Georgetown Neuroscience Foundation Empowers Brain Health through Study
Despite being a rapidly growing problem accompanied by skyrocketing medical costs, neurodegenerative diseases and their causes, prevention, and cure remain a mystery to researchers around the world. In light of this, the Georgetown Neuroscience Foundation (GNF) hopes to do for brain research what the Framingham Heart Study did for heart research—provide groundbreaking knowledge to solve the mysteries of a major organ, with the ultimate goal of helping treat and prevent devastating diseases.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, people 65 years and older will outnumber those under 18 by 2034. GNF Executive Director Mike Douglas says, “We have an aging demographic and a disease that basically seems to be impacting it more and more. There is a very strong need to address this.”
GRASSROOTS EFFORT
In 2019, a handful of retirees and city leadership met in Sun City to discuss that impact, and they decided to launch a project. Their goal was to prove that the loss of mental ability is not a natural part of the aging process; that the brain can remain active and engaged over the course of a long life.
The idea galvanized the Georgetown community and, soon, standing-room only meetings hosted leaders like Dr. David Paydarfar, Chair of the Department of Neurology at Dell Medical School, and others from the UT Southwestern Medical Center. The new collective created the Georgetown Neuroscience Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to improving brain health through research, education, and outreach.
The group now works with The University of Texas System and focuses on combating neurodegenerative diseases; i.e., conditions that eat away at the brain and spinal cord, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and traumatic brain injury.
Following two town halls, GNF collected more than 500 signatures from residents in Sun City and other age-restricted communities who are passionate about furthering research on neurological diseases. The study is still in its early stages and will need thousands of participants—not just from Georgetown. Mike adds, “It’s called Georgetown, but with its web portal, it will essentially involve the world.”
GAME-CHANGING MODEL
In the 1940s, a time when heart disease was accepted as a natural part of aging, the community of Framingham, Massachusetts, mobilized. Residents partnered with Boston University, recorded their diets and exercise, and connected those metrics with their heart health. The study, which began in 1948, was so successful that it continues, to this day, with families of the original volunteers. Framingham inspired radical approaches to medication and treatment, the Mediterranean diet, anti-smoking policies, and entire industries devoted to wellness.
GNF plans to do the same thing for neurodegenerative diseases.
Using the Framingham Study as its model, the organization will conduct a community-driven, multi-generational study and observe how participants’ diet, sleep, and daily exercise affect their brains. GNF will share data with the pharmaceutical industry and other neurological research organizations to help them understand the causes of neurodegenerative diseases.
According to GNF, Georgetown is a unique location for this type of study because of its large number of engaged seniors, committed volunteers, and collaborative relationships with Texas medical research centers.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
The study’s initial phase involved fundraising, partnering with schools, setting up a data platform and study design, and recruiting an initial 500 participants. GNF plans to expand involvement to 5,000, reach more diverse, underserved populations, extend the study’s geographic reach, and continue the study across generations.
Last month, UT Dell Medical and GNF opened a pilot study using a simple survey questionnaire to enroll interested study participants, collect demographic information, and establish their use of technology (smart phones, computers, Zoom, electronic calendars, etc.). The survey is available through the GNF website (code at right) or on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
To learn more, visit georgetownneurosciencefoundation.org.