Research

Understanding the neurobiology of the developing and maturing brain is key to identifying, treating, and eventually preventing neurological disorders and diseases. Research topics under the theme of Development include: Neurogenesis and Gliogenesis, Postnatal Neurogenesis, Stem Cells and Reprogramming, Transplantation and Regeneration, Axon and Dendrite Development, Synaptogenesis and Activity-Dependent Development, Developmental Disorders (including human and animal models of Autism, Rett syndrome, Fragile X, Down syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Specific Language Impairment, Dyslexia, and other neurobehavioral and developmental disorders), Development of Motor, Sensory, and Limbic Systems, Adolescent Development, and Development and Evolution.

This area focuses on teaching the History of Neuroscience at all educational levels, including public outreach. Public Awareness of Neuroscience, and Ethical and Policy Issues in Neuroscience, are critical to maintaining public support for funding and research.

Topics under this theme include the study of how the neuroendocrine system keeps the body in balance: Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Neuroendocrine Processes, Neuroimmunology, Autonomic Regulation, and the regulation of Stress, Thirst and Water Balance, Food Intake and Energy Balance. Biological Rhythms, including the mechanisms of Sleep, are also included, as is Brain Blood Flow, Metabolism, Neuroethology and Homeostasis in general.

The theme of Motivation and Emotion includes Appetitive and Aversive Learning, Motivation, Emotion, Mood Disorders: Depression and Bipolar Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Other Psychiatric Disorders, Drugs of Abuse and Addiction.

UTHealth Houston researchers studying motor systems examine topics such as Eye Movements, Voluntary Movements, Posture and Gait, Rhythmic Motor Pattern Generation, Respiratory Regulation, Motor Neurons and Muscle. Included under this theme are topics examining cellular mechanisms and the structure and function of the Cerebellum and Basal Ganglia. Advances in Brain-Machine Interface is also included.
 

Research under this theme comprises a wide range of topics spanning from cellular mechanisms to complex network interactions. These topics include Neurotransmitters, Transporters, Signaling Molecules, Ligand-gated Ion Channels, G-protein Coupled Receptors, Ion Channels, Neurotransmitter Release, Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity, Intrinsic Membrane Properties, Network Interactions, Epilepsy, Glial Mechanisms, Demyelinating Disorders, and Neuro-oncology.

Researchers under this theme focus on the anatomical, biochemical, molecular and behavioral aspects of traumatic injury of the nervous system and neurodegenerative disorders, with the ultimate goal of improved therapies. Neurodegenerative disorders include Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, Parkinson’s Disease and Other Movement Disorders (including Huntington’s disease, Ataxias, Dystonia), Tauopathies, Tau-dementias, Prion diseases, and Neuromuscular Diseases. Injury from Ischemia, Stroke, Brain and Spinal Cord Trauma, as well as the roles of Neurotoxicity, Inflammation, and Neuroprotection are also examined with relation to trauma and injury. General Brain Wellness and Aging are included under this theme as well.

Numerous senses such as seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching hold the key to our interaction with the outside world. Researchers at UTHealth are studying the way sensory stimuli are converted into electrical impulses, along with genetic defects that hinder this process, leading to conditions such as blindness and deafness. Topics in this theme include Sensory Disorders, Somatosensation, Pain and Touch, Olfaction and Taste, Auditory and Vestibular Systems, Vision, Visual Sensory-motor Processing, and Multisensory Integration.

This area includes the development of new Molecular, Biochemical, and Genetic Techniques, Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Anatomical Methods, Physiological Methods, Biomarker and Drug Discovery, Computation, Modeling, and Simulation, Data Analysis and Statistics.