#None #Oakland #10 #000 Brains Project #Path-ND #Digital Brain Banking

A New Dawn in Neurodegenerative Disease Research

On May 20, 2025, the 10,000 Brains Project announced a pivotal initiative aiming to transform the landscape of neurodegenerative disease research. The launch of Path-ND, a comprehensive digital brain banking program, promises to digitize a minimum of 5,000 neuropathology cases over the next two years. This ambitious endeavor will facilitate access to ultra-high-resolution brain tissue images, providing unprecedented resources for scientific exploration into diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

A Paradigm Shift

Historically, neurodegenerative research has focused on studying diseases in isolation. The 10,000 Brains Project is spearheading a new approach that aims to interconnect findings across various disorders. Path-ND is not just an effort to digitize brain tissue but rather a transformation of how researchers understand, diagnose, and treat these complex diseases. By breaking down existing barriers and encouraging large-scale comparative studies, it aspires to catalyze breakthroughs that have remained elusive for far too long.

Patrick Brannelly, CEO of the 10,000 Brains Project, emphasized the program’s potential impact, stating, "Path-ND is about transforming the entire approach to neurodegenerative research. Just as tumor biopsies revolutionized cancer treatment, we believe digitized brain tissue will enable researchers to take a new approach and crack the code of neurodegenerative disease."

With a significant investment of $3 million from the Kissick Family Foundation, Path-ND will construct the world's largest FTD dataset. This unprecedented resource is paramount due to the highly variable symptoms and the intricate pathology associated with FTD. Moreover, a new collaboration with The Michael J. Fox Foundation will facilitate the digitization of brain tissue from additional patients affected by Parkinson's and related disorders, thereby enhancing research in this fast-growing domain.

Unleashing Potential Through Data

Path-ND addresses a longstanding challenge faced by neurodegenerative researchers: limited access to high-quality, well-characterized brain samples. Traditionally, the examination of human brain tissue has delivered crucial insights, yet its scarcity has hampered the field's progress. Path-ND provides a powerful solution by allowing more researchers to access and study brain tissue directly.

The program harnesses advanced data science techniques, including artificial intelligence (AI), to analyze this rich data source. This will potentially reshape our understanding of neurodegeneration, revealing biological diversity and interconnections that were previously unexplored. The initiative promises to redefine diagnostic categories and uncover new therapeutic targets, thereby advancing the field significantly.

Building a Collaborative Ecosystem

Rooted in collaboration, Path-ND invites contributions from researchers and institutions worldwide to enhance the breadth of neuropathology datasets. Increasing both the diversity and scale of digitized brain tissue data will unveil insights that individual datasets could not achieve alone. The initiative encourages forward-thinking philanthropic partners and investors to engage in this critical movement, allowing it to extend to rarer diseases and enhance AI capabilities.

Dr. Mukta Phatak, appointed by the 10,000 Brains Project to lead Path-ND, has an impressive background in data science and bioinformatics. With over 15 years in integrating technology with scientific inquiry, Dr. Phatak's expertise will catalyze the program's innovative vision. She expressed her commitment to Path-ND's objectives, stating, "Realizing the digitization of brain pathology is a monumental leap in precision neuroscience. Path-ND will unify efforts towards personalized care through a robust, open, and scalable resource."

A Call to Action

As Path-ND embarks on this transformative journey, the 10,000 Brains Project extends an invitation to researchers, institutions, and biobanks to contribute their neuropathology datasets, thereby amplifying the program's scope and impact. For those in the scientific community eager to influence the future of neurodegenerative disease research, visiting 10kbrains.org can provide further information on participation and support.

About the Partners

The 10,000 Brains Project is a nonprofit initiative dedicated to revolutionizing neuroscience to improve outcomes for millions affected by neurodegenerative diseases globally. With its innovative strategies and partnerships, it aims to hasten discoveries in diagnosis, treatment, and personalized care. Concurrently, the Kissick Family Foundation is committed to propelling changes through philanthropic endeavors, particularly in scientific research concerning neurodegeneration and climate issues. Their collective efforts underscore a future ripe with potential for groundbreaking findings in brain health.