"For Dementia Research"... Bruce Willis's Brain to Be Donated After His Passing

Emma: "Necessary to help scientifically understand dementia"
"Hope that research will accelerate the development of treatments"

The family of Bruce Willis, a leading Hollywood actor, has decided to donate his brain for scientific research after his passing.

According to the U.S. media outlet Comics Basic on November 25 (local time), Bruce Willis's wife, Emma Heming Willis, revealed in her book "An Unexpected Journey" that "Bruce Willis's brain will be donated for research after his death."

Bruce Willis. Photo by AP News Agency.

Emma said, "It took a lot of deliberation to make this decision, but it is necessary to help scientifically understand frontotemporal dementia (FTD)."

Bruce Willis's family announced in 2022 that he retired after being diagnosed with aphasia. In February of the following year, they revealed that he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. Frontotemporal dementia typically develops between the ages of 45 and 64 and is known to cause personality changes, language disorders, and a decline in motor skills.

Movie still of Bruce Willis in "Independence Day". "Independence Day" still photo.

Currently, Bruce Willis is living away from his family home and is receiving 24-hour professional care at a separate residence. Some concerns and criticism have arisen regarding his receiving specialized care away from his family. In response, Emma explained, "It is one of the most difficult decisions. Dementia appears differently in every household. Each family must choose the approach that suits their own situation and the patient."

On the 28th (local time), the U.S. media outlet Marca also reported this news, adding, "Thanks to Bruce Willis's brain donation, the scientific community is expected to make significant progress in identifying abnormal proteins, genetic mutations, and structural changes related to frontotemporal dementia-changes in the brain that are difficult to observe during life." Researchers have called this a "sad but necessary step," and they hope that research on his brain will accelerate the development of potential treatments.

Recently, Bruce Willis's daughter, Rumer Willis, said on social media, "People always ask me about my father, but it's hard to answer." She continued, "Anyone living with FTD is not in a good condition," but added, "Nevertheless, compared to others with the disease, my father is doing relatively well."

Bruce Willis made his debut in the 1980 film "The First Deadly Sin." He gained worldwide popularity through his roles in various works, including "Die Hard," "Pulp Fiction," "12 Monkeys," "The Fifth Element," "Armageddon," and "The Sixth Sense." He married Demi Moore in 1987 and had three daughters, but they divorced in 2000. In 2009, he remarried Emma Heming and had two daughters.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.