Today, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton announced the introduction of a new bill which aims to fund research into environmental causes of neurodegenerative disease.
Wexton, a Democrat from Virginia, has been diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a form of atypical parkinsonism, which has significantly impacted her movement, gait, and speech. As a member of Congress, she has valiantly used her national platform to raise awareness of neurodegenerative conditions and was instrumental in the passing of the Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Honorable Jennifer Wexton National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act, which was recently signed into law and is now known as the National Parkinson’s Project.
Wexton, along with Representative Gus Bilirakis of Florida, introduced the bill called the “Harmonizing Environmental Analyses and Launching Therapeutic Hubs to Yield Bolstered Research And Innovation in Neurological Science (HEALTHY BRAINS) Act,” H.R. 9233, into the House of Representatives. The Healthy Brains Act builds on the success of the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) previous Centers for Neurodegeneration Science to catalyze the advancement of research into the environmental risks for neurodegenerative diseases.
Specifically, the legislation will direct the NIH to establish Collaborative Centers for Neurodegenerative Disease Environmental Research to conduct and support basic, applied, and clinical research on the effects of environmental risk factors. In doing so, each Center will work in collaboration with relevant partners and stakeholders, including researchers, health professionals, nonprofit organizations, and community members with lived experiences. The bill also encourages each Center to pursue related activities and goals, such as establishing a nationwide neurodegenerative disease data system, creating a clearinghouse to facilitate and enhance knowledge and understanding of environmental risk factors of neurodegenerative diseases, and providing training and educational opportunities to foster a national focus on environmental risk factors of neurodegenerative diseases.
Unlike the new National Parkinson’s Project, which will focus specifically on Parkinson’s disease (PD) and tackle a variety of challenges of life with PD, the Healthy Brains Act is in support of all neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer’s, ALS, Parkinson’s, and others) and is focused specifically on environmental risk factors.
APDA’s Dr. Rebecca Gilbert was present at a press conference on Capitol Hill on August 1, organized by Representative Wexton’s office, at which the introduction of the legislation was highlighted. Congresswoman Wexton explained the bill using her AI-assisted speaking device that allows her words to be expressed in a voice designed to replicate her own. Dr. Gilbert commented, “Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton’s determination and accomplishments could not be more impressive. She is facing her significant challenges head on, using her platform to affect real change, and bringing hope to many who battle similar conditions. She is an inspiration to everyone who hears her story.”
APDA has endorsed the Healthy Brains Act and will follow its progress as it makes its way through both Houses of Congress. We will keep you posted on new developments.
