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2026 Sacco Scholarships Awarded to Advance Brain Health Research

American Academy of Neurology & American Heart Association award 2026 Sacco Scholarships to neuroscientists studying childhood concussions and exercise's impact on brain health.

This news matters because it directly addresses two critical and growing public health concerns: traumatic brain injuries in youth and age-related cognitive decline. Dr. Kettlety's research on childhood concussions could revolutionize post-injury care by enabling early, personalized interventions, potentially reducing long-term neurological complications for millions of young athletes and accident victims annually. Dr. McEntee's work on exercise and brain health seeks to decode why physical activity benefits cognition, which could lead to novel treatments for populations unable to exercise, such as those with chronic illnesses or disabilities. By funding these studies, the Sacco Scholars program invests in preventive neurology, aiming to shift healthcare from treatment to early intervention and risk reduction. Ultimately, this research strengthens the understanding of the heart-brain axis, a connection vital for combating stroke, dementia, and cardiovascular diseases—leading causes of death and disability worldwide.