Center for the Brain & Environment
Overview
The Atria Center for the Brain & Environment (CBE) is the world's first center dedicated to identifying—and eliminating—the environmental causes of brain diseases. From Parkinson's to Alzheimer's, ALS to intellectual disabilities, the disorders now topping global disability charts share a common thread: their principal causes lie not in our DNA, but in the environment. Thus, to a great extent, these diseases are preventable.The CBE has three pillars: investigate the environmental causes of brain diseases, innovate new approaches to measure and detect them, and educate individuals, communities, policymakers, and the public about their preventable nature.
Our Team
Dr. Ray Dorsey, Director
Dr. Ray Dorsey is one of the world's leading investigators of the environmental causes of brain disease. He previously led the Center for Health + Technology at the University of Rochester, the international Huntington Study Group, and the movement disorders division at Johns Hopkins. He has authored two books on Parkinson's — including a New York Times bestseller — and was recognized by the White House as a Champion for Change.
Dr. Brittany Krzyzanowski, Principal Health Geographer
Dr. Brittany Krzyzanowski is a health geographer uncovering environmental drivers of Parkinson’s and other brain diseases. Her work has been supported by the American Academy of Neurology, the American Brain Foundation, and the Parkinson’s Foundation. Her research on the risk of Parkinson's for those living near golf courses was featured in JAMA Network Open and was the most viewed article in the entire JAMA network in 2025.
Julia Lewis MPH, Research Coordinator; Josephine Dorsey, Research Coordinator
The extended Atria neurology team
- Dr. Richard Isaacson — Neurodegenerative disease
- Dr. David Dodick — Headache & traumatic brain injury
- Dr. Larry Newman — Headache & traumatic brain injury
- Dr. Bart Demaerschalk — Stroke and vascular neurology
- Dr. Jennifer Buczyner — Neuromuscular disorders
- Dr. Ilene Ruhoy — Neuroimmune connective tissue conditions
Impact
Brain diseases are now the world's leading cause of disability. Parkinson's is one of the fastest-growing brain diseases in the world. One in three Americans who reach 85 will have Alzheimer's. One in 31 children has autism. Deaths from ALS have increased 20% over the past 30 years.
This is all unnatural. The evidence increasingly points to environmental exposures—pesticides, industrial chemicals, and other toxicants in our air, water, and food—as the primary drivers. Yet only 2 cents of every Parkinson's research dollar is directed toward prevention. Preventing just 1% of Parkinson's cases would save society $500 million per year.
If we can identify the causes, we can act on them. And if we can act on them, we can prevent the diseases themselves. That is what the CBE exists to do.
Current Work
Evaluating clusters In Hebron, NY, we're investigating a cluster of approximately 30 individuals with Parkinson's, with a leading hypothesis pointing to second-hand exposure to paraquat, a weedkiller widely sprayed in the surrounding county.
Assessing pesticide levels in golfers A landmark study by CBE Principal Health Geographer Dr. Brittany Krzyzanowski—the most-viewed article in the entire JAMA network in 2025—found that people living within a mile of a golf course have a 126% increased risk of Parkinson's. We are now measuring pesticide levels in the blood, urine, and hair of golfers and nearby residents.
Determining risk near dry cleaners We are assessing whether individuals who live near dry cleaners—which use chemicals linked to Parkinson’s—are at increased risk of the disease.
Measuring toxicants in breast milk With researchers at the University of Minnesota and University of Rochester, we are developing a test to detect trichloroethylene (TCE)—linked to birth defects, cancer, and Parkinson’s—in breast milk.
Examining brains from non-industrialized countries Working with colleagues at Rochester, we're examining brains from the Seychelles Islands to understand whether clean air, water, and food reduce the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's common in the U.S.
Measuring toxicant levels in people with Parkinson’s For the first time, we are measuring levels of pesticides, trichloroethylene, and heavy metals in people's bodies to help identify possible causes and ways to slow disease progression.
Developing environmental health scores We’re building free tools that will allow anyone in the United States to assess the environmental health of their neighborhood—across air quality, water safety, and proximity to contaminated sites—simply by entering their address.
Future Work
With additional support, the CBE will expand from individual studies to national infrastructure.
- Measurement of chemicals in people’s urine, blood, and hair nationally
- Cluster research expanded nationally
- Pesticide studies in golfers beyond Florida
- National environmental health score launched
- Global listening tour to visit communities affected around the world
- Prevention tools for every major brain disease, from autism to Alzheimer's
- At-home exposure assessment kits available nationwide
- Annual state-of-the-brain national report
- National and global brain health summits
Partners and Collaborators
University of Rochester · University of Minnesota · Columbia University · NYU · Mount Sinai · Edmond J. Safra Foundation
The CBE is funded and operational. We are seeking partners to help scale this work nationally and globally. Eighty years ago, the March of Dimes ended polio. Forty years ago, ACT UP transformed the fight against HIV, and just over twenty years ago, New York helped prevent lead poisoning. The opportunity to do the same for brain disease is here.
Support this Work
Join the research registry
Report a cluster
Become a PD Avenger
Read The Parkinson's Plan
