Wright Caughman

Brain Health Center to address massive burden of brain disease

On any given day in the United States alone, more than 42 million people are fighting brain disease such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease. Treating these conditions costs more than $560 billion annually, and as the nation's senior population continues to grow, that devastating toll—both financial and human—will only continue to rise. Indeed, chronic neurologic and psychiatric conditions are predicted to be the overwhelming health issue of the next half century.

To help change the outlook for these disorders, Emory has launched a Brain Health Center, which brings to bear more than 400 researchers and clinicians who are working together from various locations to predict, prevent, treat, rehabilitate—and even cure—disorders of the brain. This collaborative community's mission is to advance research, education, and care in a science-driven, patient- and family-centered environment.

On April 30, the Emory Brain Health Center will host an open house at its new, state-of-the-art facility at Executive Park, Building 12, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. I hope you will stop by to learn more about the center's team, services, and amenities, which are truly world-class. (Please email Christine Agnone for more information if you plan to attend.) The Emory Brain Health Center is an outstanding step forward to advance our understanding and treatment of these conditions, which take far too much from far too many.

S. Wright Caughman, MD
Executive VP for Health Affairs
CEO, Woodruff Health Sciences Center