Understanding becomes healing

Scientists and clinicians at the O’Donnell Brain Institute have improved treatment options for patients with Parkinson’s by combining three distinct imaging techniques to target problem areas of the brain while also sparing the critical surrounding tissues. 

Scientists at the O’Donnell Brain Institute have developed an experimental technique that can prevent seizures in epilepsy patients. By monitoring a specific brain cell type that predicts seizures minutes in advance, scientists may be able to prevent the seizure using an edible acid that stabilizes misfiring neurons.

Scientists at the O’Donnell Brain Institute have shown for the first time in humans that the brain’s hippocampus fires at a different rate when retrieving and encoding memories than it does when experiencing new events. The discovery could lead to valuable treatments for memory disorders. 

By isolating a key circadian protein, BMAL-1, scientists at the O’Donnell Brain Institute have discovered that many sleep problems can begin in the muscles. When BMAL-1 is found in lower concentrations in the muscles, it may lead to sleep deprivation. The findings could lead to new sleep treatments.

Scientists at the O’Donnell Brain Institute are pursuing new treatments for cerebellar ataxia after uncovering ways that Purkinje cells regulate motor function. The discovery could lead to a new drug target for the disorder, which affects balance and muscle coordination.

An O’Donnell Brain Institute molecular biologist leads a team to new understanding of a key mechanism in Alzheimer’s disease, which may soon lead to a brand-new therapy.

An O’Donnell Brain Institute neuroscientist is shedding light on the numerous ways our internal clocks impact our overall health, including the impact of daylight saving time.

An O’Donnell Brain Institute clinical psychiatry researcher is finding new ways to make sure depression patients get the best medication for their unique biomarkers.

UT Southwestern becomes the first hospital in Texas to use fluorescence to improve brain surgery outcomes.

An O’Donnell Brain Institute gene research team is successfully halting muscular dystrophy in the lab.