Bruce Willis’ family plans to donate his brain to dementia research

The family of American actor Bruce Willis plans to donate his brain to scientific research after his death, hoping to help researchers better understand frontotemporal dementia (FTD), the condition that ended his acting career in 2022.

According to the information provided, Willis was initially diagnosed with aphasia in 2022, and a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia was confirmed the following year.

His wife, Emma Heming Willis, his former wife Demi Moore and his five daughters reportedly support the decision. Emma has described the donation as “emotionally difficult, but scientifically necessary.”

Frontotemporal dementia affects the frontal and temporal regions of the brain and currently has no cure. Examining brain tissue after death can provide researchers with information about cellular changes associated with the disease that cannot be obtained through other methods.

Emma continues to promote awareness of FTD through a research and caregiver-support fund established in her name and Bruce Willis’. Following the failure of a recent clinical trial for the disease, she described the news as “a punch in the gut” but urged researchers not to give up.