for positivity, reduce stress, and improve your mental well-being

Gratitude can be a powerful feeling, but it’s more complex than you might think. Our latest blog discusses what happens in the brain when we experience and regularly practice #gratitude.

💓 Learn more about how gratitude can change the brain:

A new systemic analysis published in HAMA Neurology has found one in two people in the United States is affected by a neurological disease or disorder.

@aanmember.bsky.social reports new findings that 54% of people in the United States (more than 180 million) are affected by a neurological disorder. This analysis underscores the urgent need for increased funding for #BrainResearch. #Brainsky #Migraine #Neuropathy

As National Family Caregivers Month comes to a close, we spotlight painter and advocate Susan Schneider Williams as she shares a moving moment of creative synergy with her late husband, actor Robin… Chasing the Light: How Creativity Supported Susan Schneider Williams and Robin Williams Through LBD

As #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth comes to a close, we spotlight painter and advocate Susan Schneider Williams as she shares a moving moment of creative synergy with her late husband, actor Robin Williams, who died of Lewy body dementia (LBD) in 2014.

buff.ly/3xNsHGx

A background image of researchers with text that says, "Federal Funding Cuts Hinder Lifesaving Brain Research, written by Michelle Heritage. Featured in USA Today."

Executive Director Michelle Heritage contributed an opinion piece in today’s edition of @usatoday.com in support of #MedicalResearch funding. Scientists are on the verge of breakthroughs; the government should value and continue to fund research. #ResearchFunding

🔬🧠 Read the essay ➡️ buff.ly/Tc4CiJ4

Research Discovery: Older adults can delay cognitive decline from Alzheimer’s disease with just a modest amount of physical activity.

Diseases Affected: Alzheimer's Disease

Key Findings: Adults with elevated levels of amyloid-beta proteins (a precursor to Alzheimer’s) can delay cognitive decline by three years just by taking 3,000 steps per day. And they can delay this decline by seven years by taking 5,000 to 7,500 steps per day.

What's Next? The researchers plan to explore which types of physical activity might be most important, and the biological mechanisms linking physical activity, tau protein buildup, and cognitive health.

We’re excited to share that a new study by THREE past ABF Next Generation Research Grant recipients shows that older adults can slow the onset of #Alzheimers symptoms just by taking 3,000 steps per day! Congrats, Drs. Yau, Chhatwal, and Sperling! #Brainsky

Research discovery: Certain cells in the brainstem are responsible for transmitting signals of chronic pain. They could potentially serve as biomarkers for chronic pain or even an “off switch.”

Diseases affected: chronic pain

Researchers at @upenn.edu have identified that Y1 receptor-expressing #neurons in the brainstem’s lateral parabrachial nucleus are associated with #chronicpain. This suggests possibilities for future biomarkers and treatments. #Brainsky

Thrilled to be at #SfN25 this week! Sharing my research on TBI, white matter integrity, menopause, and hormone therapy 🧠🚺 Also very thankful to have been selected for the 2025 Trainee Professional Development Award supported by the @abfbrain.bsky.social! 🙂🎉

Cavernoma (Cavernous Malformation) | American Brain Foundation Discover what causes cavernomas, their symptoms, and the latest research on treatments for this rare brain condition.

We’ve added cavernoma (or cavernous malformation) to the Brain Diseases from A to Z page on our website. #Cavernomas are abnormal clusters of small blood vessels that can cause seizures and strokes if they hemorrhage in the brain or spinal cord.

Start a Fundraiser - American Brain Foundation Brain disease affects billions. We're trying to get to zero.

Rachel wanted to help people like her father, who had Alzheimer’s. She found the ABF and launched her own #fundraiser, which raised more than $3,000 for research! Thank you, Rachel! It’s easy to start a fundraiser and get your community involved:

Opinion | Will the Idea of America Be Lost? Readers discuss equal opportunity and immigration as central ideas in the American project. Also: The value of brain research; Democratic momentum.

We’re proud to share that American Brain Foundation Executive Director Michelle Heritage was featured in The New York Times! Her letter to the editor highlights the value of #BrainResearch. Read Michelle’s perspective:

Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 to 80% of all dementia cases.

Alzheimer’s disease causes 60–80% of all dementia cases—affecting millions of people and families worldwide.

This Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, explore facts, research, and resources that bring hope for the future:
🔗 https://ow.ly/nGNM50XoyaU

#AlzheimersAwarenessMonth #BrainHealth

Brain Fog - American Brain Foundation Struggling to focus or think straight? Find out what’s behind brain fog and expert tips to lift the haze and sharpen your focus.

This week’s blog looks at brain fog, or symptoms of mild cognitive impairment, like difficulty concentrating. #Brainfog is common and usually temporary. Most of the time it’s not a cause for concern, but if it lasts for several weeks, doctors can help. 🧠 Learn more: https://ow.ly/RWYW50Xncn7

Researcher Feature: Peter Hadar, MD, 2025 Next Generation Researcher studying Epilepsy. Epilepsy causes seizures due to disrupted nerve cell activity, and many cases resist treatment. Dr. Hadar is mapping brain networks involved in epilepsy to find the areas most responsible for seizures. His work could lead to new neurostimulation therapies that are more effective in preventing seizures.

Meet 2025 Next Gen. Research Grant recipient Peter Hadar, MD. He’s creating an atlas to predict seizures in #epilepsy. Funded w/ American Epilepsy Society, Epilepsy Foundation of America, & American Academy of Neurology. #NationalEpilepsyAwarenessMonth Learn more: https://ow.ly/T0WO50Xm8lg

Research Discovery: Researchers have developed a new therapy that successfully treats disorders caused by a defective SYNGAP1 gene.

Diseases Affected: SYNGAP1-related disorders (SRDs).

Key Findings: Scientists used an adeno associate virus (AAV)—which does not replicate—to deliver a functional SYNGAP1 gene to brain cells. This caused a dramatic improvement in symptoms. It is the first successful gene supplementation therapy for SRDs.

What's Next? This study was conducted with mice models. If this gene therapy is successful in human trials, it could effectively reverse the effects of SRDs, preventing debilitating symptoms including epilepsy, cognitive dysfunction, and behavioral problems—or even reducing them after they appear.

Researchers at the Allen Institute have designed a new #GeneTherapy that has successfully reversed symptoms of SYNGAP1-related disorders (SRD) in mice. It is the first successful gene supplementation solution for SRDs.

Why do we like being scared? - American Brain Foundation Why do we like being scared? Discover how the brain transforms fear into excitement, pleasure, and a surprising sense of reward.

Do you enjoy thrills and chills, be it riding rollercoasters or watching scary movies? This week’s blog post looks at the brain science of why we enjoy being frightened—as long as we’re not in real danger. 🎃🕷️👻🦇 Read the blog here ⬇️ https://ow.ly/MRA550XjmCP

Research Discovery: CTE has been found at a significant rate among homeless/unhoused people with no history of sports injury or military service.

Diseases Affected: Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)

Key Findings: Researchers detected signs of CTE the post-mortem brains of housing-deprived individuals.

What's next? The international research team says that the next step is to develop better tools to detect CTE among living patients, which is currently not possible even with MRI scans.

A study in the journal Acta Neuropathologica has found that chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), an illness related to repeated head injuries, can be found at a significant rate among homeless/unhoused populations. #CTE #CTEAwareness #CTEResearch

Image: A happy couple sitting on their couch and looking at something on a laptop. Text: Your retirement savings could unlock the next breakthrough.

Your retirement savings can help unlock the next breakthrough. If you’re 70½ or older, a gift from your #IRA (#QCD) can meet your RMD—and support life-changing brain research at the same time. Together, we can build a future without brain disease. ➡️ buff.ly/XgeLDbl #Philanthropy

Research Progress: A drug to treat multiple sclerosis is currently in phase II trials.

Diseases Affected: Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Key Findings: A drug called PIPE-307 targets a specific receptor that induces the maturation of cells called oligodendrocytes, which then produce new myelin to replace myelin lost to MS.

What's next? The drug cleared Phase I trials in 2021 and is now in wider Phase II trials.

#MultipleSclerosis (MS) damages myelin, the coating protecting nerve endings. Scientists at UC San Francisco and Contineum Therapeutics developed a drug that induces cells to replace lost myelin, potentially reversing MS. It’s now in Phase II testing.