Bilirakis and Subramanyam Reintroduce HEALTHY BRAINS Act to Advance Research on Environmental Causes of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Washington, D.C. - Earlier today, U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12) and Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10) introduced the Harmonizing Environmental Analyses and Launching Therapeutic Hubs to Yield Bolstered Research and Innovation in Neurological Science (HEALTHY BRAINS) Act, legislation designed to strengthen research into environmental risk factors-including toxicant exposure-associated with neurodegenerative diseases. More than 50 million people worldwide are living with neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease and atypical parkinsonian disorders such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Growing scientific evidence indicates that environmental factors may play a significant role in the development and progression of many of these conditions. For example, studies suggest that between 73 and 90 percent of Parkinson's disease cases cannot be attributed to genetic inheritance alone, implicating environmental exposures as a major contributor to disease risk. Certain toxicants-such as the industrial chemical trichloroethylene (TCE)-have already been linked to an increased risk of Parkinson's disease. However, researchers agree that significantly more work is needed to fully understand the scope of environmental threats and their long-term impacts on neurological health.

"We know that research is the key to developing a better understanding of disease and holds the promise of more effective treatments-and ultimately, cures," saidCongressman Bilirakis. "Through the HEALTHY BRAINS Act, we are investing in research that will help scientists better understand the environmental factors that may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's. I am optimistic that this work will lead to improved health outcomes for millions of Americans suffering from these devastating conditions."

"We know far too little about the environmental factors that may increase the risk for neurodegenerative disorders," Rep. Subramanyamsaid. "These diseases rob individuals of their mobility, memory, independence, and most importantly, time. This bill will ensure vital research is conducted so we can get answers for patients and their families. Thank you to my friend and mentor Jennifer Wexton, the original author of the HEALTHY BRAINS Act."

"The American Brain Coalition is proud to support the HEALTHY BRAINS Act. Understanding how environmental exposures impact brain health is essential to reducing risk, improving prevention strategies, and strengthening outcomes for individuals and families living with neurological disease. By supporting research and training through the NIH, this legislation advances a coordinated, evidence-based approach to protecting brain health across the lifespan," saidJennifer French, Chair of the American Brain Coalition.

"The HEALTHY BRAINS Act represents an important step forward for individuals and families affected by ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. By strengthening NIH research into environmental and occupational risk factors, this legislation will help accelerate prevention-focused research and advance the development of treatments capable of slowing or halting disease progression," said Melanie Lendnal, Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at The ALS Association.

"The HEALTHY BRAINS Act is a critical step toward protecting Americans living with neurodegenerative diseases today while helping prevent future cases. By strengthening federal research focused on environmental risk factors, this legislation will help advance prevention strategies and improve outcomes for individuals affected by Parkinson's disease and related disorders," said the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA).