Fattah Expands Federal Brain Research Priorities in Spending Bill

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), the Senior Democratic Science Appropriator, lauded the increased focus on brain research and neuroscience funding in the FY 2015 government spending bill. The heightened support for neuroscience funding comes as part of the $1.1 trillion compromise bill passed by the House today; Congressman Fattah voted in support of the legislation which funds the government through September 2015.

Fattah, who created the Fattah Neuroscience Initiative (FNI) three years ago to elevate neuroscience as a federal priority in the United States, has worked extensively to make brain research a bipartisan priority in the subcommittee's section of the appropriations bill.

The bill provides $7.34 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF), including $35 million for investments in the U.S. BRAIN Initiative, neuroscience, and cognitive science—an increase of $21.15 million above the FY14 level. Other Fattah neuroscience highlights included in the bill are: efforts towards the establishment of a National Brain Observatory, enhanced attention to medical imaging, and support for an international conference on neuroscience.

"As the economic and social tolls of brain disease continue to grow in our country, it is imperative we increase the level of funding devoted to brain research so we can find cures and treatments more quickly. This spending bill goes a long way towards making a significant investment in this research—more than $21 million above previous levels—in order to make real progress in the fight against brain disease," Congressman Fattah said. "Brain diseases and injuries affect 60 million individuals in this country, touching the lives of nearly every American family.  Many of these priorities align with the mission of the Fattah Neuroscience Initiative, and I am encouraged by the heightened attention Congress has devoted to brain research."

Congressman Fattah, through the Fattah Neuroscience Initiative, has worked closely with the Interagency Working Group on Neuroscience (IWGN), an entity he helped establish in 2011, to coordinate neuroscience activities across a dozen federal agencies. Building on its mission, this spending bill encourages an amplified focus from the IWGN on international neuroscience collaboration. A highlight of this language includes support for a first-ever international neuroscience conference, hosted by the United States, which will convene government representatives, neuroscience researchers, private entities, non-profit institutions and others to share research and foster collaboration around neuroscience-related activities.

Additionally, the spending package calls on the IWGN and BRAIN Initiative to work with the Department of Energy on the creation of a National Brain Observatory. Using existing infrastructure and technology from the National Laboratories network, the Observatory would enable brain scientists to better collect and analyze large amounts of data. As a result, a National Brain Observatory would significantly expand the capabilities neuroscientists have to process their data, leading to quicker breakthroughs in the field. Fattah is a founding member and co-chair of the House Science and National Labs Caucus.

The legislation also contains support for a medical imaging initiative that would be modeled after the IWGN in order to streamline the government's federal efforts regarding imaging. The initiative would both accelerate revolutionary medical imaging technology and support high-skilled domestic manufacturing jobs. 

"In our charge to map the human brain, the creation of a National Brain Observatory could transform the way neuroscientists process and analyze data," Congressman Fattah said. "These programs are about pushing our existing resources in a more streamlined, coordinated, and efficient effort to enhance the research already underway. We expect both the Brain Observatory and medical imaging initiative to radically accelerate the United States' success in combating disease."

In addition to the CJS portion of the bill, Congressman Fattah also advocated for neuroscience initiatives and increased funding levels throughout the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Department of State (STATE).

Highlights of these neuroscience efforts include:

NIH

• A $25 million increase for Alzheimer's research and incorporation of the Alzheimer's Accountability Act into the spending bill which will ensure that future Alzheimer's spending levels are guided by the recommendations of NIH scientists
• Supports the National Institute of Mental Health's funding of research into the use of telehealth resources in the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders

VA:

• A new report on progress the Department of Veterans Affairs is making regarding neurological disease, particularly PTSD and traumatic-brain injury
• The creation of a cross-agency working group on intelligent prosthetics, including the VA, DOD, NSF, and NASA

DOD:

• The expansion of a military mental health pilot program to treat service members suffering from mental health disorders in the National Guard through community partnerships
• Increased DARPA resources to fund scientific breakthroughs that would serve as an alternative to amputation
• Expanded support for translational medicine that will offer better diagnostic tools and treatment outcomes for members of the military suffering from neurotrauma, including traumatic brain injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
• An increase of $18 million for suicide prevention, behavioral health and warrior care management

HHS

• $47 million for the Autism and Other Developmental Disorders program

STATE

• Establishes framework for a Global Alzheimer's Fund to combat the growing threat of the disease worldwide.

Click here to view remarks Congressman Fattah made today on the House floor in support of the Commerce, Justice, and Science section of the appropriations bill.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fattah-expands-federal-brain-research-priorities-in-spending-bill-300008933.html

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

Related Links

http://www.fattah.house.gov