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

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@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
November 26, 2025 at 8:00 PM
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.

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Chasing the Light: How Creativity Supported Susan Schneider Williams and Robin Williams Through LBD
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…
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November 25, 2025 at 9:04 PM
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
November 24, 2025 at 6:35 PM
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
November 22, 2025 at 8:00 PM
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
November 18, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Reposted by American Brain Foundation
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! 🙂🎉
November 16, 2025 at 5:53 PM
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.
Cavernoma (Cavernous Malformation) | American Brain Foundation
Discover what causes cavernomas, their symptoms, and the latest research on treatments for this rare brain condition.
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November 15, 2025 at 4:00 PM
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:
Start a Fundraiser - American Brain Foundation
Brain disease affects billions. We're trying to get to zero.
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November 14, 2025 at 9:01 PM
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:
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.
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November 13, 2025 at 9:15 PM
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
November 8, 2025 at 5:01 PM
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
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.
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November 5, 2025 at 9:01 PM
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
November 4, 2025 at 5:02 PM
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.

November 3, 2025 at 9:06 PM
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

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.
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October 29, 2025 at 8:01 PM
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
October 27, 2025 at 8:02 PM
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
October 25, 2025 at 4:03 PM
#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.
October 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
This week’s blog recaps last month’s Meet the Researchers webinar, which featured seven of this year’s Next Generation Research Grant recipients. The full #webinar is now archived on our YouTube channel. Read about the remarkable work they’re doing buff.ly/9pocjIo ⬇️ #BrainResearch #BrainSky
Meet the Researchers Webinar Recap - American Brain Foundation
See how American Brain Foundation Next Generation Research Grants fuel bold new discoveries in brain disease research.
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October 23, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Congratulations to Dr. Jacqueline Palmer of the University of Minnesota Medical School, who has been awarded a major NIH grant to study “fast-moving SuperAgers.” Her team hopes to gain important insights to prevent age-related decline and disability:
Junior faculty member awarded $2.2 million through NIH to investigate fast-moving SuperAgers
Jacqueline Palmer, PT, DPT, PhD, has been awarded a $2.2 million New Innovator Award from the National Institutes of Health’s High Risk, High Reward Research program.
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October 19, 2025 at 4:30 PM
#ALS and #FTD have much in common, with overlapping genetic characteristics, causes, and protein deposits in nerve cells. We fund research across the entire spectrum of brain disease: discoveries that lead to a cure for one could lead to cures for others. #NeurodegenerativeDisease
October 17, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Researchers at @jhu.edu used stem cells to grow tiny brain-like structures called #organoids. Through machine-learning, they identified a signature bioelectrical signal for #schizophrenia and #bipolar disorder.
October 16, 2025 at 6:03 PM
CADASIL is a rare genetic disorder that causes the thickening of blood vessel walls, blocking blood flow to the brain. Patients experience migraine, strokes, and gradual cognitive decline toward dementia. More about #CADASIL on our new A-to-Z page here: buff.ly/uqlfaIv
CADASIL - American Brain Foundation
Learn what causes CADASIL, its symptoms, and the latest research advancing diagnosis and treatment of this rare brain disorder.
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October 15, 2025 at 8:01 PM
💡 Meet 2025 Next Generation Researcher Giovanna Pilonieta, PhD, DDS, studying modifiable health behaviors, mental health, and #CognitiveFunction at UAB Birmingham. Funded with McKnight Brain Research Foundation and @aanmember.bsky.social. 🧠 Read more ➡️ buff.ly/rA78SBq #BrainHealth #Neuroscience
October 12, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Board member Joanne Smikle, PhD, presents a new episode of her podcast #SmikleSpeaks with Super Bowl champion, #BrainHealth #advocate, and public speaker Ben Utecht. Dr. Smikle talks with him about his new book, The Champion’s Creed. 🎧 Listen Now ➡️ buff.ly/M9qQcCH
October 11, 2025 at 4:03 PM
If your ears are “ringing,” or you are hearing a “phantom” sound without any external source, this is called #Tinnitus. There are many possible causes, including hearing loss. Fortunately, tinnitus and #HearingLoss can be treated.
October 10, 2025 at 8:02 PM