Alzheimer’s disease and other brain disorders, which influence memory, cognition, behavior, and overall quality of life, affect millions of people worldwide. As the population ages and neurological disorders become increasingly prevalent, the need for fundamental research into brain function and disease has never been greater.
At the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences, researchers are advancing neuroscience discoveries through molecular biology, pharmacology, drug discovery, and more. Their work seeks to understand how the brain functions in health and disease, identify new therapeutic targets, and develop innovative treatments for conditions ranging from Alzheimer’s and addiction to depression and epilepsy.
In recognition of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, we are highlighting a selection of recent discoveries and ongoing efforts from our research community.
Advancing Alzheimer’s research
SOMBS researchers are pursuing new strategies to understand and treat Alzheimer’s, building on decades of discoveries in neuroscience and drug development.
- Researchers at the WCNDD developed two novel compounds that enable scientists to study TAOK proteins, a family of proteins linked to Alzheimer’s and other neurological disorders. The discovery provides valuable new research tools for understanding disease mechanisms and could help pave the way for future therapeutic approaches that don’t rely on targeting amyloid plaques, more “traditional” targets that have yielded mixed results.
- Carrie Jones, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology, is recognized for her leadership in neuropharmacology research at Vanderbilt’s WCNDD, where she investigates new therapeutic approaches for central nervous system disorders, including Alzheimer’s. Her work has advanced our understanding of how brain receptors function and how these signaling pathways can be leveraged to develop novel treatments. Her work led to her recognition as a pioneering faculty and one of the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization’s Master Innovators.
- Scientists from across the university gather each year for the Vanderbilt Alzheimer’s Disease Research Day to share discoveries and foster collaborations aimed at improving outcomes for patients and families affected by the disease.
- The Vanderbilt Memory & Alzheimer’s Center recently received federal funding to continue supporting world-class Alzheimer’s research, helping strengthen Vanderbilt’s leadership in the fight against neurodegenerative disease. SOMBS faculty members Timothy Hohman and Paul Newhouse, both professors of pharmacology, are part of the VMAC core leadership team.
- Nobel Prize–winning discoveries by Vanderbilt scientist Stanley Cohen helped establish the field of nerve and epidermal growth factor biology. Today, research on nerve growth factor is being explored as a potential therapeutic avenue for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, demonstrating the long-term impact of fundamental scientific discovery.
Exploring how the brain works
The Vanderbilt Brain Institute, which is led by Barlow Family Director Lisa Monteggia, serves as a hub for neuroscience research, bringing together investigators from across the SOMBS and Vanderbilt to study the brain at varying scales, from molecules and cells to circuits and behavior.
- In 2025, the Vanderbilt Brain Institute celebrated 25 years of discovery, collaboration, and innovation in neuroscience research.
- Shan Meltzer, a VBI member, was named a 2026 Sloan Research Fellow for pioneering research on how neural circuits are assembled and organized.
- Ege Kavalali’s research continues to uncover fundamental mechanisms of neuronal communication, providing insights into processes that underlie learning, memory, and neurological disease. Kavalali is chair of the Department of Pharmacology.
- Trainees across the SOMBS are helping drive new discoveries, including Kirsty Erickson, whose work as part of the neuroscience graduate program contributes to our understanding of brain function and disease.
Understanding addiction and mental health
Many Vanderbilt researchers, including those working in the Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, are focused on understanding how the brain changes in response to experience, disease, and therapeutic intervention. VCAR brings together scientists from across disciplines to investigate the biological mechanisms underlying substance use disorders and develop more effective treatment strategies.
- Director of VCAR Erin Calipari examines how drugs alter brain circuitry and behavior, helping uncover mechanisms that contribute to addiction and relapse.
- Prashant Donthamsetti, assistant professor of pharmacology, recently received a prestigious National Institutes of Health Pioneer Award to advance innovative research into the neural circuitry underlying addiction.
- Research led by Monteggia continues to illuminate the biological mechanisms underlying depression and antidepressant responses. A recent study by her and Kavalali exploring ketamine-based therapies has provided new insights into pathways that may offer longer-lasting relief for individuals with treatment-resistant depression.
Building the future of brain research
Vanderbilt researchers are also developing new technologies and approaches that could transform the future of neuroscience.
- Quynh-Anh Nguyen, assistant professor of pharmacology, recently received a prestigious Klingenstein Fellowship to investigate the mechanisms underlying epilepsy. Nguyen is the first Vanderbilt University recipient of a neuroscience Klingenstein fellowship since 1985.
- Researchers across Vanderbilt are exploring how emerging neurotechnologies, including brain-computer interfaces, may help restore cognitive function and improve outcomes for individuals with neurological disorders.
Collaborative efforts spanning basic science, engineering, medicine, and computational biology continue to create new opportunities for understanding the brain and developing innovative therapies.
The SOMBS remains committed to advancing discoveries that improve our understanding of the brain and accelerate the development of new treatments for neurological disease. Thanks to federal funding, fellowships and grants, and philanthropic support from our community, Vanderbilt researchers are helping build a future with better outcomes for patients affected by Alzheimer’s and other brain disorders.