American Academy of Neurology Foundation is Now the American Brain Foundation

Aims to Become World Leader in Supporting Research to Cure Brain Disease

NEW ORLEANS, April 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Academy of Neurology Foundation is now the American Brain Foundation.  The name change is part of an overall re-branding campaign as the organization repositions itself to become the world's leader in raising money for research to cure brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, Parkinson's disease, autism, and epilepsy. Today's re-branding announcement was made at the American Academy of Neurology's 64th Annual Meeting in New Orleans and on http://www.CureBrainDisease.org.

"Today is an exciting chapter in our organization's 20-year history as we aim to become the leader in funding research to cure brain disease, which affects more than 50 million Americans in the United States alone," said John Mazziotta, MD, PhD, Chair of the American Brain Foundation's Board of Trustees and Professor and Chair of UCLA's Department of Neurology and Brain Mapping Center in Los Angeles.  "Brain disease is in the news every day, yet research funding is flat.  We're in a perfect storm; but it is also a perfect opportunity.  In the face of flat research funding, we have tremendous treatments on the horizon and a more knowledgeable and concerned public to help us in this fight to cure brain disease once and for all."

The re-branding campaign includes a new look for the Foundation as well as new ads to educate neurologists, patients, caregivers and the public about the need to donate money to research to cure brain disease.  Since 1993, the Foundation has raised more than $16 million dollars for research into brain disease. 

"Whether you are a patient, caregiver, neurologist, researcher, or someone who cares deeply about our cause, we are counting on you to join us in this fight now to cure brain disease by making a donation today at www.CureBrainDisease.org," said Mazziotta.

The American Brain Foundation, the foundation of the American Academy of Neurology, supports vital research & education to discover causes, improved treatments, and cures for brain and other nervous system diseases. Learn more at http://www.CureBrainDisease.org or find us on Facebook.

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 25,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.

For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube.

SOURCE American Academy of Neurology