The University of Texas Medical Branch is making waves this week at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, by highlighting the critical importance of brain health on a global scale.
At the center of these efforts is
The Brain House, a platform created to raise awareness about brain health and how innovations in “brain capital” can tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. Hosted by the
Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative, The Brain House features events with top experts in health and innovation focused on advancing brain health.
Dr. Jochen Reiser, UTMB President and CEO of the UTMB Health System, was part of a keynote panel on Tuesday, addressing the urgent need for investment and innovation in brain health. He shared insights into groundbreaking research on neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, and explored how these advancements could transform health care worldwide.
"Brain health is the foundation of human potential, driving creativity, resilience, and innovation in every aspect of our lives," Reiser said. "UTMB’s participation in The Brain House at the World Economic Forum highlights our commitment to advancing groundbreaking research and fostering global collaborations that will not only address the rising challenges of neurodegenerative diseases but also help build a healthier, more resilient future for communities worldwide."
Reiser said Texas is ideally positioned to lead the way on brain health research and implementation because of the introduction of government programs, including the proposed $3 billion Dementia Prevention Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT) initiative announced last month.
President Donald Trump’s announcement on Tuesday of up to $500 billion to be invested in infrastructure tied to artificial intelligence by a new partnership formed by OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank in Texas highlights a growing need for strong brain health, he said.
“Brain capital combines mental health with skills like creativity, problem-solving, adaptability, and empathy,” Reiser said. “It’s becoming an essential resource for nations to stay competitive in the modern world.”
The increasing integration of Artificial Intelligence across industries highlights a growing need for strong brain health and mental resilience, as optimal human intelligence is essential to fully harness and effectively manage the potential of AI.
However, the rise in brain-related disorders like dementia and mental health conditions poses a massive financial strain—costing the global economy $5 trillion annually, a figure projected to reach $16 trillion by 2030. For dementia alone, the cost is expected to rise from $1.3 trillion today to $2.8 trillion by the end of the decade.
The Brain House aims to bridge the gap between science, medicine, and global markets, ensuring that investments in brain health drive a healthier, more productive, and resilient future for people everywhere.
The Brain House events follow significant announcements and partnership agreements related to brain health initiatives at UTMB in recent month. In October, UTMB received a transformative $25 million gift from the Moody Foundation and Moody Medical Research Institute to advance brain health research and innovation. In recognition of the gift, the Moody Brain Health Institute at UTMB was established.
Last month, UTMB announced a partnership with the Wyss Institute in Geneva, Switzerland, further strengthening its commitment to combating neurodegenerative diseases. UTMB is also expanding collaborations with Rice University to help lead a changing “Brain Economy” while promoting healthy aging initiatives in our local communities and across Texas.
In addition, UTMB is home to the Sealy Institute for Drug Discovery, where new drugs will be developed as the university harnesses new insights from its cutting-edge brain research.
Dr. Giulio Taglialatela, UTMB’s vice president for Brain Health and the director of the Moody Brain Health Institute at UTMB, is also attending the Davos meeting. He is working to expand UTMB’s role in global health and bring the latest treatments for brain disorders back to our local communities.
Joining UTMB as sponsors of The Brain House are Rice University in Houston, AC Immune, Crisis Text Line, Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative, The Kennedy Forum, Milken Institute, Ontario Brain Institute, Roche, Tower Health and West Health.