Brain-Related Research IBRF Is Currently Targeting

Disorders of Consciousness

• Pervasive Developmental — Behavioral/Emotional
  
  • Learning Disabilities
  • ADD and ADHD
  • Schizophrenia
  • Bipolar Disorder and Depressive Disorders
• Coma (from multiple causes)
• Traumatic brain injury
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Tourette's Syndrome
• Dementias and Disorders of Movement
  
  • Alzheimer's
  • Parkinson's
  • Huntington's

Advances in Neuropsychopharmacology & Experimental Neurosurgery

• Nanotechnology / Brain-machine interface collaboration

Normal Brain Development and Aging

Neuropsychiatric and Cognitive Neurobehavioral Disorders Related to

• Stroke
• Toxins
• Tumors
• Seizures

The IBRF Research Venues

IBRF is in a unique position in that the venues for the consortium for translational research in neuroscience will be conducted at multiple key sites around the world.

As the first and only global medical research foundation focused exclusively on issues surrounding brain health, IBRF serves as the platform that will provide top scientists and collaborative institutions with the funding necessary to advance their studies of various brain disorders. The IBRF's global reach will allow it to discover, distribute, and share the newest scientific findings in an efficient manner, which ultimately will accelerate the scientific and medical community's progress in solving many of the complex issues in the area of brain health that humanity faces today.

Research Initiatives in Progress / in Development

The Neuropsychiatry Advanced Care Program — Research scientists are working with subjects for the study and treatment of altered states of consciousness and severe cognitive impairments as a result of brain insult or injury. The goal is to achieve consciousness awareness, communication, and improved cognition.

The Institute for the Preservation and Enhancement of Cognition — This initiative involves the study and treatment of the elderly who have been identified by sophisticated brain testing as being at risk for the decline of certain brain functions, with the goal of creating new interventions to slow or prevent that decline.

The Center for the Aging Brain — The goal of this multi-institutional collaborative project is to understand brain aging and devise treatments to retard or halt the process, while at the same time preserving and enhancing brain functions.

The Autism Initiative — Conducted at multiple research centers, this collaborative project seeks to understand the genetic and environmental interactions that result in the anatomical and functional changes inherent in autism, and to devise new treatment modalities using sophisticated brain testing methods to guide treatment and create new, early interventions.

The Neurobiological Subtyping of Psychiatric States — This project involves neuroscientists at two leading research laboratories. Their work deals with psychiatric states that are finite and classifiable into subtypes by brain testing methods that will provide insights not only into the causes of these states but also predictions for treatment response and prognosis.

Nanotechnology in Neuroscience — This multi-institutional collaborative initiative uses nanocables and nanoprobes to investigate brain functions and treat abnormal brain functions.

The Experimental Neurosurgery Laboratories — This collaborative project studies normal brain function, investigates and treats abnormal brain states and functions, and also develops brain/computer interfaces that will enhance patient awareness, communication, and mobility.

Neuropsychiatric Surgery —Advanced surgical interventions will be available for selected patients whose neuropsychiatric conditions would benefit from such procedures.

Our Tactics

• Designing, conducting, supporting, and overseeing cutting-edge neuroscientific research studies worldwide;
• Taking the lead in the application and development of brain mapping, nanotechnology, and other groundbreaking expertise to further advance diagnostic and intervention capabilities within the neurosciences;
• Developing multi-center international collaborations and grant opportunities;
• Instituting multi-university training and educational programs on leading-edge neuroscience, including certification programs, lecture series, seminars, and conferences.

The typical research scientist today faces a myriad of obstacles in trying to obtain grants. The reality is that 40-68% of the money that is donated to research today is used for operational overhead. In addition, the scientist is often encumbered by time-consuming, non-productive administrative tasks required to secure and maintain such funding.

• IBRF's goal is to eliminate many of the burdens associated with grant-based funding by offering support through the foundation — thus allowing scientists to devote nearly 100% of their important efforts to their respective research endeavors.
• Our aim is to remain an organization without the overhead of a large research facility, with the majority of all monies going to neuroscience research and related programs.
• IBRF will remain nimble and able to capitalize on revolutionary research endeavors, and most importantly, on translational research: applying research to clinical care.