Galveston County Daily News, Feb. 7, 2007 GALVESTON - A recent $5 million gift from George and Cynthia Mitchell to the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston raises to $10.5 million the couple's investment in UTMB and its programs to fight neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and to improve the quality of life for seniors. Their most recent gift will allow for expanded research at the university's George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, which previously focused solely on Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Claudio Soto - a leading researcher on the misfolded brain proteins believed to cause Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions - has been named to lead the expanded center. He has served as director of the Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease Research for the past year.