The brain controls everything we do and think, and we’re only starting to understand how it works. While neurological research may not be as exciting as cutting-edge smartphone technology, it’s absolutely vital to the pursuit of knowledge and treating diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or multiple sclerosis (MS). Learn more about neurological research below.
What Is Brain Research?
Brain research (or neurological research as it’s commonly referred to) is a broad term for medical, scientific, and technological studies that advance our understanding of how and why our brains function. These studies include neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, autism spectrum disorder, or Multiple Sclerosis; psychiatric disorders like anxiety or depression; sensory issues like hearing loss or (removed color) blindness; neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease or Huntington’s disease; and traumatic brain injuries.
Types of Brain Research Programs
Here at BRF, we fund a broad scope of brain research programs through our Seed Grants and our annual Scientific Innovations Award.
The funding has been used to make some amazing discoveries about the brain, from how it works, to the links between lifestyle and disorders, and important findings about medical treatment and how the brain reacts to it.
How Can You Get Involved with Funding Neuroscience Research?
There are a number of ways to support BRF in our work and continue funding for essential research programs that will aid both medical and academic methodology in the future.
Whether making a donation on our website or attending one of our events, you can be assured that the money raised by BRF goes directly to studies performed by both researchers and institutes working on the latest neurological advances.
Dr. Aimee Kao generates human cell lines to model neurodegenerative disorders The BRF Seed Grant was crucial in establishing us as a lab that is leading the work on neuroregeneration…
Ravi Allada, M.D., Professor of Neurobiology at Northwestern University, is interested in the molecular mechanisms underlying circadian rhythms and their links to various clinical disorders, including insomnia, depression and even…
“The BRF Scientific Innovations Award allowed us to do bold, transformative work for which there was no precedent. I am grateful that BRF takes risks on innovation.”
In 2002 Dr. Nicholas Hatsopoulos, Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy at The University of Chicago, was awarded his first $25,000 seed grant. His lab set out to understand the…
Our Grants
José Manuel Baizabal Carballo, Ph.D., Indiana University Bloomington
Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism and schizophrenia, are frequently associated with mutations in genes that encode chromatin-modifying enzymes. A subset of these mutations is thought to disrupt compacted chromatin (heterochromatin),…
Jessica L. Bolton, Ph.D., Georgia State University
All humans are born with a unique combination of genes, which contribute greatly to who we are. However, early-life experiences such as trauma or hardship, particularly during the first few…
As we age, the brain’s ability to function declines, increasing the risk of cognitive impairments and neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Our research investigates how caloric restriction (CR), a…
Vasileios Christopoulos, Ph.D., University of Southern California
This research aims to better understand how the brain and spinal cord work together to control urination, a process known as micturition. In healthy individuals, this process is carefully coordinated…
Animals can work together in groups to achieve specific aims with higher success rates than if acting alone. For communally-living and consociating species such as humans and rodents, group dynamics…
Regenerative medicine may one day enable us to repair brain damage caused by injury and disease. While humans and other mammals cannot regenerate the central nervous system, fish have an…
Doris Tsao, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
Our research will try to understand how special substances called psychedelics can help the brain see the world differently. When people are sad or worried, their brains sometimes get “stuck”…
James J DiCarlo, M.D., Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
DiCarlo’s research team is exploring an innovative approach to address emotional challenges, such as anxiety and depression. Traditional treatments for these disorders can be complex and often cause unpleasant side effects,…
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a genetic disorder that affects a person’s development, learning, and behavior. It’s the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability. Symptoms: Physical features: Inheritance: FXS…
This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional. The mirror can be a deceptive tool, especially for someone grappling with Anorexia Nervosa. What starts…
Caring for a loved one living with dementia touches the lives of the entire family. It brings forth a unique set of challenges and questions, often prompting concerns like: What…
Heterochromatin Mechanisms of Cortical Expansion
Understanding the Mechanisms of Micturition in the Brain and Spinal Cord
Understanding how psychedelics affect top-down belief propagation in the primate brain
