The Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute (BRNI) announced today an agreement with a group of neurological specialists (Brain Injury Group) to examine possible confluences of the Group's work with brain injuries, head trauma, and strokes and BRNI's research. Together, they will explore the correlation between these injuries and various debilitating neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
BRNI is the world's only non-profit institute dedicated to the study of bothn human memory and diseases of memory. It was founded by West Virginia Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) in memory of his mother, Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller, bwho died of Alzheimer's disease complications.
"The Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute is honored to explore the vast combinations of our human memory science and the important brain injury research of Dr. Bailes and Dr. Omalu," said Dr. Daniel Alkon, scientific director of BRNI. "Together, we will uncover the potential links between brain injury and diseases and disorders of human memory, including Alzheimer's disease."
The Brain Injury Group is led by Dr. Julian Bailes, Dr. Bennet Omalu and Robert Fitzsimmons. Dr. Omalu is a neuropathologist with extensive experience diagnosing brain injuries during autopsy, including former NFL players Mike Webster, Terry Long and Andre Waters. Dr. Bailes is a neurosurgeon and Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at West Virginia University School of Medicine. Their research focuses primarily on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE, also known as "punch-drunk syndrome" due to its prevalence among boxers, commonly manifests itself as declining mental and physical capabilities. The Group will work with BRNI scientists to research the full effects of CTE and similar brain injuries, how they affect the brain on a physical and neurological scale and their connections with neurological disorders. The goal will be to develop new ways to prevent and treat brain trauma and its long-lasting degenerative consequences.