UCLA Brain Research Institute: A Pioneer in Neuroscience

The UCLA Brain Research Institute (BRI) stands as a pivotal force in advancing our understanding of the human brain. As one of the first neuroscience research collectives established in the United States, the BRI has a rich history of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and driving groundbreaking discoveries.

Historical Overview and Founding Principles

The UCLA Brain Research Institute (BRI) was founded in 1959 by Drs. John French, Horace “Tid” Magoun, Donald Lindsley, and Charles Sawyer with the purpose of creating a central body responsible for promoting neuroscience as a distinctive, inherently interdisciplinary research endeavor.

UCLA had already emerged as a national leader in neuroscience research during the 1950s. Institute co-founder Magoun came to UCLA to head the Department of Anatomy (now Neurobiology). His organizational efforts and research partnerships with other departments attracted prominent new faculty such as Arnold Scheibel and Carmine Clemente who would become central figures in BRI leadership in decades to come.

The BRI's establishment marked a significant step in recognizing neuroscience as an inherently interdisciplinary field. This vision was brought to life by Drs. John French, Horace “Tid” Magoun, Donald Lindsley, and Charles Sawyer, who sought to create a central hub for promoting collaborative research. UCLA had already distinguished itself in neuroscience during the 1950s, and Magoun's arrival to lead the Department of Anatomy (now Neurobiology) further solidified this position. His leadership and partnerships with other departments attracted prominent faculty members like Arnold Scheibel and Carmine Clemente, who would play key roles in the BRI's leadership in the following decades.

The BRI's initial structure physically embodied its commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration. The first building dedicated to the BRI brought down physical barriers to interdisciplinary collaborations by placing the departments of anatomy, biophysics and nuclear medicine, infectious diseases, neurology, neurosurgery, pathology, pediatrics, pharmacology, physiology chemistry, physiology, psychiatry, psychology and zoology together. At the time, the L-shaped structure formed a bridge between the medical school and the Neuropsychiatric Institute.

Growth and Evolution

In 1961, the BRI had 67 members. Thirty years later, with 162 members it became clear that the BRI had outgrown its original space. At present, the Brain Research Institute has almost 300 members. In 2016 these faculty published over 1000 research papers in a wide-ranging series of eminent journals. BRI continues to be a magnet for some of the best neuroscience researchers in the world.

Thanks to an unprecedented gift from the Goldschmied family, the Gonda (Goldschmied) Neuroscience and Genetics Research Center was constructed and in 1998 became the new home of the BRI and UCLA’s Department of Human Genetics. The Ahmanson addition to the original BRI building is nearing completion. The building housed facilities for human brain imaging. It underwent many re-configurations and is currently being remodeled as a student learning center.

The BRI's growth reflects the increasing importance and complexity of neuroscience research. Starting with 67 members in 1961, the institute has expanded to almost 300 members today. This expansion has been accompanied by a significant increase in research output, with faculty publishing over 1000 research papers in eminent journals in 2016 alone. The construction of the Gonda (Goldschmied) Neuroscience and Genetics Research Center in 1998, made possible by a generous gift from the Goldschmied family, provided a new home for the BRI and UCLA's Department of Human Genetics.

Mission and Core Functions

The UCLA Brain Research Institute (BRI) is a catalyst for education, outreach, and research collaborations among scientists, engineers and clinicians who seek to understand the healthy and diseased brain. In order to accomplish this mission, the BRI provides multiple financial, informational, and operational resources to invigorate research programs and support collaborations bringing together investigators from disparate scientific fields. The BRI also co-ordinates a large portion of neuroscience educational programs on campus, including the undergraduate and graduate Neuroscience Interdepartmental Programs (NSIDP). Through its outreach programs the BRI strives to enrich scientific knowledge in the community.

The BRI's mission is multifaceted, encompassing education, outreach, and research collaborations. It serves as a catalyst, bringing together scientists, engineers, and clinicians to unravel the complexities of the brain in both health and disease. To achieve this mission, the BRI provides a range of resources, including financial support, information dissemination, and operational assistance. These resources are designed to stimulate research programs and facilitate collaborations among investigators from diverse scientific backgrounds. The BRI also plays a central role in coordinating neuroscience educational programs on campus, including the undergraduate and graduate Neuroscience Interdepartmental Programs (NSIDP).

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Educational Programs and Training

The BRI co-ordinates neuroscience educational programs on campus, including the undergraduate and graduate Neuroscience Interdepartmental Programs (NSIDP).

These programs provide students with a comprehensive understanding of neuroscience, preparing them for careers in research, medicine, and other related fields.

Outreach and Community Engagement

Through its outreach programs the BRI strives to enrich scientific knowledge in the community, Highlights of outreach are summer research programs and hosting visits to and from local K-12 schools.

The BRI has active neuroscience education and outreach programs throughout the year, through which UCLA students visit K-12 schools around the Los Angeles neighborhoods to teach about the brain, or host them at the BRI research facilities. These programs include InterAxon, Project Brainstorm, and Brain Awareness Week, which are led by neuroscience undergraduate and graduate students and reach around 1000 K-12 students each year. The institute also co-sponsors the Drug Abuse and Society Program, which aims to present accurate, knowledgeable, and age-appropriate lectures on specific legal and illegal drugs of abuse to high school students, and co-hosts the Los Angeles Chapter of the International Brain Bee, an annual competition rewarding high school students with advanced knowledge of neuroscience.

The CELL Scholar program started in 2022 partners with a local high school to enable research for Grade 11/12 students. Each year, the BRI also hosts summer research programs through its Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (BRI-SURE), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (UCLA-HBCU), and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI-SOMA) for undergraduate as well as Neurocamp for high school students.

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The BRI is committed to extending its knowledge and resources beyond the university campus. Its outreach programs aim to enrich scientific understanding within the community, with a focus on K-12 education. These programs include InterAxon, Project Brainstorm, and Brain Awareness Week, which are led by neuroscience undergraduate and graduate students and reach around 1000 K-12 students each year. The institute also co-sponsors the Drug Abuse and Society Program, which aims to present accurate, knowledgeable, and age-appropriate lectures on specific legal and illegal drugs of abuse to high school students, and co-hosts the Los Angeles Chapter of the International Brain Bee, an annual competition rewarding high school students with advanced knowledge of neuroscience. The CELL Scholar program started in 2022 partners with a local high school to enable research for Grade 11/12 students. Each year, the BRI also hosts summer research programs through its Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (BRI-SURE), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (UCLA-HBCU), and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI-SOMA) for undergraduate as well as Neurocamp for high school students.

Leadership and Structure

The BRI Director heads a leadership team composed of the Neuroscience Interdepartmental Programs Chairs and the Directors for Research, Education and Outreach.

This leadership structure ensures that the BRI's activities are aligned with its mission and that its resources are used effectively.

Research Focus and Impact

BRI continues to be a magnet for some of the best neuroscience researchers in the world. It remains a powerful incubator of basic and medical science research endeavors leading to a deeper understanding of the human brain and clinical strategies that will become viable treatments for diseases and disorders such as Genetics of Mental Disorders, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, autism, schizophrenia and addiction.

UCLA researchers have: created the nicotine patch for smoking treatment; proved that secondhand smoke can affect brain chemistry and function; cloned brain targets for opiate drugs; done the first imaging studies of drug craving in humans; developed the mini scope, a device that had led to understanding how the brain links memories across time and how spatial coding breaks down in epilepsy, introduced addiction services in many parts of the world, and led efforts for WHO, the UN, the Department of State, and the State of California.

The BRI's research spans a wide range of topics, from the fundamental mechanisms of brain function to the development of new treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders. Its researchers have made significant contributions to our understanding of:

Genetics of Mental Disorders: Identifying genes and pathways that contribute to mental illnesses.
Parkinson's Disease: Developing new therapies to slow the progression of the disease and alleviate symptoms.
Alzheimer's Disease: Investigating the causes of Alzheimer's and developing strategies for prevention and treatment.
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Understanding the neural basis of autism and developing interventions to improve outcomes.
Schizophrenia: Studying the brain abnormalities associated with schizophrenia and developing more effective treatments.
Addiction: Investigating the neurobiological mechanisms of addiction and developing new approaches to prevention and treatment.

UCLA researchers have also achieved notable breakthroughs, including:

Creating the nicotine patch for smoking treatment.
Proving that secondhand smoke can affect brain chemistry and function.
Cloning brain targets for opiate drugs.
Conducting the first imaging studies of drug craving in humans.
Developing the mini scope, a device that has led to understanding how the brain links memories across time and how spatial coding breaks down in epilepsy.
Introducing addiction services in many parts of the world.
Leading efforts for WHO, the UN, the Department of State, and the State of California.

Funding and National Ranking

UCLA receives over $1 billion in federal grants, much of it for neuroscience. This has helped BRI possess the #1 Neuroscience Research Program in the country. UCLA is ranked the #1 public education program in the country by US News.

The BRI's success is supported by significant funding, including a substantial portion of the over $1 billion in federal grants received by UCLA for neuroscience research. This funding has enabled the BRI to achieve the #1 ranking for Neuroscience Research Programs in the country. UCLA's overall reputation as the #1 public education program in the country further enhances the BRI's standing as a leading center for neuroscience research.

Publications

Joshua T Trachtenberg. Competition, inhibition, and critical periods of cortical plasticity. Curr. Opin. Neurobiol. Yang Qu, Andrew J Fuligni, Adriana Galvan, et al. Buffering effect of positive parent-child relationships on adolescent risk taking: A longitudinal neuroimaging investigation. Jacob G Dubroff, Robert K Doot, Mary Falcone, et al. Decreased Nicotinic Receptor Availability in Smokers with Slow Rates of Nicotine Metabolism. J. Nucl. Med. Chase S Linsley, Viola Y Quach, Gaurav Agrawal, et al. Visible light and near-infrared-responsive chromophores for drug delivery-on-demand applications.

The BRI's faculty members consistently publish high-impact research in leading scientific journals, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in neuroscience. These publications cover a wide range of topics, reflecting the breadth and depth of the BRI's research expertise.

Seminars

12:00pmGeriatric Psychiatry Grand Rounds (GPGR) - Ellen E. 9:00amNeurology Grand Rounds (NGR) - Beth Ann Malow, M.D., M.S.1:00pmMagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) Seminar Series - James J.

The BRI hosts a variety of seminars and lectures throughout the year, providing a forum for researchers to share their findings and engage in discussions about the latest advances in neuroscience. These events contribute to the BRI's vibrant intellectual environment and foster collaboration among researchers.

Image

Image: Cortical organoid with rosettes containing ventricular radial glia cells (SOX2, red) which give rise to intermediate neural progenitor cells (TBR2, green).

Visual representations of research findings, such as images of cortical organoids, provide valuable insights into the complex structures and processes of the brain. These images help to communicate research findings to a wider audience and inspire further investigation.

Noted researchers

H. S. Christopher J. Erica N. Hakeem O. Gregory A. S.

The BRI boasts a distinguished faculty of leading neuroscientists, whose expertise and dedication drive the institute's research and educational mission. These researchers are recognized for their contributions to the field and their commitment to training the next generation of neuroscientists.

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