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American Brain Foundation

@abfbrain.bsky.social

We bring researchers and donors together to cure brain disease. #CureOneCureMany 🔬 Fund research. Cure brain disease ➡️ https://buff.ly/xFAbFbT 💓 🧠 Learn more about brain disease ➡️ hootbio.com/abf

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American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 3d ago

The ABF Gala is coming to Nashville on September 12. Actress, advocate, and ABF Global Ambassador Selma Blair will present Chris Johnson with the 2026 Champion Award for his strength and courage in facing his ALS diagnosis. Get tickets or donate here: buff.ly/eUeQuio.

Selma Blair, the American Brain Foundation's Global Ambassador and National Chair for Brain Health Advancement, will present the 2026 Champion Award to Chris Johnson at the American Brain Foundation Gala in Nashville on September 12th.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 4d ago

We're honored to present the 2026 Champion Award to former NFL running back Chris Johnson during the American Brain Foundation Gala on September 12 in Nashville for his courage in facing his #ALS diagnosis. Get tickets or donate here: buff.ly/eUeQuio.

Legendary Tennessee Titans player Chris Johnson will receive the 2026 American Brain Foundation Champion Award in Nashville on September 12th in recognition of his strength and courage facing his ALS diagnosis.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 4d ago

If someone you know has experienced a brain disease or other neurological condition, that person’s experience can inspire hope for millions of others who might face similar circumstances one day. 💓 Make a tribute gift today to fund crucial research: buff.ly/cvn94pr

Image: A photograph of a father and son chatting and drinking coffee. Text: A tribute gift in honor of your loved one can make progress for millions of others.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 5d ago

Researchers: we want to give you money! As an early-career brain researcher, your study might qualify for a Next Generation #ResearchGrant. But time is running out! Applications are due September 10 for three of the awards, and October 8 for the others. Apply here: buff.ly/ovlHSXK

Image: A photograph of a team of brain researchers collaborating in the lab. Text: Calling all researchers! Research grant applications are open for: ALS, Cognitive Aging, Epilepsy, Mal de Débarquement Syndrome and Central Vestibular Disorders, Neuromuscular Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Peripheral Neuropathy, and Stroke.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 7d ago

#Alzheimers disease is caused by accumulated amyloid beta and tau proteins in brain cells. @smithsonianmag.bsky.social reports that, in a clinical trial, an experimental drug called diranersen successfully reduced tau levels, slightly slowing cognitive decline.

Research Discovery: In a clinical trial, an experimental Alzheimer’s drug called diranersen showed success in causing the brain to produce less tau protein, slowing the rate of cognitive decline.

Key Findings: In a trial involving more than 400 participants with early-stage Alzheimer’s, the drug lowered tau levels in brain and spinal fluid by 50% to 65%, although surprisingly, the group with the lowest dose showed the greatest slowing of cognitive decline, by up to 26% in one test.

What’s Next? Biogen, the company that created diranersen, will test the drug with a larger population. Future tests that combine the tau-targeting drug with amyloid-targeting drugs are also a possibility.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · last wk.

When someone you love is affected by brain disease, you may find yourself wishing you could do more to help others in the future. A gift to the American Brain Foundation in honor or memory of someone special turns your compassion into action and progress. 💓 Make a tribute gift ➡️ buff.ly/rZJPoa6

Image: A photograph of a mother and her daughter. Text: Their legacy can help create a healthier future.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · last wk.

The ER doctor thought Connie was having an anxiety attack. In fact, she had a serious brain tumor and needed immediate surgery. Six days later, she suddenly needed a second emergency operation. Now she’s a donor supporting research. Read her story ⬇️ buff.ly/jesY16D

Connie's Story - American Brain Foundation

A brain tumor changed Connie's life in an instant. Read Connie's story of survival, healing and why she gives back to brain research

americanbrainfoundation.org

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 2w ago

Andrew G. Breithaupt, MD, a recipient of a 2024 American Brain Foundation #NextGenerationResearchGrant, is the lead author of a journal article about using #AI to collect patient history info from older adults suspected of having #dementia.

Research Discovery: An AI tool could be used to assist busy clinicians with gathering complex family history information from patients prior to an in-person interview for a dementia diagnosis.

Diseases Affected: Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

Key Findings: 30 older adult patients from a cognitive neurology clinic participated in trials with a large language model (LLM) AI agent that would listen to and generate further prompts based on patients’ responses to questions. It allowed patients to speak at their own pace without time pressure.

What’s Next? This technology is intended to help doctors, not make diagnoses for them. It could help make dementia diagnosis more efficient. The study had several limitations, including a small sample size, but it notes that patients had a positive experience with the tool.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 2w ago

Researchers at @mit.edu and @york-university.bsky.social have been working to better understand how the #brain rewires itself as it learns to recognize objects visually. With computational modeling, this could help people design better training strategies for #visual tasks.

Research Discovery: Learning to identify a new object subtly reshapes visual processing in the brain.

Research Topics: Visual perception and learning.

Key Findings: Researchers compared how animals and artificial neural networks learn to visually identify the same objects, and found that when animals are trained to recognize an object, visual processing involves subtle neural changes in the inferior temporal cortex.

What’s Next? With the use of artificial neural networks, it may be possible to design more effective training strategies to aid visual learning.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 2w ago

#WhiteMatterDisease has been added to the Brain Diseases from A to Z section of our website. When white matter in the brain doesn’t get sufficient blood supply, nerve fibers become damaged, leading to symptoms affecting memory and motor skills. buff.ly/MPEotDn

What you need to know about white matter disease.

White matter disease refers to damage to the brain’s white matter—the areas of the brain that are mostly composed of nerve fibers. It is a direct result of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and/or reduced blood flow to the brain, meaning that white matter disease is a possible consequence of poor cardiovascular health. The condition can cause issues with memory, balance, and mobility, and it can increase the risk of stroke and cognitive decline.

40-60% of brain volume is composed of white matter. 10-20% of 60-year-olds have some white matter lesions. Nearly 100% of 90-year-olds have some white matter lesions.

White matter disease can affect memory, balance, and mobility. Learn more about its causes, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment on our website.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 3w ago

Meet 2026 Next Gen. Researcher Ariel Zhang, PhD. She is running experiments to see if reducing a specific protein called ATF2 could prevent #PeripheralNeuropathy in chemotherapy patients. Funded with @foundationforpn.bsky.social. 🧠 Learn more about Dr. Zhang's research 💡➡️ buff.ly/tvHFy3v

Researcher Feature: Ariel Zhang, PhD. Dr. Zhang is a 2026 Next Generation Researcher studying peripheral neuropathy. Her research will explore the role of a protein called ATF2 in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and investigate if reducing the protein can protect against this condition. If so, this could pave the way for the development of safer cancer treatments. This research is funded by The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 3w ago

Join us Sept. 12 in Nashville for the American Brain Foundation Gala, honoring Chris Johnson, the Wounded Warrior Project, and the cast and writers of #Shrinking, with Leslie Odom, Jr. performing. Details & Tickets: buff.ly/zwOsTII

The American Brain Foundation Gala will be back in Nashville on Saturday, September 12th, 2026. Join us for a night of brilliance and breakthroughs supporting life-changing brain research.

The Gala will feature awards presented to three awardees. Chris Johnson will receive the 2026 Champion Award. Apple TV's Shrinking will receive the 2026 Advocate Award, and Wounded Warrior Project will receive the 2026 Game Changer Award.

We will be joined for an exclusive performance by Tony and Grammy Award-winning, three-time Emmy and two-time Academy Award-nominated musical guest Leslie Odom, Jr.

Every ticket, sponsorship, and donation helps accelerate brain research that transforms lives. Learn more, become a sponsor, purchase tickets, or support groundbreaking brain research by visiting AmericanBrainFoundation.org/gala.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 3w ago

We honor the power of giving through Donor-Advised Funds (DAF). Your DAF gift to the American Brain Foundation fuels life-changing research and advances treatments for brain diseases and disorders. Your DAF donation helps us move closer to breakthroughs. More about DAF Giving ➡️ buff.ly/EXe9sxk

Photo: A couple sitting together outside. Text: Your Donor-Advised Fund Gift fuels life-changing research.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 3w ago

@ufresearch.bsky.social researchers have found that the popular supplement #glucosamine, which many older adults take for joint pain, is linked to faster #dementia progression. It seems to cause too many sugar molecules to get tagged onto proteins in cells.

Research Discovery: Glucosamine, a popular supplement for joint pain, could be linked to faster Alzheimer’s progression.

Key Findings: For patients with mild cognitive impairment, glucosamine use was associated with a 25% greater risk for dementia. For patients with dementia, it was associated with a 25% greater mortality risk. Glucosamine increases the attachment of sugar molecules to proteins in cells, contributing to Alzheimer’s progression.

What’s Next? This analysis only shows an association between glucosamine use and dementia risk, not proof of causation. However, future studies could build on these findings and lead to new treatments that target protein and sugar-tagging in cells.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 3w ago

When Raj was born, her mother’s brain was deprived of oxygen for several minutes. This left her mother unresponsive for the next 40 years. When Raj found ABF, she saw an opportunity to fuel the science that could one day help others like her mother ⬇️ buff.ly/yPNTK3d

Raj's Story - American Brain Foundation

After cerebral hypoxia changed Raj's mother, brain research gave Raj a new perspective and hope for what's possible.

americanbrainfoundation.org

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 4w ago

August is Make-A-Will Month. You can name ABF as a beneficiary in your will, so your assets can fund #BrainResearch. Our partner #FreeWill offers a simple tool to create your will for free, in as little as 20 minutes: buff.ly/KI3Acvc

Image: A photograph of a happy couple sitting together on their couch. Text: You could unlock the next breakthrough.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 4w ago

A recent study suggests that exposure to road noise could lead to increased #Parkinson’s risk. However, further studies are needed to verify if the noise itself causes increased risk or if it’s merely one possible explanation for increased #stress.

Research Discovery: Excess road noise could be an environmental factor that increases risk for Parkinson’s disease.

Key Findings: A study of 3.1 million Danish participants aged 40 and older, over 18 years, found that risk increased by 3% for every 11.5dB increase in noise reaching the most exposed side of a residence.

What’s Next? More research is needed to rule out other possible contributing factors. It’s possible that noise is simply one of many factors that increases stress, which can worsen Parkinson’s symptoms.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 4w ago

The brain is a complex and fascinating organ. You probably learned quite a bit about it in science class, but revisiting some key concepts never hurts. Our latest blog looks at five different aspects of the human brain and explores how it works. Read more here: buff.ly/44zois0

5 things about the brain you learned in school.

Axons can vary in length from as little as a millimeter to more than a meter.

Your brain sends signals at up to 350 miles per hour.

Your gut contains about 500 million neurons. That’s why scientists often talk about the gut-brain connection. Our latest blog is all about brain facts you may have forgotten. Read more at the link in our bio.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · last mo.

Dr. Caghan Kizil, recipient of a 2026 Cure One, Cure Many Award in Neuroinflammation, was featured on PIX11 Morning News in New York. Dr. Kizil discussed #Alzheimers awareness, and how his funded research could contribute to disease prevention. Watch ➡️ buff.ly/pW10gY2

Health Matters: Alzheimer's Awareness

pix11.com

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · last mo.

A @ucalgary.bsky.social study shows that niacin—a high dose of vitamin B3—could help fight #glioblastoma. Niacin appears to revitalize immune cells, halting disease progression, but it can be toxic unless carefully monitored by medical professionals.

Research Discovery: High doses of vitamin B3 could help the immune system battle one of the deadliest brain cancers.

Key Findings: Early results of a clinical trial suggest that niacin may help revive immune cells shut down by glioblastoma tumors. This can help them fight cancer more effectively. After six months, 82% of 24 patients had no signs of disease progression.

What’s Next? The early results of the study are encouraging, but the study currently only includes 24 participants. The team hopes to complete its analysis after doubling the number of participants by early 2027.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · last mo.

Reminder for researchers: This Thursday, July 30, is the deadline to submit applications for the 2027 Next Generation Research Grant in ASXL-Related Neurodevelopmental Diseases. Co-funded by the #ASXL Rare Research Endowment. To apply, please visit here: buff.ly/sFng6o9

Reminder! Thursday, July 30th is the deadline to submit applications for the 2027 Next Generation Research Grant in ASXL-Related Neurodevelopmental Diseases.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · last mo.

This week’s blog discusses genetic brain conditions and the progress of preventative genetic treatments. But even if #GeneTherapy solutions are still not widely available, modifiable behaviors can help delay or prevent symptoms for some genetic diseases. ⬇️ buff.ly/teyJgjd

Managing Genetic Brain Disease Risk - American Brain Foundation

Your genes aren't the whole story. Discover how genetic and environment factors influence brain disease risk and prevention

buff.ly

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · last mo.

Not everyone who develops #tau protein buildups ends up having #Alzheimers. Researchers have identified that microglia switch functions from one phase to another, and this transition may be responsible for the difference.

Research discovery: The transition between two different microglial activities may explain why not everyone who has amyloid and tau protein buildups in their brain cells develops Alzheimer’s.

Key Findings: At a certain point, microglia (the brain’s immune cells) switch from an inflammatory response related to amyloid to an antigen-presenting state related to tau. This second state can still be active in those without Alzheimer’s, so that may be due to how this transition happens.

What's next? Future research that focuses on the nature of this transition of microglia function could lead to new biomarkers to identify Alzheimer’s or potentially targeted therapies to treat or prevent it.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · last mo.

With #wildfire smoke affecting air quality throughout North America, it’s important to take precautions to protect your health. Funded researcher Jill Goslinga, MD, MPH, has been exploring the connection between smoke-polluted air and #ALS risk. Read more: buff.ly/lGvOkW8

Images: Two blended photographs of wildfire and smoke in the forest and the smoky, smoggy skyline of buildings in a city.

Text: The potential hidden connection between air pollution and neurological disease. Evidence shows a connection between environmental toxins and brain diseases and disorders.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · last mo.

Meet Ryan Dhindsa, MD, PhD, a 2026 #CureOneCureMany awardee studying viruses that cause Alzheimer’s, mapping data for possible #Alz vaccines at @bcmhouston.bsky.social. Funded with National MS Society, Gates Ventures, NFL Players Association, Genentech, and WoodNext Foundation. 🔗 buff.ly/M34lU8B

Researcher Spotlight: Ryan Dhindsa, MD, PhD, 2026 Cure One, Cure Many Breakthrough Award Recipient in Neuroinflammation.

Alzheimer’s & neuroinflammation Research: Many chronic neurological conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, have been linked to viral infections, such as SARS-Cov2, HSV-1, and VZV. These viruses cause neuroinflammation, which contributes to the effects of neurodegeneration.

But scientists don’t yet know which viruses contribute to Alzheimer’s risk or why some individuals seem to be more susceptible than others to these viral infections.

Dr. Dhindsa and his team, based at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, will leverage AI to analyze millions of gigabytes of data and identify human genetic variations that increase the risk of virally triggered Alzheimer’s disease and neuroinflammation. These studies could enable new antiviral and vaccination strategies to treat Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Dhindsa will also work with teams led by Artem Babaian, PhD, at the University of Toronto and Caleb Lareau, PhD, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

We're grateful to everyone who has made this research possible.

This $2 million Breakthrough award is funded in collaboration with the National MS Society, Gates Ventures, NFL Players Association, Genentech, the WoodNext Foundation, and donors like you.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Today’s blog post discusses #doomscrolling. Social media smart phone apps make it very easy to continuously read or view negative stories about current events, and this habit-forming behavior can have negative effects on your mental health. Read more buff.ly/ADGX3B7 ⬇️

Doomscrolling and Its Effects on the Brain - American Brain Foundation

Doomscrolling can increase stress and anxiety. Explore its effects on the brain and discover practical tips to regain balance.

buff.ly

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 2mo ago

So far in 2026, the Brain Squad has raised $22,312.17 for brain research! You can join these all-stars by signing up to make a recurring donation in any amount via our website. Cancel or change your donation amount at any time. Thank you, Brain Squad! 💓 🦸 Join the Brain Squad ➡️ buff.ly/vuTIcIi

The American Brain Foundation's Brain Squad of recurring monthly donors has raised over $22,000 for brain research since the start of 2026! Our deepest thanks to these superheroes who are making research in search of the next breakthrough possible. You can join this incredible squad of heroes by clicking the link in the post or our bio.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 2mo ago

What if finding "nothing" is actually progress? Studies that don't confirm their hypothesis still help researchers refine future experiments, avoid repeating mistakes, and move us closer to better treatments. Learn why "null results" are an essential part of science. 🔗 buff.ly/6eo245n

Image: Two nested photographs of neuroscientists in the lab researching the brain.

Text: The Importance of Finding Nothing. Big scientific breakthroughs may get all the attention, but discovering “nothing” is surprisingly important. Learn why research with results that don’t support its hypothesis has a significant impact on the field of neuroscience and how it leads to new discoveries. Read more at the link in our bio.

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Join our fight for a future without brain disease. Please donate to help fuel the research that will lead to cures. Thank you. buff.ly/QMNviFP 💓

American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Today is #ChronicDiseaseDay. Chronic diseases include heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, but also hundreds of brain conditions that affect millions of people. Fortunately, insight derived from research on one condition benefits research on others.

Image: A patient consulting with her healthcare provider.

Text: July tenth (7/10) is Chronic Disease Day.

Image: A woman wiping her eyes with a tissue.

Text: Did you know? 7 out of 10 deaths in the United States are caused by chronic disease.

Image: A patient and his doctor.

Text: Chronic Disease: A condition that lasts one year or more and requires ongoing medical attention or limits daily living or both.

Image: A couple standing together in their kitchen.

Text: When researchers make a useful discovery about one brain condition, it provides relevant insight for others. This is why our donors fund research in many different areas of brain research: it builds cumulative knowledge, which helps get science closer to cures.