UT Southwestern Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute

Neurosurgeon, Dr. Toral Patel, and neurologist, Dr. Michael Youssef, are testing new methods for treating glioblastoma and leptomeningeal disease, two of the most complex brain cancers. Their clinical research is aimed at overcoming challenges to treating these cancers, namely, minimizing damage to surrounding brain tissue and getting therapies past the blood-brain barrier. Learn more about the clinical trials underway: https://bit.ly/3LpmHe7

The UT Southwestern Stroke Team has earned the American Heart Association's "Get With the Guidelines – Stroke GoldPlus" quality achievement award. This recognition reflects our team's commitment to evidence-based patient care that leads to better patient outcomes. The stroke program was also recognized for providing outstanding care for Type 2 diabetes patients with stroke who may be at higher risk for complications. Congratulations to all!

Clinical Psychology Graduate Student, Alyssa Kaiser, has received the prestigious Jess Hay Chancellor's Fellowship from The University of Texas System. Alyssa is researching novel technologies and psychometric techniques for the early detection of Alzheimer's.

Two of our researchers have made it to the finals of the Texas Regional CTSA Consortium (TRCC) competition where they will present their research in lay language in only three minutes. The TRCC is a research network that advances innovative practices in translational science across Texas. Dr. Kent Simmonds (left) will present his work involving the use of anti-depressants after a stroke, and Dr. Syed Faaiz Enam will talk about a device he is developing that could slow the growth of brain tumors.

Congratulations to the Neurosurgery residents who celebrated the completion of their training at UT Southwestern. Dr. Matthew MacAllister is going into private practice in Oklahoma City; Dr. James Caruso will be doing a spine fellowship at NYU; and Dr. Vishal Patel has taken a position at Houston Methodist West. We wish you all the best in this step of your careers.
Photo (l-r) Dr. Nader Pouratian, Chair of Neurosurgery; Dr. Matthew MacAllister; Dr. James Caruso; Dr. Vishal Patel; Dr. Jonathan White, Director of Neurosurgery Residency Program.

OBI Clinical Neuroscience Scholar, Dr. Manish Jha, is first author on a study comparing ketamine infusions with electroconvulsive therapy for patients with treatment resistant . The research is the first to identify characteristics that distinguish which treatment might benefit these patients more. https://bit.ly/4eTAqaK

Shout out to the UT Southwestern Neurology Neuromuscular section (top photo) and the University Hospital Sleep and Breathing Disorders Clinic team (bottom photos) for allowing themselves to be doused in ice water. They readily accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge to support their colleague Dr. Michael Ibarra. Dr. Ibarra learned he had the disease in his early 30s and is one of the growing number of people under the age of 45 living with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.)

Neurology Chair, Dr. Elan Louis, co-led a study in which a statistical tool designed to analyze characteristics of postmortem brains reliably diagnosed a common disease known as essential tremor (ET). The findings could eventually help relatives of deceased ET patients know their hereditary risk of getting the disease. Learn more.

Diagnosing essential tremor after death helps families learn risk A statistical tool designed to analyze 11 characteristics of postmortem brains reliably diagnosed a common neurodegenerative disease known as essential tremor (ET), a study led by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Columbia University shows.

Neurosurgeon, Dr. Toral Patel, has been accepted into the UT Southwestern Executive Leadership in Healthcare Program. The course empowers female faculty members who have demonstrated strong potential for executive roles. Dr. Patel is an expert in the latest techniques and technologies for treating brain tumors.

A big welcome to Chris Snell, a 2024 fellow in the O'Donnell Brain Institute's Neural Scientist Training Program (NSTP). Chris is a Graduate Student and Research Tech in the Hattori Lab investigating how brains are wired to respond flexibly to the environment based on past experience and current needs. NSTP supports exceptional graduate students pursuing careers focused on nervous system function. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3z0mP0M

Researchers and clinicians at UT Southwestern are integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into their work leading to improved patient outcomes. Learn how is transforming diagnosis and treatment for a variety of diseases including depression, Parkinson's, and autism.

AI improving treatments for diabetes, depression, cancer, and more | Brain | Cancer | Discovery | Mental Health | UT Southwestern Medical Center Artificial intelligence and deep machine learning are being used in a variety of ways to enhance medical research and potentially improve patient care at UT Southwestern.

O'Donnell Brain Institute Investigator, Dr. Munro Cullum, says new research shows promise for an early screening tool that could help identify patients at risk of developing dementia. In a recent study at UT Southwestern, a novel AI speech analysis tool successfully detected mild cognitive impairment and dementia in a Spanish-speaking population. Learn more.
https://bit.ly/4bHii1x

The UT Southwestern Neuroscience Department teamed up with STARS (Science Teacher Access to Resources at Southwestern) to make Neuroscience Day a big success. The event included hands-on activities, tours, and lectures to spark interest in neuroscience and educate students about STEM careers. More than 200 middle and high school students, plus teachers from several area school districts attended.
https://bit.ly/3VlYAmd

Getting students stoked about science on STARS Neuroscience Day at UTSW: CT Plus, UT Southwestern, Dallas, Texas Getting students stoked about science on STARS Neuroscience Day at UTSW 2024

Frederick Hitti, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery and Psychiatry, received the 2024 Distinguished Researcher Award from the UT Southwestern President's Research Council. Dr. Hitti studies the brain circuits involved in treatment resistant (TRD) with the goal of developing novel therapeutic approaches to successfully treat the disease.

O'Donnell Brain Institute Investigators, Genevieve Konopka, Ph.D., and Jay Gibson, Ph.D., co-led a study on a gene tied to a rare form of spectrum disorder called FOXP1 syndrome. Their findings offer hope that gene therapy may be able to help patients with this condition in the future. Learn more about the study.
https://bit.ly/3KdpOVN

Dr. Elizabeth Heitman, Professor of Psychiatry, is one of two UT Southwestern faculty members elected this year as American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellows. Dr. Heitman is being honored for her pioneering efforts in the fields of research ethics and education in the responsible conduct of research. AAAS is the world’s largest multidisciplinary scientific society with members from more than 90 countries. https://bit.ly/3JHUbDE

And last, but certainly not least, our 5th Sprouts Grant awardee for 2024 is Mandy Eckhardt. Mandy is a graduate student and member of the Stroud Lab. The Sprouts grants support creative, high-quality research while advancing the training of early career scientists.

UT Southwestern's Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit was recognized for their creativity and team spirit during Nurses Week. They put together a fun video that won the Judges' Choice Award in the Nurses Week video competition. Take a look.
https://bit.ly/44Jxqcm

2024 Nurses Week Spirit Video Finalist: NSICU This is "2024 Nurses Week Spirit Video Finalist: NSICU" by UT Southwestern on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

The Annual O'Donnell Brain Institute Research Day is underway on North Campus.
UTSW scientists who have received OBI grants are giving updates on their research projects. Learn more about how we support research exploring new directions in . https://bit.ly/4bPJxab

Rahulraj Mishra, M.S., UT Southwestern graduate student and researcher in Dr. Todd Roberts' lab, is a 2024 awardee of the O'Donnell Brain Institute Sprouts Grant. These awards support creative and high-quality research that also advances the training of early career laboratory or clinical scientists.

Congratulations to Dr. Steven Vernino (on left) who was recognized with the 2024 Irwin Schatz Award for Autonomic Disorders. The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) bestows the honor on senior investigators who have made major contributions to the field. Dr. Vernino specializes in disorders as well as autoimmune and neuromuscular disorders. He is also director of the Autonomic Disorders Clinic and the Autonomic Disorders Fellowship.

Join the O'Donnell Brain Institute team for this year's Head for the Cure 5K - North Texas to raise awareness and funding for brain cancer patients, their families, friends, caregivers, and other supporters. Proceeds support clinical research and patient programs. (See the image for registration discount code.) https://give.headforthecure.org/team/541069

A new study by O'Donnell Brain Institute researchers found that patients with essential tremor (ET) developed at three times the rate of similarly aged people in the general population. The findings will help doctors counsel ET patients on their cognitive prognosis, future plans, and potential treatments. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3xRqnBY

Essential tremor triples dementia risk, UTSW study shows Patients with a common movement disorder known as essential tremor (ET) developed dementia at three times the rate of similarly aged people in the general population, a study led by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers shows.

The UT Southwestern Neurology movement disorders team and O'Donnell Brain Institute hosted the Total Care Parkinson's Disease Symposium on Saturday. The event brought together medical professionals, patients, and caregivers for a day of learning and connection. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Dr. Bill Dauer, Director of the O'Donnell Brain Institute, Dr. Lauren Miterko, and Dr. Sam Pappas were featured in an article about the importance of the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation's (DMRF) mentorship and funding programs for young investigators. Read more to learn how an early career fellowship from DMRF supported and shaped Dr. Dauer's research.
https://bit.ly/3U5ExGR

Dystonia Dialogue Spring 2024 Page 4

The UT Southwestern Geriatric Psychiatry Clinic has launched a program for caregivers of those with . The clinic will offer a series of educational workshops to help caregivers navigate behavioral and communication challenges. Learn more.

How to reduce the stress when caring for someone with dementia Caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is challenging. In addition to the financial and physical demands, many caregivers are unprepared for the stress of trying to effectively communicate with a loved one who may be prone to agitation, verbal aggression, and hallucinations.

Neurology Resident, Dr. Navid Manouchehri, was awarded a 2024 O'Donnell Brain Institute Sprouts Grant for his research in the Stuve Lab. Sprouts grants encourage creative, high-quality research that also advances the training of early career laboratory or clinical scientists.

O'Donnell Brain Institute Investigator, Lukasz Joachimiak, Ph.D., led a study that gained insight into the workings of proteins called oligomeric chaperones that play a role in some degenerative and neurodegenerative disorders. The findings could lead to better diagnostics and treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and Parkinson's. Learn more:
https://bit.ly/3VOTmAg

Dr. Jonathan White has been named the inaugural holder of the Mitch Hart Distinguished Professorship in Neurological Innovation. Dr. White is one of only a few trained in three surgical methods for brain disorders - traditional open neurosurgical techniques, endovascular, and cerebral bypass.