Texas Children's Hospital® - VISION 2010

Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute^™ - Overview

More than 1 billion people worldwide — 300 million of them children — suffer from mental or brain disorders. The cost of brain-related diseases and injuries is estimated to exceed more than half a trillion dollars annually. Texas Children's Hospital is committed to this cause with the creation of the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (NRI). Under the visionary leadership of Drs. Huda Zoghbi and John Swann, the NRI is being built on a foundation of unmatched advantages: the experience and resources of the world-renowned Texas Children's Hospital; a pediatric neurology department that serves many children with neurologically handicapping diseases; and a core group of Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine scientists and clinicians already distinguished for their contributions in pediatric neurology, genetics, and cell and gene therapy.

First-of-its-kind institute

The NRI will be the first dedicated facility to utilize a bold new model of collaborative research to understand the unique issues of a child's brain structure, developmental patterns, and related diseases. It will house one of the largest concentrations of pediatric neurology researchers in the world, representing an array of highly specialized disciplines such as behavioral psychology, neuroimaging, chemistry, and bioinformatics. The state-of-the-art NRI building will encompass a superb research infrastructure under one roof, and has been designed in both layout and aesthetics to foster the open dialog and active exchange of ideas needed to accelerate the translation of discoveries into new, effective treatments.

Remarkable generosity

Texas Children's Hospital Board Member Tony Petrello proposed the concept of a neurological research institute to President and CEO Mark A. Wallace; he and wife Cynthia immediately committed an initial $5 million to the cause, to be followed by an additional $2 million. After the Vision 2010 initiative was announced, Houston philanthropists Jan and Dan Duncan gave a transformational $50 million donation. Now other individuals and corporations have joined the cause, bringing the NRI's vision of effective treatments for pediatric neurological disorders closer to realization.

IN DEPTH

• Facing the Challenge

  The Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute will provide world-class scientists with the necessary resources for making breakthrough discoveries in one of the last frontiers of medicine: disorders of the brain.

• Collaboratory

  The NRI will approach the study of neurological diseases by amassing a multidisciplinary team under one roof, to foster collaboration for accelerated research and development of treatments and cures.

• NRI Building

  The NRI building is a state-of-the-art structure designed to foster collaborative, multidisciplinary research through open laboratories and collaborative gathering spaces.