Bipartisan group of US Congressmen introduce bill to fight brain-related illness

A bipartisan team of prominent members of both US houses of Congress have introduced the National Neurotechnology Initiative (NNTI) Act, a bill designed to foster novel discoveries and accelerate the development of new and safer treatments for the one in three Americans living with a brain-related illness, injury or disease.

Championing the NNTI, Senators Pete Domenici (Republican, New Mexico) and Patty Murray (Democrat, Washington State) and Representatives Patrick Kennedy (D-Rhode Island 1st) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Florida 18th) have called upon Congress to reverse the growing economic burden generated by brain-related illness, which has reached $1,300.0 billion a year in the USA due to health care costs and lost income.

"The sheer numbers speak for themselves: There are 100 million Americans suffering from a brain-related illness, with an enormous economic burden that continues to grow as the population ages," said Zack Lynch, executive director of the Neurotechnology Industry Organization, commenting on the initiative. "For a modest investment, Congress has the opportunity to streamline research efforts, accelerate the development of new treatments, promote innovation by small businesses and have a meaningful impact on the lives of those suffering from devastating diseases and injuries," he added.