AES Signs Onto Letter Requesting Continued Funding for the NIH BRAIN Initiative

Dear Chair Baldwin, Ranking Member Capito, Chair Aderholt, and Ranking Member DeLauro, 

The undersigned members of the brain health community are grateful for the robust investment the Committee has provided for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative in recent years. The steady commitment to investing in neuroscience is helping researchers make discoveries that fundamentally change and improve our understanding of how the human brain works and is opening the door to innovative technologies and treatments for brain-related diseases and disorders. Only through research will the causes, cures, and ultimately the prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders be found. As such, we respectfully request that you provide at least $740 million for the BRAIN Initiative in FY 2025.  

Despite tremendous progress, brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, autism, epilepsy, schizophrenia, depression, and traumatic brain injury, are projected to be some of the most disabling and costly chronic diseases in the 21st century. One in three Americans will have a brain or nervous system disorder sometime in their life and the cost of treating neurological disorders is nearly $1.5 trillion each year. The BRAIN Initiative is revolutionizing our understanding of the brain and offering hope for the millions of individuals impacted by brain diseases, disorders, and injuries.  

Notably, 2023 brought many groundbreaking advancements in neuroscience research. Some of the BRAIN Initiative’s 2023 achievements include a study on how spinal cord stimulations helps restore arm and hand function after paralysis,¹ a study in which scientists were able to identify biomarkers associated with chronic pain disorders caused by strokes or amputation,² a revolutionary study on how to promote brain health in aging,³ and a study in which deep brain stimulation (DBS) promoted recovery of upper limb function in stroke patients.4 The year concluded with the monumental neuroscience news that the BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network (BICCN) program, for the first time ever, created a cell atlas of a whole mouse brain and a draft cell atlas of the human brain. These multidisciplinary findings bring researchers closer to understanding the brain’s cellular makeup and how brain disorders develop, progress, and are best treated. Ultimately, we strongly encourage you to further your support for the BRAIN Initiative to ensure that these exciting advancements in neuroscience continue.  

As representatives of the brain community and supporters of the BRAIN Initiative, we are enthusiastic about the discoveries that will be possible through your continued support of this innovative program. Thank you for considering our request for at least $740 million for the BRAIN Initiative in FY 2025. If you have questions or would like further information, please reach out to the American Brain Coalition’s Executive Director, Katie Sale at ksale@americanbraincoalition.org.  

Sincerely,

¹ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10291889/

Washington, DC 20510