A new facility dedicated to the study and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases is set to open in San Antonio, Texas, by the end of 2025. The $100 million Center for Brain Health aims to transform how conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are diagnosed, treated, and researched in South Texas and beyond.
The Center for Brain Health is spearheaded by 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. Seshadri emphasizes that the facility will bring together essential resources for both research and patient 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,” she stated.
This innovative hub will feature advanced medical technology, including the most powerful medical imaging device in South Texas, a 7-tesla MRI. This high magnetic strength allows for exceptional image resolution, enabling healthcare professionals to visualize critical areas such as the brain stem, where diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s often originate. Seshadri explained, “You can see areas like the brain stem…the locus coeruleus, which is where Alzheimer’s begins.”
The Center will also provide twelve infusion suites for patients requiring intravenous administration of the latest Alzheimer’s medications. In addition to medical treatment, patients will have access to a range of therapies, including physical, art, and music therapy. This integrated approach aims to enhance the overall well-being of patients, who can receive comprehensive care under one roof.
For those traveling significant distances for treatment, such as from Austin or Corpus Christi, the Center offers the convenience of coordinating additional services with specialists in the adjoining Medical Arts & Research Center or the nearby UT Health San Antonio dental building. “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,” Seshadri noted.
Caregivers will also benefit from the Center’s offerings, with access to education and support resources. Seshadri expressed her enthusiasm about the facility’s upcoming opening, 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.”
She further emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing research and treatment, saying, “We know that we cannot do it alone in San Antonio; we need to work with all the wonderful people all across the world.” She added that the community’s spirit is unlike anything she has witnessed in her career spanning over sixty years.
The Center for Brain Health is set to officially open its doors in December 2025, marking a significant step forward in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases. This initiative not only aims to enhance patient care in Texas but also positions San Antonio as a pivotal location for groundbreaking research and treatment in the field of brain health.
