American Brain Foundation

GRANTS: In 2023, the American Brain Foundation funded Next Generation Research Grants in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS); Alzheimer's; Cognitive Aging and Age-Related Memory Loss; Epilepsy; Frontotemporal Degeneration; Lewy Body Dementia; Migraine; Multiple Sclerosis; Muscular Dystrophy; Neuromuscular Disease; Parkinson's Disease; Peripheral Neuropathy; Stroke; Tourette Syndrome; and Neurological Healthcare Disparities. These are two- and three-year innovative clinical research projects that launch research careers. Over 95% of the nearly 300 investigators the foundation has funded have received additional research funding from the NIH and other entities to continue the research started with our grants. The American Brain Foundation also continued to lead the development and funding of an initiative to find a biomarker for the early diagnosis of Lewy body dementia with partners the Alzheimer's Association, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and the American Academy of Neurology. We expect this research to lead to more clarity and effective therapies for people struggling with LBD, and to increase our understanding of other neurodegenerative brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

PUBLIC OUTREACH: The American Brain Foundation continued to invest in a large-scale public awareness campaign with the purpose of educating the public about the need for brain disease research. The multi-channel campaign provided resources and information about brain diseases and disorders, the latest brain research news, and stories from patients and caregivers. The American Brain Foundation produced free monthly webinars with neurology experts for the public on topics such as Deep Brain Stimulation, Sleep and the Brain, and Migraine Research and Treatment. The Commitment to Cures gala was a hybrid event and was attended by nearly 2,000 people and raised over $850,000. All key performance indicators for public outreach exceeded goals. Comparing 2022 to 2021, Social media followers increased 51%, website traffic increased 50%, and email subscribers increased 31%.

AWARDS: The American Brain Foundation honored leaders in the fight against brain disease-both scientists and members of the public. Among these were the prestigious Potamkin Prize in Pick's, Alzheimer's, and Related Diseases, and the Sheila Essey Award for Research in ALS. Other awards included the Public Leadership in Neurology Award, given to Arianna Huffington for raising public awareness of the importance of sleep and brain health, and the Scientific Breakthrough Award, given to Josep Dalmau, MD, PhD and Vanda Lennon, MD, PhD for transforming the field of autoimmune and paraneoplastic neurology. We also gave humanitarian and lifetime achievement awards, including the Association of Indian Neurologists in American Lifetime Achievement Award; the Mridha Spirit of Neurology Award; and the Ted M. Burns Humanism in Neurology Award, and underwrote numerous AAN Scientific Awards, including the Dreifuss-Penry Epilepsy Award; Norman Geschwind Prize in Behavioral Neurology; Mitchell B. Max Award for Neuropathic Pain; Movement Disorders Research Award; Michael S. Pessin Stroke Leadership Prize; Sleep Science Award, Neuro-oncology Scientific Award, Neuroinfectious Disease Award, and many others.