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Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) introduced the Harmonizing Environmental Analyses and Launching Therapeutic Hubs to Yield Bolstered Research And Innovation in Neurological Science (HEALTHY BRAINS) Act to bolster research into the environmental risks factors, including environmental toxicants exposures, of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and atypical parkinsonian disorders (e.g., progressive supranuclear palsy), Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis (MS). 

“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 Rep. Wexton. “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.”

“We know that research is the key to developing a better understanding of diseases and holds the promise for the development of more effective treatments and potential cures,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “Through the HEALTHY BRAINS Act we are investing in research that will hopefully help us better understand the underlying factors that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.  I am optimistic about how the implications can help us improve health outcomes for millions of Americans who are suffering with these horrific ailments.”

The HEALTHY BRAINS Act would catalyze the advancement of research into the environmental risks for neurodegenerative diseases by directing the National Institutes of Health (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 would work in collaboration with relevant partners and stakeholders, including researchers, health professionals, nonprofit organizations, patients, and caregivers. The bill additionally encourages Centers to pursue discretionary activities and goals, such as establishing a nationwide neurodegenerative disease data system, creating a clearinghouse to facilitate and enhance knowledge of relevant environmental risk factors, or providing training and educational opportunities to foster a national focus on environmental risk factors of neurodegenerative diseases.

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. For example, most Parkinson’s disease cases – 73 to 90 percent – cannot be attributed to genetic inheritance alone, implicating environmental exposures as a major cause of disease risk and progression. While some of these factors are known, such as the chemical Trichloroethylene (TCE), more research is needed to fully understand the breadth and depth of the potential dangers and their impacts.

“The introduction of the HEALTHY BRAINS Act in the House is a much-needed step forward in better understanding, treating and someday curing and preventing neurological diseases including Parkinson’s disease and atypical parkinsonisms,” said Ted Thompson, senior vice president of public policy at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. “Millions of Americans stand to benefit from a concerted federal effort to examine the effects of dangerous and harmful environmental risk factors for disease. The Michael J. Fox Foundation applauds Representatives Wexton and Bilirakis for their unwavering leadership on this issue and looks forward to continuing our work together.”

“As a neurologist, I understand the importance of research into risk factors that can lead to neurological conditions. The Healthy Brains Act is an important step towards identifying how such factors in our air, water, food and soil may affect brain health. The American Academy of Neurology is proud to support this bill that will help promote brain health for all,” said Carlayne E. Jackson, MD, FAAN, President American Academy of Neurology. 

“The American Brain Coalition (ABC) supports, enthusiastically, the Healthy Brains Act. This legislation represents a significant step towards understanding and mitigating the impact of environmental risk factors for neurodegenerative and other brain diseases, ensuring a healthier future for our communities. By putting appropriate and sufficient resources in the hands of experts supported by NIH, we can empower healthcare professionals and the public with a growing body of knowledge about environmental risk factors and, later, the tools needed to prevent and combat environmentally-related brain diseases,” said Mark M. Rasenick, PhD, Chair, American Brain Coalition 

“ALS is a devastating and fatal neurological disease that can strike anyone at any age. Enactment of the HEALTHY BRAINS Act will help to identify environmental risk factors and lead to the development of new treatments and strategies to prevent ALS and other similar diseases. We are so grateful to Congresswoman Wexton for her leadership and our hearts are with her as she battles progressive supra-nuclear palsy. We also thank Congressman Bilirakis for leading this critically important effort, which is an important step in the fight to stop ALS and other neurological diseases that destroy lives and families,” said Calaneet Balas, President and CEO of the ALS Association. 

"A common question we hear after someone receives a neurological diagnosis is "Could this have been caused by something I was exposed to in my life?". Unfortunately, for PSP and many other neurodegenerative diseases, we do not have a lot of answers at this time. The HEALTHY BRAINS Act will create an organized effort to better understand the relationship between environmental risk factors and neurodegenerative diseases and will accelerate critical research in this space. CurePSP looks forward to working with Representatives Wexton and Bilirakis, our community, and other advocacy partners to support this effort," said Jessica Shurer, MSW, LCSW, Director of Clinical Affairs and Advocacy at CurePSP.

“We applaud efforts to bring greater recognition to the impacts of toxic chemicals like PFAS and toxic pesticides like paraquat on our brains. For decades, chemical companies hid these risks and we’re all paying the price. We are grateful that Rep. Wexton is making brain health and the harms caused by toxic chemicals a top priority. The foods and everyday products we bring into our homes should be free of toxins that harm our brains,” said Scott Faber, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at the Environmental Working Group.

Since being diagnosed last year with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Rep. Wexton has been a champion in the fight to promote better brain health. Wexton was a champion for the National Plan End Parkinson’s Act, which was signed into law last month, and has advocated for greater regulation of Trichloroethylene (TCE), a chemical that has been tied to Parkinson’s Disease and related parkinsonisms.

The HEALTHY BRAINS Act is supported by the American Academy of Neurology, American Brain Coalition, Michael J. Fox Foundation, ALS Association, I AM ALS, American Parkinson Disease Association, CurePSP, Lewy Body Dementia Association, The Multiple System Atrophy Coalition, Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance, PD Avengers, Environmental Working Group, Brian Grant Foundation, Dallas Area Parkinson Society, Power Over Parkinson's, and Davis Phinney Foundation.

The full text of the HEALTHY BRAINS Act can be found here.

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