A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would establish a research program to study how environmental factors link to neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and atypical Parkinsonian disorders, among others.
The Harmonizing Environmental Analyses and Launching Therapeutic Hubs to Yield Bolstered Research and Innovation in Neurological Science (Healthy Brains) Act — H.R. 9233 — was introduced in August by Reps. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) and Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.).
Wexton has been diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), which the Mayo Clinic described as a rare brain disease that affects walking, balance, eye movement, and swallowing. People with PSP can also experience neck stiffness, increased risk of falling, slurred or slowed speech, light sensitivity, rigid facial muscles, and dizziness.
“Neurodegenerative diseases currently affect more than 50 million people worldwide, and as one of those people impacted, I understand firsthand how devastating these diseases are for them and their families,” said Wexton in an August press release issued by her office. “The best way we can do better for these families is by ensuring no other family has to go through what theirs, and mine, have.
“We have a lot of work to do to understand how to prevent these diseases in the first place. That’s why I’m proud to lead the bipartisan Healthy Brains Act alongside my friend, Rep. Bilirakis, to step up our work to research how environmental factors lead to neurodegenerative diseases like my PSP and help save lives.”
Establishing centers for research
“The Healthy Brains Act would catalyze the advancement of research into the environmental risks for neurodegenerative diseases by directing the National Institutes of Health 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,” the press release added. “In doing so, each center would work in collaboration with relevant partners and stakeholders, including researchers, health professionals, nonprofit organizations, patients and caregivers.
“More than 50 million people worldwide are impacted by neurodegenerative diseases. There is evidence that demonstrates many of these diseases may have significant environmental risk factors, including environmental toxins.”
ALS News Today noted that if the bill becomes law, it would “mark the first time federal funds have been explicitly allocated to preventing these debilitating conditions and understanding the role of chemical exposure in the development of neurological diseases.”
The bill is supported by a number of clinical and advocacy organizations, including the American Academy of Neurology, the ALS Association, the American Brain Coalition, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, CurePSP, the American Parkinson Disease Association, and the Lewy Body Dementia Association.
