News and Announcements | Brain Institute

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Discovery Shows How Cancer Takes Hold As Cells Divide

Noelle D. Dwyer of the department of Cell Biology, the UVA Brain Institute and UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center, and team have revealed how mistakes in the final step of cell division can have dire consequences for developing brain cells.

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UVA Study Reveals Early Nuclear Membrane Disruption Drives Alzheimer’s Disease Progression

Research from the lab of Lulu Jiang, MD, PhD, in the Department of Neuroscience and the Center for Brain Immunology and Glia at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, has identified a previously unrecognized early mechanism of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

UVA Medicine in Motion

UVA professor Ali Güler (pictured left) and members of his research team, whose Nature study shows that a new class of oral GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs can act on brain circuits involved in reward and motivation, reshaping not just appetite but the desire for food. Photo credit: Evan Kutsko

UVA Study Reveals How New Weight-Loss Drugs Reshape the Brain

UVA professor Ali Güler and members of his research team, whose Nature study shows that a new class of oral GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs can act on brain circuits involved in reward and motivation, reshaping not just appetite but the desire for food.

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Q&A: How can workplaces better support neurodiversity?

Rose Nevill directs the UVA Neurodevelopmental Research Core, which provides research support to labs across UVA focused on neurodevelopmental conditions.

The Latest

Meet Merry Mani: Associate Professor, Radiology and Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering

Dr. Merry Mani is a pioneering researcher in biomedical imaging, dedicated to advancing our understanding of the human brain through innovative approaches. Her work focuses on developing next-generation imaging technologies that enhance the performance of non-invasive MRI-based imaging by leveraging advancements in hardware design and sophisticated signal processing techniques. She shared with us about her research and her background.

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New approach could transform epilepsy treatment

UVA researchers led by Manoj Patel have used an advanced gene-editing technique to correct the underlying cause of a severe form of epilepsy in lab mice. This breakthrough could one day lead to new treatments or cures.

EIG 2023 Presentation

2026 Epilepsy Interest Group (EIG) Research Retreat

The 2026 Epilepsy Research Retreat will be on April 23.

Elizabeth Proctor

Meet Elizabeth Proctor: New Faculty Member in the Department of Neurology

Dr. Elizabeth Proctor, Associate Professor and Vice Chair for Research of Neurology at UVA, joined the Department of Neurology in 2025. She shared with us about her research and her background.

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Manning Institute Accelerates Breakthroughs for Alzheimer’s and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases

The UVA Manning Institute of Biotechnology will bring together top researchers whose work spans the full spectrum of Alzheimer’s disease, from understanding its earliest mechanisms to identifying new treatment targets.

UVA Medicine in Motion

Pioneering Advances in Neuroscience: UVA’s Brain Institute connects researchers across disciplines. Researchers are tackling the biggest questions in neuroscience—from Alzheimer’s to epilepsy to early childhood development. Thanks to generous gifts and a $75M Grand Challenges investment, UVA is accelerating bold, collaborative work to better understand the brain and improve lives.

February 19, 2026

Pioneering Advances in Neuroscience | Campaign Impact

Researchers are tackling the biggest questions in neuroscience—from Alzheimer’s to epilepsy to early childhood development. Thanks to generous gifts and a $75M Grand Challenges investment, UVA is accelerating bold, collaborative work to better understand the brain and improve lives.

Meghan Puglia on couch with toys and bubbles

February 17, 2026

Q&A: Why are a child’s first 1,000 days so critical for brain building?

Meghan Puglia, associate professor of neurology, studies the explosive growth that unfolds in a child’s brain from birth to about 3, and how parents and caretakers can maximize a child’s potential.

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February 16, 2026

What songbirds can teach us about the human brain

Tracy Larson, assistant professor of biology, is studying how songbirds grow and lose brain cells with the seasons. Uncovering these clues could help treat neurological disorders like depression, Alzheimer’s disease and brain injuries.

Man standing and smiling with white background

February 12, 2026

Research in Motion: Ian Wenker, PhD

Ian Wenker, assistant professor of anesthesiology, explores how networks in the brain contribute to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.

UVA Medicine in Motion

Baby held while wearing brain cap

February 9, 2026

Mind Reading: Do Brain Scans Foretell Your Baby’s Social Skills

Recently published findings from the UVA Baby Lab found engagement in a part of babies’ brains when viewing smiling or happy faces predicted more social behavior in toddlerhood.