A groundbreaking facility dedicated to the study and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases is set to open in San Antonio, Texas. The $100 million Center for Brain Health, scheduled to launch in December 2025, aims to revolutionize the way conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are diagnosed and treated in South Texas and beyond.
According to Sudha Seshadri, MD, DM, founding director of the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, the center will provide a comprehensive approach to care. “We are trying to bring together in this one space all that we need for top-quality research, and all that patients and families have told us they need to live the best possible life they can,” Seshadri stated.
Innovative Facilities and Services
The Center for Brain Health will feature advanced medical technologies, including the most powerful medical imaging device in South Texas—a 7-tesla MRI. This imaging technology offers enhanced resolution, allowing medical professionals to observe critical areas of the brain, such as the brain stem, where diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s often begin.
Seshadri explained the significance of this capability, saying, “You can see areas like the brain stem. The brain stem has tiny nuclei called the locus coeruleus, which is where Alzheimer’s begins.”
Additionally, the center will include twelve infusion suites for patients receiving the latest Alzheimer’s medications, which require intravenous delivery. Patients will also have access to a variety of therapies, including physical therapy, art therapy, and music therapy, all within the same facility.
For those traveling from other locations, such as Austin or Corpus Christi, the center aims to streamline care. Seshadri noted, “If they have come down from Austin for two days, or from Corpus Christi for two days, they can get this done on day one and day two and go back.”
Support for Patients and Caregivers
In recognition of the challenges faced by families dealing with neurodegenerative diseases, the Center will also offer education and support for caregivers. Seshadri emphasized the importance of involving the community, stating, “I think San Antonio is well on its way to being a city that changes what we know about dementia and how we treat it.”
As excitement builds around the upcoming opening, Seshadri expressed optimism about the collaborative spirit in San Antonio. She remarked, “We know that we cannot do it alone in San Antonio; we need to work with all the wonderful people all across the world. But the spirit I’ve seen here, I have not seen in my 60 years, until now.”
The Center for Brain Health is poised to make a significant impact on the landscape of dementia care and research, offering hope to patients and families in the region and beyond.
