Research Success Stories

From Seeds to Success

The following stories are only a sample of the progress Brain Research Foundation has enabled in the field of neuroscience. Every day, we’re helping researchers work toward important scientific discoveries that broaden the scope of our understanding. 

Vision
Neuronal Mechanisms of Visual Category Learning and Recognition
2008 Seed Grant
David Freedman, Ph.D. 
University of Chicago

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
F. Xavier Castellanos, M.D.
Neidich Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at 
NYU Langone Medical Center and Nathan Kline Institute  

Parkinson’s disease
Paul Greengard, Ph.D.
Vincent Astor Professor, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 
of the Comparative Bioscience Center, Rockefeller University 

Epilepsy
Role of TRIP8b in Epilepsy
2010 Seed Grant
Dane Chetkovich, M.D., Ph.D.
Department of Neurology
Northwestern University

Sleep Disorders and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Circadian Clocks and Neurodegeneration
2011 Seed Grant
Ravi Allada, M.D.
Department of Neurobiology and Physiology
Northwestern University

Sleep Disruption
Improving the sleep and circadian rhythms of mechanically ventilated patients
2006 Seed Grant
Brian K. Gehlbach, M.D.
The University of Chicago


Genetic Influences on Behavior
A pilot study of genetic and environmental influences on amygdala, orbital medial prefrontal cortex and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex activation: a twin study of fMRI
2007 Seed Grant
Kristen Jacobson, Ph.D. 
The University of Chicago

Ischemic Stroke
Could HuR, a regulator of growth factor mRNAs, improve outcome after ischemic stroke?
2011 Seed Grant
Agnieszka Ardelt, M.D., Ph.D. 
Department of Neurology
University of Chicago

Brain Tumors
Manipulate the Immune System to Destroy Brain Tumors
2006 Seed Grant
Maciej S. Lesniak, M.D.
University of Chicago

Brain Function
Genetic Mapping of DNA Methylation Regulators in Human Cerebellum 
2008 Seed Grant
Chunyu Liu, Ph.D.
University of Chicago

Alzheimer's and Epilepsy
Identifying "silent seizures" in Alzheimer's patients and seeking novel ways to use anti-seizure medications
2009 Seed Grant
Dean M. Hartley, Ph.D.
Rush University

Harsh Parenting and Mental Disorders
Functional Neurobiology of Harsh Maternal Parenting
2009 Seed Grant
Benjamin Lahey, Ph.D.
The University of Chicago

Adult Brain Neurogenesis
Regulation of Neural Stem Cells by Amyloid Precursor Protein Metabolites in the Adult Brain 
2011 Seed Grant
Orly Lazarov, Ph.D.
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
University of Illinois at Chicago

Schizophrenia
Deciphering the Roles of DISC1 Isoforms in Embryonic Brain Development
2009 Seed Grant
Jill Morris, Ph.D.
Children’s Memorial Research Center

Stress and Depression
Chronic stress is a potent triggering factor in depression and other psychiatric illnesses
2009 Seed Grant  
Jeremy Amiel Rosenkranz, Ph.D.
Rosalind Franklin University

Comprehending the Organization and Function of the Nervous System
Experimental and computational studies of pan-neuronal gene regulation
2007 Seed Grant
Ilya Ruvinsky, Ph.D. 
The University of Chicago

Autism Spectrum Disorder
Validation of synaptic targets in autism spectrum disorders
2011 Seed Grant
Peter Penzes, Ph.D.
Department of Physiology
Northwestern University

Nicotine Addiction
Behavioral and Dopaminergic Sensitization by Nicotine
2006 Seed Grant 
Paul Vezina, Ph.D
The University of Chicago













































































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