BrightFocus Foundation

Alzheimer’s disease has long been linked to toxic brain proteins, but growing evidence suggests a certain immune cell may also play an important role.  BrightFocus Alzheimer’s Disease Research grant recipient Dr. Joshua Emmerson is studying how immune T cells may worsen brain damage — and whether blocking them could help protect neurons. Learn more. ↘️ brightfocus.org/news/can-targe…

Many people diagnosed with wet AMD arrive at their first appointment without understanding their diagnosis, their treatment, or why consistency matters. Dr. Manuel Amador addresses that gap directly in our latest Macular Chat, covering today's treatment options, early detection, key risk factors, and the real consequences of delayed or missed injections for visual prognosis. 🎧 Full episode at: brightfocus.org/resource/takin…

In recognition of Healthy Vision Month, Amy D. Zhang, MD, of the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center joins our Glaucoma Chat to discuss what scientists are learning about nutrients, caffeine, alcohol, and eye health. Live at 1 pm ET: BrightFocus.org/livechatNGR

A simple sleeping pill could potentially stave off Alzheimer’s disease. BrightFocus Alzheimer’s Disease Research grant recipient Dr. Ksenia Kastanenka is studying how improving sleep could protect the brain and open new paths for treatment. Learn more. 🔗 ↘️ brightfocus.org/news/can-bette…

Join tomorrow’s episode of Zoom In on Dementia & Alzheimer’s to hear Dr. Jason Hinman explain how disrupted blood flow to the brain can lead to cognitive decline, how vascular dementia differs from (and often overlaps with) Alzheimer’s disease, and what the latest research means for prevention and treatment. Watch live at 1 p.m. ET ⤵️ youtube.com/live/-96mmaVqJ…

This just in: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a combination of two repurposed drugs to help treat Alzheimer’s-associated agitation. In clinical trials, Auvelity helped reduce agitation without worsening cognition—a key concern with many existing treatments. What this means for families: bit.ly/4w79mgM

Where does Alzheimer's research stand today, and what does the road ahead look like? Dr. Jeffrey Cummings breaks it down, covering: 🔬 How biomarkers are improving the tools we use to run clinical trials 📋 Prevention trials in progress, with some results potentially expected this year 💊 Questions being studied around treating people before symptoms appear 📉 What the field is learning from negative trials, including a recent, well-conducted Ozempic study Watch the full episode for an inside look at where Alzheimer's treatment development stands today: bit.ly/3QALYYN

👁️ We’re celebrating 5 exceptional vision scientists whose proposals were ranked among the most promising and selected to receive BrightFocus Foundation’s top vision research awards. > Celia Bisbach, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison > David Veysset, PhD, Mass General Brigham > Lily (Wenjing) Wu, PhD, University of Oklahoma Health Campus > Jeremy Sivak, PhD, University Health Network > Tyson Kim, MD, PhD, University of California, San Francisco These investigators are advancing bold, innovative ideas that hold real promise for improving prevention, treatments, and ultimately cures for macular degeneration and glaucoma—two leading causes of vision loss worldwide. 🔬 💪 We’re also thrilled to recognize all of our newly awarded vision grantees, whose groundbreaking work is strengthening the future of vision research. We look forward to honoring this remarkable group next week at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting. Read more: bit.ly/3OPHLQo

Tomorrow's Macular Chat will stream live at 1:00 p.m. ET! Kapil Bharti, PhD, will join us to explore whether cell therapy could one day repair or replace damaged retinal cells in macular degeneration and what the science looks like right now. Listen live. ↘️ BrightFocus.org/livechatMDR

Grown from stem cells, these retinal ganglion cells—with their striking blue “wires”—are the eye’s messengers, carrying information from the retina to the brain so we can see! Glaucoma damages these cells, leading to vision loss. 📸 Dr. Shruti Patil, a BrightFocus Foundation National Glaucoma Research grant recipient. She is growing these cells to better understand how to protect them and preserve sight. By recreating these cells in the lab, researchers can test potential treatments and better understand the disease mechanisms at play, bringing us closer to effective interventions. Discover more: bit.ly/3ZECih5

Each day, thousands of families are changed by Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. We’re investing in answers. BrightFocus Foundation is proud to announce $15.2 million in new grants to fund the brightest minds working to defeat these diseases worldwide. This year’s portfolio reflects a broad range of innovative approaches, spanning areas like AI-powered detection of brain and eye diseases, regenerative medicine, and the role of biological sex in disease risk and treatment. 🔬 Explore more: brightfocus.org/Grants2026

Can TV be genuinely supportive for someone living with dementia? On April 23, Allyson Schrier joins us to share how research following her experience caring for her husband with dementia led her to create Zinnia TV, a streaming service designed to engage people living with memory loss. Register ↘️

For millions of people, age-related macular degeneration begins with something invisible: a slow accumulation of cellular debris deep in the retina that triggers inflammation and vision loss. BrightFocus Macular Degeneration Research-funded researcher Dr. Neetu Kushwah is zeroing in on a little-known protein that could explain why this occurs and open the door to new treatments. Read more. ⤵️ brightfocus.org/news/how-under…

Scientists are developing a new pill-based Alzheimer’s treatment that targets a different pathway than the medications already on the market. At #ADPD2026, Anavex Life Sciences presented encouraging mid-to-late stage clinical trial results for blarcamesine, suggesting the pill may slow the disease’s progression. To read about this and more top Alzheimer's headlines in our Breaking News Dispatch, supported by sponsorship funding from Lilly, visit: bit.ly/41c8HfG.

Join us today as Dr. Michael Detke shares details about the SPRING trial studying an investigational oral drug aimed at reducing brain damage linked to the gum‑disease bacteria P. gingivalis. If you or someone you care for has mild to moderate Alzheimer’s, this episode also outlines who may qualify for the clinical trial and what involvement looks like for both patients and caregivers. WATCH LIVE ↘️ youtube.com/live/y2o7wtfOS…

Black and Hispanic communities face a significantly higher risk of glaucoma and often experience barriers to early diagnosis and treatment. In recognition of National Minority Health Month, Dr. Victoria Tseng joins Glaucoma Chats on April 8 to discuss the latest research on glaucoma disparities, cultural and healthcare barriers, and why early screening is critical to protecting vision. Register now to ask your questions live: bit.ly/47rwkV2 #NationalMinorityHealthMonth #NMHM2026, #HealthEquity

“Early-stage research like ours is critical because it explores why disease processes occur, not just what they look like. Without dedicated funding for curiosity-driven, high-risk/high-reward projects, we could miss important biological mechanisms that are essential for real breakthroughs.” - Macular Degeneration Research grantee Dr. Neetu Kushwah Dr. Kushwah is uncovering how a breakdown in the retina's ability to process fatty molecules may be quietly driving macular degeneration. Her research could hold the key to new treatments. Read more: brightfocus.org/news/how-under… #Science #Research #MacularDegeneration

#BreakingNews from #ADPD2026: an incredible array of new treatment approaches to address unmet needs for people living with Alzheimer’s. Researchers presented promising data on a pill-based treatment for Alzheimer’s, while a structured set of lifestyle changes designed to reduce Alzheimer’s risk was shown to remain effective more than 10 years later. Read the top Alzheimer’s stories you won’t want to miss: bit.ly/3PKXUXi

Cognitive changes don’t always mean Alzheimer’s. Join today’s episode of Zoom In on Dementia & Alzheimer’s to explore the early #Alzheimers symptoms to watch for, other medical issues that may look like dementia, and why early conversations with your doctor matter. Watch live at 1 p.m. today: youtube.com/live/LF1arJTrz…

Research rises when we rise together. Now, more than ever, scientists need champions—people who will stand with them when funding is uncertain and celebrate with them when breakthroughs happen. Get a free Rise Up For Research sticker to show your commitment to science. Every breakthrough starts with support. Be part of the movement. Visit BrightFocus.org/RiseUp to claim yours. #RiseUpForResearch #ScienceMatters #Science

One in four people carries a gene that raises their risk of Alzheimer's disease. Most don't know it. Dr. Eric M. Reiman breaks down what he would tell someone considering APOE genetic testing. Watch the full episode to find out what the APOE4 gene means for your risk, what current treatments exist, and how carrying this gene does not mean an Alzheimer's diagnosis is inevitable ➡️ bit.ly/3PGrc9m.