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American Brain Foundation
@abfbrain.bsky.social
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We bring researchers and donors together to cure brain disease. #CureOneCureMany

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American Brain Foundation @abfbrain.bsky.social · 13d
Thank you to all donors who contributed to fund brain research this past year and helped us meet our challenge goal! This work is only possible because of donors like you. You are making a difference in the fight against brain disease. 💓 #CureOneCureMany
Thank you to the donors who funded brain research in 2025. Our work is only possible because of donors like you. Thank you!
abfbrain.bsky.social
We’d like to thank Dr. French and Dr. Jensen for their excellent leadership on our Board of Directors since 2020. They helped guide ABF during an exciting time of growth, and we wish them well in the future. Dr. French remains part of the Research Advisory Committee.
Leadership Spotlight: Outgoing Board Members. Thank you to Jacqueline French, MD, FAAN and Frances Jensen, MD, FACP, FAAN for their leadership on the American Brain Foundation Board of Directors.
January 15, 2026 at 8:00 PM
abfbrain.bsky.social
This week’s blog looks at research studies. These documents record research findings and contribute to our understanding of science, but they can be very complex. We’ve provided some guidance on how to read, interpret, and evaluate research studies here.

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How To Read a Research Study - American Brain Foundation
New to scientific papers? Learn how to read a research study about the brain and understand the evidence behind today’s science news.
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January 14, 2026 at 10:00 PM
abfbrain.bsky.social
Researchers at @bumedicine.bsky.social launched the largest-ever #Alzheimers study of African American brain tissue. They discovered an increase in the expression of the gene ADAMTS2, which could be a target for future therapies. #Neurogenetics #Dementia
Research Discovery: A major study of African American brain tissue has led researchers to identify a gene involved in Alzheimer’s disease. Diseases Affected: Alzheimer’s disease Key Findings: In brain tissue from African American individuals with autopsy-confirmed Alzheimer’s disease, scientists noted a 1.5-fold increase in the expression of the gene ADAMTS2, overlapping with similar findings in European American brain tissue. What’s Next? Genetic expression tied to Alzheimer’s disease often differs and shows only modest overlap between European American and African American populations, but the shared expression of ADAMTS2 points to a biological process and a potential therapeutic target to treat or prevent the disease.
January 12, 2026 at 10:00 PM
abfbrain.bsky.social
#Alzheimers disease and #Parkinsons disease both progress due to toxic accumulations of misfolded proteins within brain cells. Parkinson’s specifically affects cells that produce dopamine, a chemical for relaying signals throughout the nervous system. #Neurodegeration #CureOneCureMany
January 8, 2026 at 8:01 PM
abfbrain.bsky.social
Thank you to all donors who contributed to fund brain research this past year and helped us meet our challenge goal! This work is only possible because of donors like you. You are making a difference in the fight against brain disease. 💓 #CureOneCureMany
Thank you to the donors who funded brain research in 2025. Our work is only possible because of donors like you. Thank you!
January 6, 2026 at 8:00 PM
abfbrain.bsky.social
American Brain Foundation board member Richard Ransohoff, MD, lends his medical and scientific expertise to this article, which discusses a link between #microplastics and increased risk of #MultipleSclerosis #MS #PFOS #PFAS

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Common household chemicals linked to increased risk of serious neurological condition
New Swedish research finds that people with highest microplastics and PFAS levels face double the risk of multiple sclerosis diagnosis compared to others.
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January 6, 2026 at 12:01 AM
abfbrain.bsky.social
Researchers have identified a distinct biomarker common to several major psychiatric disorders, detectable using non-invasive brain imaging. This biomarker could enable more precise diagnoses and better match patients with effective therapies. #Schizophrenia #Depression #Bipolar #MentalHealth
Research Discovery: Researchers have discovered a biomarker shared by several psychiatric disorders. This is a specific brain network pattern that is observable in noninvasive imaging. Diseases Affected: Schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and more Key Findings: The study identified a brain network pattern linked to immune system dysfunction. Patients with scans showing this pattern of activity also had higher blood inflammation ratios (such as neutrophil to lymphocytes) and showed less improvement with conventional treatments. What’s Next? This study provides a biological indicator for certain types of psychiatric disorders, and in the future, this biomarker could play a role in helping psychiatrists diagnose and properly treat patients.
January 5, 2026 at 6:00 PM
abfbrain.bsky.social
Today is the LAST day to meet our challenge, which will DOUBLE the impact of gifts in any amount. If you haven’t yet contributed, please do so now, so that your gift will fund TWICE as much research. Thank you again, and have a wonderful New Year!

DOUBLE Your Donation ➡️ buff.ly/17cDaX1 💓
Image: Two scientists working together in a lab. Text: Reminder today is the last day to double your donation with our challenge match.
December 31, 2025 at 4:03 PM
abfbrain.bsky.social
Tomorrow is the last day of our challenge, which will DOUBLE the impact of donations in any amount. Your support before tomorrow will fund independent grants, so that brilliant researchers can get us all closer to cures for brain disease. Thank you!

DOUBLE Your Donation: buff.ly/H7GqEj5 💓
December 30, 2025 at 4:03 PM
abfbrain.bsky.social
Scientists at UCSF Weil Institute for Neurosciences used CRISPR to stop #seizures in mice. Human children with SCN2A haploinsufficiency often have #epilepsy and neurodevelopmental delays. But boosting the healthy gene’s protein production might be a solution. #EpilepsyResearch
Research Discovery: CRISPR can be used to stop seizures in mice (and potentially human children) who have a mutation in one of their two SCN2A genes. Diseases Affected: SCN2A haploinsufficiency, epilepsy, neurodevelopmental delays, and autism. Key Findings: CRISPR gene editing was used to increase the protein production of the healthy SCN2A gene, to compensate for the defective gene. This restored normal levels and signaling that stopped the seizures from happening. What’s Next? While the experiment was successful in mice, the researchers caution that too much of any protein can be dangerous. More work is needed to determine the safety of this type of treatment for humans.
December 29, 2025 at 4:03 PM
abfbrain.bsky.social
There are hundreds of known brain diseases, and once a month, we add another entry to our “Brain Diseases from A to Z” page. Each one features a description, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis methods, treatment options, and research efforts. Explore here: buff.ly/vda4tDm
December 27, 2025 at 4:03 PM
abfbrain.bsky.social
Brain diseases can strike without warning, and they can change life substantially. Our best hope is to invest in research to find better treatments, preventions, and cures. You can help keep research moving forward ➡️ buff.ly/mppVYyc 💓
December 26, 2025 at 4:03 PM
abfbrain.bsky.social
In our latest blog, we look back at highlights from the past year. While federal budget cuts to NIH severely hurt the field of brain research, your support for independent research grants has been truly inspiring. Thank you!

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2025 Year In Review - American Brain Foundation
This has been a momentous year for the American Brain Foundation and the work that our donors support. We recap some of the highlights.
www.americanbrainfoundation.org
December 24, 2025 at 4:01 PM
abfbrain.bsky.social
Reminder: Thanks to a $50,000 challenge, all donations received before December 31 will make DOULBE the impact! With scientific research under threat due to federal budget cuts, your help is needed to keep discovery on course. Thank you so much!

DOUBLE your impact ➡️ buff.ly/IiJ5sXU 💓
December 23, 2025 at 4:02 PM
abfbrain.bsky.social
Solstices can mess with our sense of night and day, but so can #Alzheimers disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, researchers at Washington University found that the disease disrupts the brain’s internal clock. #Brainsky #WinterSolstice
Research Discovery: Alzheimer’s disease disrupts the brain’s internal clock, causing patients to lose track of day and night before they lose memories. Diseases Affected: Alzheimer’s disease Key Findings: Alzheimer's disease disrupts the brain’s natural circadian cycle, which not only cause confusion about day and night for the people, but also for their brain’s support cells, which prevents them from clearing out harmful amyloid protein buildups, which destroy neurons. What’s Next? Researchers believe that this finding could set the stage for a new type of therapy to restore or stabilize the brain’s internal rhythm and slow disease progression.
December 22, 2025 at 6:02 PM
abfbrain.bsky.social
A brain disease can change everything. Together, we can make sure research continues, so that cures can be discovered. You can help. Donate before December 31 to DOUBLE your impact ➡️ buff.ly/AIgYgM0 💓
December 20, 2025 at 8:02 PM
abfbrain.bsky.social
Researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health have discovered how prenatal exposure to the #insecticide #chlorpyrifos (CPF) has lasting effects on the brain, reduce motor skills in children and adolescents. #Brainsky #PublicHealth
Research Discovery: The common insecticide chlorpyrifos (CFP) causes brain damage, leading to poor motor skills in children and adolescents. Key Findings: Researchers determined that prenatal exposure to CFP causes structural and functional brain damage among children in New York City, with severity in direct proportion to the level of exposure. Affected children performed poorly on tests to measure motor speed and coordination. “Current widespread exposures, at levels comparable to those experienced in this sample, continue to place farm workers, pregnant women, and unborn children in harm’s way. It is vitally important that we continue to monitor the levels of exposure in potentially vulnerable populations, especially in pregnant women in agricultural communities, as their infants continue to be at risk”, said Virginia Rauh, ScD, Columbia Mailman School. What’s Next? This research shows exactly how prenatal CFP exposure damages the brain. Reinstating the ban on its use in agricultural applications could likely protect people from these severe effects.
December 19, 2025 at 8:02 PM
abfbrain.bsky.social
Today’s blog post looks at the state of research in 2025, particularly the impact of this past February’s drastic cuts to the #NIH budget. #Neuroscience #BrainResearch

🧠 Read more: buff.ly/KvDnW79 ⬇️
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December 18, 2025 at 8:11 PM
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Researchers at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health conducted two studies that show how early-life financial hardship is linked to higher mortality risk and premature deaths.
Research Discovery: Individuals who experience sustained or intermittent poverty are statistically more likely to die prematurely. Diseases Affected: Any, though long-term stress is known to negatively affect cardiovascular health and brain health. Key Findings: Researchers at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health conducted two studies that show how early-life financial hardship is linked to higher mortality risk. One study looked at income, the other at debt. What’s Next? The studies show that poverty and strained financial resources significantly affect health outcomes, including premature mortality. Financial well-being is a dynamic factor with varying effects on long-term health across different periods.
December 15, 2025 at 10:00 PM
abfbrain.bsky.social
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
December 12, 2025 at 8:03 PM
abfbrain.bsky.social
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
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.
December 11, 2025 at 8:01 PM
abfbrain.bsky.social
#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 ⬇️
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.
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December 10, 2025 at 8:00 PM
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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 💓
December 9, 2025 at 8:30 PM
abfbrain.bsky.social
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
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.
December 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM
abfbrain.bsky.social
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
December 6, 2025 at 8:02 PM