BrightFocus scientific milestones

Celebrating 50 Years of Bold Research

BrightFocus has invested nearly $300 million in research grants, catalyzing thousands of scientific breakthroughs, life-enhancing treatments, and diagnostic tools.

Explore Breakthroughs

Focus on Breakthroughs

Learn about bold ideas and the latest research advancements to diagnose, slow the progression, treat, and ultimately cure these diseases.

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Elderly woman smiling happily.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

What Can We Learn From 100-Year-Olds Without Alzheimer’s?

Glass digital scale with yellow unrolled tape measure on floor.
Macular Degeneration Research

Obesity and Macular Degeneration: What’s the Link?

A man sleeping
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Sleeping Pill Found to Possibly Slow or Stop Alzheimer’s Disease

View inside of the human eye showing a healthy retina in a flaming red color, optic nerve, and macula.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Researchers Develop First-of-its-Kind Artificial Intelligence Model That Could Detect Alzheimer’s Through Retinal Photographs

FDA sign outside building that reads, "U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration."
Alzheimer's Disease Research

FDA Approves First Treatment for Alzheimer’s-Associated Agitation

Light purple 3D DNA spiral structure.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Researchers Identify a Genetic Factor in People of African Ancestry That May Lower Alzheimer’s Risk

Neurons (green branch-like structures) and their supporting cells, called astrocytes (small red dots), created from stem cells.
National Glaucoma Research

Could Vision Lost to Glaucoma Be Restored?

Daisy Shu, PhD in a lab working with a centrifuge.
Macular Degeneration Research

Is Inflammation the Answer? A Potential Future Treatment for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Various bottles of alcoholic drinks on a table.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Moderate Alcohol Use May Accelerate Alzheimer’s Disease

Misfolded tau proteins (red-orange) form tangles, which disrupt neurons.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Evidence Grows for Role of Tau in Early Prediction, Intervention of Alzheimer’s Disease

Syfovre pegcetacoplan injection packaging box.
Macular Degeneration Research

FDA Approves First and Only Treatment for Geographic Atrophy, an Advanced Form of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Vials of blood on a centrifuge for blood testing.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

New Blood Test Can Detect Unique Biomarker for Alzheimer’s Neurodegeneration

Macular Degeneration Awareness Month
Macular Degeneration Research

Free Educational Resources Available for Macular Degeneration Awareness Month

Lymph nodes and surrounding vessels provide the brain with nutrients and may play a role in Alzheimer’s disease. Photo courtesy of Sandro Da Mesquita, PhD, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville.
BrightFocus Foundation

Across the Research Spectrum: 2022 Research Portfolios Now Available

Green tea being poured into china cup with loose tea leaves in the background on a platter.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Molecule Found in Green Tea Can Break Up Alzheimer's-Causing Protein Tangles, BrightFocus Researcher Finds

African American woman enjoying light weight training at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center PAACE program.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Social Activity, Aging Education Critical to Brain Health in Older African Americans, Study Finds

FDA sign outside building that reads, "U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration."
Macular Degeneration Research

Geographic Atrophy Drug Granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation

Exterior of FDA building
Alzheimer's Disease Research

New Alzheimer’s Drug Granted Accelerated FDA Approval

Glaucoma Awareness Month graphic with green eye icon at the top.
National Glaucoma Research

BrightFocus Foundation Offers Free Educational Resources for Glaucoma Awareness Month

Optometrist giving eye exam to senior patient.
Macular Degeneration Research

Nearly 20 Million American Adults Have Age-Related Macular Degeneration, New Data Shows

Female scientist in a lab working with a pipette.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

“Next-Generation” Alzheimer’s Blood Test Announced, Rooted in Early BrightFocus Funding

A retinal ganglion cell made from human pluripotent stem cells (shown in green with long, thin arms branching out).
National Glaucoma Research

Beyond Eye Pressure: A Potential New Path for Treating Glaucoma

Aggregated amyloid-beta (in yellow) in the brain.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Potential New Alzheimer’s Treatment Reported to Slow Cognitive Decline

Light pink amyloid plaques clumping together between light blue neurons that look like plant roots.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Alzheimer’s Disease Drug Shows Positive Clinical Trial Results

Building location of C2N Diagnostics in St. Louis, MO.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

PrecivityAD™ First in Accuracy Among Blood-Based Alzheimer’s Screening Tests

A background image of science vials with overlying text that says US Food and Drug Administration.
Press Releases

BrightFocus Commends FDA Approval of New Macular Degeneration Treatment

A scientist working in the lab.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

BrightFocus an Early Supporter of “Game Changing” Alzheimer’s Disease Blood Test

Our 360° Approach to Research

Funding revolutionary research and first-in science into diseases of mind and sight.

Sequencing photo showing the order of the DNA's base structures.

Alzheimer's Disease Research

We hear hope firsthand from scientists about their progress toward innovative tools and technologies, which provide earlier and more accurate diagnoses and treatments.

Two researchers working in a lab.

Macular Degeneration Research

We see hope in the eyes of the young, promising scientists who each year have their research ideas and "what-ifs" accelerated through our Fast Track programs and fellowship awards.

A doctor's hands typing on a laptop with a stethoscope beside it on a table.

National Glaucoma Research

We find hope in the notes we receive from those who say that BrightFocus gave them clear, trusted information to better understand and manage their health.

We're here for you.

Find out how BrightFocus is making an impact in the community.

A collage of photos and the text: Brain Info Live.

Free Educational Resources and Community Outreach

Throughout the year, we host free educational chats and community groups, special events, research symposia, workshops, and so much more.

In 2021, we launched Brain Info Live℠, a community outreach series that addresses health disparities and equity for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Through this and other programs, BrightFocus works to support community members, families, clinicians, researchers, and other health professionals. 

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Phil Gutis, diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's.
See Phil's Story →

Driving Public Awareness

BrightFocus Foundation reaches millions of people worldwide through its public outreach and free expert information around brain and eye health.   

Recent campaigns have raised national awareness about ways to reduce one’s risk, manage, and care for Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. BrightFocus offers helpful resources to get started, available both digitally and in print.

Alzheimer’s resources
Macular resources 
Glaucoma resources

Donate to Cure Diseases of Mind and Sight

Support groundbreaking research worldwide to end Alzheimer’s disease, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma.

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Get Involved

Ways to Support Our Work

  • Help Find a Cure
  • Take Part in a Clinical Trial
  • Partner with Us
  • Donor-Advised Funds
  • Planned Giving
  • IRA Charitable Rollover
  • Gifts of Stocks and Bonds
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Help Find a Cure

Every 65 seconds, another person in the United States develops Alzheimer's disease. Glaucoma and macular degeneration affect millions of Americans, robbing them of their vision and independence.

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A patient talking with her physician.

Take Part in a Clinical Trial

Clinical trials are key to advancing medical science, breakthroughs, treatments, and cures. And volunteers are vital. Learn more about the clinical trial process and find a clinical trial nearest you. 

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Partner with Us

Join us! We work with array of public and private companies who share our values and commitment to end these diseases. BrightFocus is a great partner.

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Donor-Advised Funds

We make it easy to set up a donor-advised fund (DAF) with BrightFocus Foundation. This giving option offers flexibility and favorable tax benefits too.

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Planned Giving

Focus on your legacy. A planned gift with BrightFocus is a lasting investment in a brighter future.

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IRA Charitable Rollover

Make a big difference. If you are 70 ½ or older, an IRA charitable rollover is an easy way to make big impact in support of our mission.

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Gifts of Stocks and Bonds

Donating appreciated securities, including stocks or bonds, is an easy and tax-effective way for you to make a gift to BrightFocus Foundation.

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