UT Dallas BrainHealth researchers receive seed funding for dementia studies

Researchers at UT Dallas’ Center for BrainHealth have new seed funding to explore dementia risk, early detection and support for caregivers, the center announced Oct. 9.

Friends of BrainHealth supporters invested more than $466,000 in this year’s awards, according to campaign co-chair Andy Walsh in the announcement. Six projects were recognized at a Sept. 28 luncheon at Dallas Country Club, with an audience vote selecting a seventh award.

The center is part of The University of Texas at Dallas, giving the work a connection to Richardson’s university community. The research facility itself is on West Mockingbird Lane in Dallas.

The funded work includes studies of biological indicators associated with cognitive resilience, dementia risk profiles, caregiver well-being and the relationship between retinal health and dementia risk.

The awards finance research questions. They do not establish that a treatment works or that a new diagnostic test is ready for patients.

The center says the funding is intended to help researchers build evidence for applications to the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. Those larger state grants remain a goal, rather than awards announced in this round.

Sources: Center for BrainHealth’s Oct. 9 announcement; UT Dallas affiliation; center location and research information.