WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today highlighted efforts to step up research for curing diseases like Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, Parkinson’s, autism and other brain diseases. Klobuchar held a roundtable discussion today at the University of Minnesota focused on the “BRAIN” Initiative, a national research effort to map the human brain in hopes of finding new ways to prevent and cure brain disorders. Klobuchar was joined by Dr. Kamil Ugurbil, the director of the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research at the University of Minnesota, who is a member of the “BRAIN” Initiative Working Group. Also attending were representatives of the Alzheimer’s Association of Minnesota and North Dakota, the National Parkinson Foundation, the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota, and the Autism Society of Minnesota.

“Diseases like Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, Parkinson’s, autism and other brain diseases are some of the greatest medical challenges that we face,” Klobuchar said.“The BRAIN Initiative is an important step forward in our effort to treat and cure brain disorders and I am proud that Dr. Ugurbil and the University of Minnesota are on the front lines of this cutting-edge research.”

Klobuchar has long supported efforts to boost research and treatment for diseases like Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, Parkinson’s, autism and other brain disorders. She cosponsored The Health Outcomes, Planning, and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer's Act, providing Medicare coverage for Alzheimer’s diagnosis and care planning, as well as cosponsored a resolution last Congress to support the goal of preventing and effectively treating Alzheimer's disease by the year 2025. Klobuchar is also a cosponsor of the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act, which would strengthen federal support of Alzheimer’s research and increase the focus on clinical treatments for people with the disease.

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