Senate Passes Bill to Create America’s Largest Brain Health Research Center
On Wednesday, the Senate passed a measure aimed at establishing the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT), which is set to become the largest brain health research center in the U.S. With the aging population, the number of dementia patients is on the rise, expected to reach 82 million by 2050. Currently, individuals over 55 have a 42% chance of developing dementia in their lifetime. The bill, authored by Houston Senator Joan Huffman, addresses the growing dementia crisis in Texas, which already ranks third in the nation with nearly half a million dementia patients. However, Huffman emphasized that the emotional toll on patients, families, and caregivers is the true burden. “The disease robs a person of their thoughts and memories, the very essence of who they are,” Huffman stated. “It leads to a loss of quality of life and places a tremendous strain on families, loved ones, and our healthcare system.” SB 5 would allocate funds to DPRIT, attracting top physicians, researchers, and experts to Texas to lead efforts in dementia prevention and research.
Senate Passes Bill to Create America’s Largest Brain Health Research Center