Perlmutter Brain Foundation
Founded in 2006, The Perlmutter Brain Foundation is dedicated to supporting and encouraging
scientific and medical research in neuroscience.
PBF specifically champions research exploring the role of modifiable lifestyle factors in various neurological conditions ranging from attention-deficit disorder in children to Alzheimer's disease. While scientific research aimed at developing new pharmaceutical interventions for existing neurological problems is intensely funded, precious few resources are available for institutions involved in researching and identifying modifiable factors involved in preventing devastating neurological conditions including Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. Our mission is specifically focused on these issues, recognizing the dramatic increase in these conditions in recent years and the predicted severe economic and emotional impact these diseases will have on our society in the future.
Well respected peer-reviewed scientific publications are replete with studies relating Alzheimer's risk, for example, to lack of physical activity, mental engagement and dysfunctional dietary choices. Our Foundation seeks to identify and support research programs involved in evaluating as well as publishing information related to these issues. Further, because of the profound increase in risk for Alzheimer's disease in diabetics, supporting organizations involved in raising public awareness of risk factors related to diabetes is a top tier focus of PBF.
In addition to these efforts ultimately centered upon disease prevention, our Foundation will engage in supporting specific interventional research. Researchers over the past two decades have identified a group of chemicals as playing a fundamental role in the process of nerve cell damage in essentially all neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington's disease. These chemicals are commonly known as free radicals.
The pioneering work in identifying the pivotal role of free radicals in aging and degeneration is attributed to Dr. Denham Harmon, known as "The Father of The Free Radical Theory of Aging." In his publication, The Aging Process, published in 1981, he set the stage for the current understanding of free radicals in brain disorders. Free radicals are naturally neutralized in human physiology by a group of chemicals known as "antioxidants."
Currently, leading edge researchers are just beginning to explore the potential of antioxidants as interventional treatments in various neurological disorders. In 2002, Dr. Perlmutter received the Denham Harmon Research Award by the American College for Advancement in Medicine for his work in applying the free radical theory to neurological disorders. He is actively involved in researching novel antioxidant therapies in neurological disorders. For more info, see the Parkinson Report Fall 2005 in PDF format.
In recognition of the profound global health implications of these recently discovered mechanisms of disease, the fundamental mission of The Perlmutter Brain Foundation is to identify and financially support institutions involved in similar research.
The Perlmutter Brain Foundation is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. Contributions to the Perlmutter Brain Foundation are tax deductible under section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code. For further information, please contact Dr. Perlmutter at 239-649-7400.
