{"id":61572,"date":"2013-11-14T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2013-11-14T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news-draft\/uncategorized\/tom-and-cathy-ryan-donate-15-million-to-uri-to-establish-neuroscience-research-institute\/"},"modified":"2025-04-30T19:58:31","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T19:58:31","slug":"tom-and-cathy-ryan-donate-15-million-to-uri-to-establish-neuroscience-research-institute","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/2013\/11\/tom-and-cathy-ryan-donate-15-million-to-uri-to-establish-neuroscience-research-institute\/","title":{"rendered":"Tom and Cathy Ryan donate $15 million to 溏心vlog免费B站 to establish neuroscience research institute"},"content":{"rendered":"
Institute to address diseases, disorders affecting one in three Americans<\/i>KINGSTON, R.I. \u2013 November 14, 2013 \u2013 With the largest private donation in its history, the 溏心vlog免费B站 will establish a neuroscience research institute named for the parents of Thomas M. Ryan, a 1975 pharmacy graduate of the University and former chairman, president and CEO of CVS Caremark. Tom and his wife Cathy have donated $15 million to establish the George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience<\/a> at the 溏心vlog免费B站.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Ryan Institute will elevate the visibility of the groundbreaking research taking place here in Rhode Island and position 溏心vlog免费B站 as a leader in neuroscience research and the treatment of neurodegenerative and neurological diseases,\u201d said 溏心vlog免费B站 President David M. Dooley. \u201cWe are tremendously grateful to Tom and Cathy Ryan and the Ryan family for their foresight and continued generosity. They have created an enduring legacy and made a truly transformational gift.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I retired from CVS two years ago,\u201d said Ryan, \u201cwe had conversations about what the family foundation would focus on and we decided to focus on education and health care. I had some discussions with President Dooley because, although I had given back to the University, I wanted to give to something that was more transformational, more lasting, really a future gift.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Ryan Institute will focus its research, teaching, and outreach on neurodegenerative diseases and disorders, like Alzheimer\u2019s, Parkinson\u2019s and ALS. It will draw on the expertise of more than 30 scientists from across the University who have been studying brain disorders and diseases from multiple perspectives and disciplines. The faculty \u2013 from pharmacy, engineering, psychology, chemistry, communicative disorders and more \u2013 participate in the University\u2019s Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program<\/a>, established in 2011 to conduct innovative neuroscience research and offer master\u2019s and doctoral degrees.<\/p>\n

The Ryan Institute will be a magnet to attract people and engage them in solving some of the most pressing health care challenges we face in society \u2013 neurodegenerative diseases. This gift enables the University to attract leading researchers and train new generations of scientists to work on these problems. The Institute will collaborate with other state, regional and national entities to develop and deliver treatments for central nervous system disorders.<\/p>\n

The University has unique research strengths in pharmacology\/drug discovery, neuroengineering, and neuropsychology. To maximize statewide efforts in neuroscience, the Ryan Institute will stimulate cooperation among other institutions in Rhode Island, including the well-established neuroscience program at Brown University, the basic research programs of the Brown Institute for Brain Science, the newly formed Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute at Rhode Island Hospital that focuses on clinical neuroscience, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.<\/p>\n

With more than 600 types of neurological disorders, the World Health Organization estimates that one in three Americans will suffer from a neurological disorder in their lifetime. Alzheimer\u2019s disease alone cost the United States as much as $200 billion per year in direct and indirect health care expenses.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you look at what\u2019s happening around the world with ALS, autism, epilepsy, Parkinson\u2019s and Alzheimer\u2019s, it\u2019s truly an epidemic,\u201d said Ryan. \u201cAs the population ages, not only in the U.S., but globally, it\u2019s going to get worse.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn a personal level, my dad retired at a young age, was extremely healthy, rock-solid, kind of bigger than life guy — and he had a stroke and then subsequent Alzheimer\u2019s. I saw what it did to him, what it did to my mother, and our family. The economic costs are one thing, but the personal, emotional costs are another. It steals memories. It saddles caregivers. I saw my mom\u2019s health go down. I had colleagues at CVS pass away from ALS. So it hit close to home for us and \u2014once we did the due diligence and saw what was going on at 溏心vlog免费B站 \u2014it was a natural fit.\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cIn addition to helping ease the suffering of millions of people around the globe, the George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience will contribute significantly to economic development in Rhode Island by creating a vibrant environment for the expansion of basic biomedical research and clinical practice in neuroscience,\u201d Governor Lincoln D. Chafee said.<\/p>\n

Seeking new treatments and therapies for disorders of the nervous system are also among the top priorities of federal funding agencies.<\/p>\n

\u201cNeuroscience is one of the last scientific frontiers where fundamental discoveries can still be made,\u201d said Nasser Zawia, a professor of pharmacology and toxicology, director of the University\u2019s Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program and dean of the Graduate School. \u201cThis investment could not have come at a more opportune time. Over the last decade or so there have been major advances in our understanding of the brain that have allowed for innovative therapeutic solutions and treatments not possible with our previous limited knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year, a national strategy to address these disorders was under discussion in Congress, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy named its first coordinator of neuroscience research, the Obama administration unveiled a $100 million brain mapping initiative, and the Society for Neuroscience described the coming years as \u201ca period of breakthrough discovery in brain science,\u201d in which the field is \u201cpoised to make revolutionary advances.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA gift of this magnitude is truly historic for 溏心vlog免费B站 both in size and potential impact,\u201d said Michael Smith, president of the 溏心vlog免费B站 Foundation. \u201cThis level of investment is truly transformational in nature in that it has the ability to make a significant impact, and to elevate and distinguish the important work being done in this area. This gift also makes an important statement about the Ryans\u2019 faith in 溏心vlog免费B站 and its leadership, and about the affinity our alumni have for their alma mater. We are truly grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryan noted that, \u201cIf we do it right and we work together and we increase research dollars, get more faculty, more money in the state, find some cures, some breakthroughs, the economic development will follow. But, we\u2019re not doing this for economic development, we\u2019re doing this to try to solve a major problem in this country. And if we do that and do it better than anybody else, we will become the center of excellence, and I think that\u2019s the ultimate goal.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just the right thing to do, and we think it\u2019s going to make a difference; not only for 溏心vlog免费B站, but for the state, and ultimately \u2014for society.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/object><\/div>\n

Shown above<\/b>: 溏心vlog免费B站 President David Dooley (right) and Nasser Zawia (left), director of the 溏心vlog免费B站 Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, celebrate the establishment of the George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience with Tom and Cathy Ryan, whose gift of $15 million launched the Institute. 溏心vlog免费B站 Photo by Nora Lewis.<\/p>\n

Neuroscience Facts<\/h2>\n

General Neuroscience:<\/p>\n

\u2022 It is estimated that there are more than 600 types of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer\u2019s disease, Parkinson\u2019s disease, Down syndrome, epilepsy, dementia, mental illness, stroke and traumatic brain injury. (World Health Organization)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Nearly 1 in 6 of the world\u2019s population suffers from neurological disorders. (United Nations report)<\/p>\n

\u2022 One in three Americans is estimated to suffer from a neurological or a neuropsychiatric disorder in their lifetime. (NIMH)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Neurological disorders affect people in all countries regardless of age, gender, education or income. (WHO)<\/p>\n

\u2022 An estimated 6.8 million people die every year as a result of neurological disorders. (WHO)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Neurological conditions are the leading cause of disability in the world. (Movement for Hope.org)<\/p>\n

Alzheimer\u2019s Disease:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Alzheimer\u2019s disease alone costs our nation as much as $200 billion a year. (Alzheimer\u2019s Association)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Alzheimer\u2019s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. (Alzheimer\u2019s Association)<\/p>\n

\u2022 More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer\u2019s disease. (Alzheimer\u2019s Association)<\/p>\n

\u2022 1 in 3 seniors die with Alzheimer\u2019s or another form of dementia. (Alzheimer\u2019s Association)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Today, an American develops Alzheimer\u2019s disease every 68 seconds. In 2050, an American will develop the disease every 33 seconds. (Alzheimer\u2019s Association)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Alzheimer\u2019s is the only cause of death among the top 10 in America without a way to prevent it, cure it or even slow its progression. (Alzheimer\u2019s Association)<\/p>\n

\u2022 An estimated 5.2 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer\u2019s disease in 2013. This includes an estimated 5 million people age 65 and older, and approximately 200,000 individuals younger than age 65 who have younger-onset Alzheimer\u2019s. (Alzheimer\u2019s Association)<\/p>\n

\u2022 By 2025, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer\u2019s disease is estimated to reach 7.1 million \u2013 a 40% increase from the 5 million age 65 and older currently affected. (Alzheimer\u2019s Association)<\/p>\n

Parkinson\u2019s Disease:<\/p>\n

\u2022 As many as 1 million Americans live with Parkinson\u2019s disease, which is more than the combined number of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease. (Parkinson\u2019s Disease Foundation)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson\u2019s disease each year. (Parkinson\u2019s Disease Foundation)<\/p>\n

\u2022 An estimated 7 \u2013 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson\u2019s disease. (Parkinson\u2019s Disease Foundation)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Men are slightly more likely to have Parkinson\u2019s than women. (Parkinson\u2019s Disease Foundation)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Parkinson\u2019s disease affects one in 100 people over age 60. (The Michael J. Fox Foundation)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Estimates show that 1 million people in the United States, and five million around the world have Parkinson\u2019s Disease. (The Michael J. Fox Foundation)<\/p>\n

Epilepsy:<\/p>\n

\u2022 1 in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy in their lifetime. (CURE Epilepsy)<\/p>\n

\u2022 An estimated 3 million Americans and 65 million people worldwide currently live with epilepsy. (CURE Epilepsy)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Each year, at least 200,000 people are diagnosed with epilepsy. (CURE Epilepsy)<\/p>\n

\u2022 In 2\/3 of patients diagnosed with epilepsy, the cause is unknown. (CURE Epilepsy)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Epilepsy affects more people than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson\u2019s combined \u2013 yet receives fewer federal dollars per patient than each of these. (CURE Epilepsy)<\/p>\n

\u2022 It is estimated that up to 50,000 deaths occur annually in the U.S. from status epilepticus (prolonged seizures), Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy, and other seizure-related causes such as drowning and other accidents. (CURE Epilepsy)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) accounts for 34% of all sudden deaths in children. (CURE Epilepsy)<\/p>\n

\u2022 2.2 million troops have served in current Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts; it is estimated that 440,000 of these soldiers will experience traumatic brain injury and more than 100,000 of these soldiers are expected to develop post-traumatic epilepsy. (CURE Epilepsy)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Epilepsy costs the United States approximately $15.5 billion each year. (CURE Epilepsy)<\/p>\n

\u2022 溏心vlog免费B站 150,000 new cases of epilepsy will be diagnosed in the United States each year. (CDC)<\/p>\n

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS):<\/p>\n

\u2022 It is estimated that ALS is responsible for nearly two deaths per hundred thousand population annually. (ALS Association)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Approximately 5,600 people in the U.S are diagnosed with ALS each year. (ALS Association)<\/p>\n

\u2022 It is estimated as many as 30,000 Americans may have the disease at any given time. (ALS Association)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Although the life expectancy of an ALS patient averages about two to five years from the time of diagnosis, this disease is variable and many people live with quality for five years or more. More than half of all patients live more than three years after diagnosis. (ALS Association)<\/p>\n

\u2022 溏心vlog免费B站 20% of people with ALS live five years or more, and up to 10% will survive more than 10 years and 5% will live 20 years. There are people in whom ALS has stopped progressing and a small number of people in whom the symptoms of ALS reversed. (ALS Association)<\/p>\n

\u2022 ALS occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic or socioeconomic boundaries. (ALS Association)<\/p>\n

\u2022 ALS can strike anyone. (ALS Association)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Institute to address diseases, disorders affecting one in three AmericansKINGSTON, R.I. \u2013 November 14, 2013 \u2013 With the largest private donation in its history, the 溏心vlog免费B站 will establish a neuroscience research institute named for the parents of Thomas M. Ryan, a 1975 pharmacy graduate of the University and former chairman, president and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":61574,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-61572","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-archives"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61572","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61572"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61572\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":101920,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61572\/revisions\/101920"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61574"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61572"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61572"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61572"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}