UT Southwestern Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute

04/15/2026

Each year, we award grants to UT Southwestern trainees in brain science who are exploring novel ideas not easily covered by other funding sources. Prabha Acharya, Ph.D., received a 2026 Sprouts Grant for her work in the Napierala Lab where she is researching vision loss in Friedreich's Ataxia. Learn more about the research in the Napierala Lab. https://labs.utsouthwestern.edu/napierala-lab

04/14/2026

OBI Investigator, Kevin Williams, Ph.D., co-led a multi-institution study that shows brain cells play a role in boosting the endurance benefits of exercise. Most people think of the body adapting to exercise through the muscles, heart, lungs, and other tissues, but Dr. Williams says this research shows that neurons can program endurance capacity. Learn about the findings: https://bit.ly/4bXuJch

04/03/2026

The UT Southwestern Multiple Sclerosis Clinic team rides again in Bike MS, the largest fundraising cycling series in the world, and you are invited to join us. The UT CONQUER MS team will take part in the 2026 Bike MS ride in North Texas on May 2nd and 3rd. Funds raised go toward curing MS while empowering people affected by MS to live their best lives. https://bit.ly/4cSV4ZT

04/01/2026

Neurosurgeon, Dr. Fred Hitti, is part of a multidisciplinary team at UT Southwestern exploring deep brain stimulation (DBS) for patients with treatment resistant depression. For approximately 30-40% of people with depression, current treatments are not enough, but DBS may help some patients find more effective and sustainable relief. Learn more about DBS. https://bit.ly/4bNkjLa

03/30/2026

Shixuan Liu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Neuroscience and in the O’Donnell Brain Institute, was selected as a 2026 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow in Neuroscience. The highly competitive fellowships are awarded to early-career researchers whose creativity, innovation, and research accomplishments distinguish them as the next generation of leaders. Dr. Liu's research includes decoding the molecular mechanisms of the seasonal clock and its role in human health.

03/24/2026

Three of our psychiatry faculty members were recognized for their excellence in teaching. Adriane dela Cruz, M.D., Ph.D., Sidarth Wakhlu, M.D., and Elizabeth Heitman, Ph.D., were honored at this year's UT Southwestern Celebrating Excellence in Education ceremony.

03/20/2026

Parkinson's patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals are invited to our annual Total Care Program for Parkinson’s Disease Symposium next month. This year's event will focus on collaborative, team-based care for people living with Parkinson’s disease. Attendees will explore the roles and contributions of various disciplines such as nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. We will have expert speakers from UT Southwestern and community partners who will share their resources for supporting the Parkinson's community. Find more details about the symposium and register: https://bit.ly/4bE4N3W

03/19/2026

More than 100 people attended this year's Hope After Brain Injury annual conference for patients, family, and caregivers. The event brings together the brain injury community and provides resources for living with a TBI. Expert speakers from the O'Donnell Brain Institute, Baylor Scott & White, and Hope After Brain Injury discussed topics like mental health, caring for the caregiver, and how the brain works. The conference is held every year in March in conjunction with Brain Injury Awareness Month.

03/18/2026

Jane Foster, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry, was part of a team of researchers that investigated the link between changes in sleep and the risk of relapse in patients with major depressive disorder. Learn how the findings could identify high-risk individuals and enable relapse prevention.
https://bit.ly/477LjmY

03/09/2026

Attila Losonczy, M.D., Ph.D., a pioneer in cellular and circuit neuroscience, is leading our new Program In Memory Longevity that seeks to unlock the science behind memories that last a lifetime. Researchers will investigate how the brain encodes and preserves autobiographical memories tied to personally meaningful experiences. Learn how the research could lead to interventions that preserve or restore memory as we age. https://bit.ly/4u9XSIm

03/06/2026

Joseph Takahashi, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Neuroscience and O'Donnell Brain Institute Investigator, made one of science's most influential discoveries. The "clock gene" has reshaped how we understand circadian rhythms and their role in human health. Today, he is still chasing big questions and reminding young scientists that breakthroughs often come with patience. Learn more about Dr. Takahashi's path to becoming an internationally recognized scientist. https://bit.ly/4cw6LWn

He didn’t plan on becoming a scientist. But Dr. Joseph Takahashi, Professor and Chair of the Department of Neuroscience at UT Southwestern, went on to discov...

03/03/2026

UT Southwestern researchers analyzed more than 6,300 concussion cases reported by Texas high school athletes as well as participants in activities such as marching band and cheerleading. The study found that fewer concussions were reported in urban and lower-income schools compared to higher-income suburban districts. Learn about the reasons behind the reporting gap and potential solutions.

Fewer concussions were reported among Texas high school athletes and students in urban and lower-income districts than in higher-income suburban districts despite larger enrollments, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers found in a study.