Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology
The Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology section is an academic leader that embodies the core missions of the Department of Neurology, which include excellence in patient care, promoting education, and advancing our understanding of cognitive and behavioral disorders through research.
Our faculty are recognized nationally and internationally for their academic contributions to understanding Alzheimer’s disease and the impact of cardiometabolic factors on cognition. They have a long history of translating scientific discoveries in neurodegeneration to clinical care.
Faculty
The Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology faculty comprises twelve individuals, who form a cohesive unit dedicated to advancing research, education, and clinical care. Eight faculty members lead labs that range from basic science to clinical research with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Our unique multidisciplinary team has expertise in dementia care and geriatrics, providing trainees with comprehensive clinical training. In collaboration with the Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases (CAND), our section leads cutting-edge research into the structural biology of disease-causing proteins, cell and molecular biology aspects of disease mechanism, and the role of gene therapy.
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Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology Highlights
1500+
New patients each year
7000+
Patients annually
12
Faculty
8
Faculty with Extramural Funding
8
Research labs
1
Fellowship track
Subspecialty Services
Our team provides care for patients with a full range of cognitive and memory disorders, including subspecialty care for rare cognitive disorders such as prion disease, leukodystrophies, and Cortico-Basilar Degeneration, and caregiver education.
Research
Physicians and scientists in the Cognitive and Behavioral Section center their discoveries on a range of clinical and basic science topics relevant to the field of memory disorders. As leaders in neurodegenerative disease research, we conduct clinical research studies that focus on the causes of dementia across the spectrum of disease. Our partnership with the CAND has led to significant advancements in dementia prevention in individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, we partner with colleagues in the UT Dallas Neuroscience Department to advance the understanding of memory function, including interventional studies targeting the role of memory deficits in PTSD. Basic science research focuses on identifying molecular mechanisms of neuropathology to develop novel therapies.
Education & Training
Our Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry fellowship training program is designed to provide intensive clinical exposure in a broad range of settings, with trainees working alongside faculty with extensive expertise. While maintaining its rigor, we adapt the curriculum to meet each fellow’s career and training goals. Our faculty are thought leaders in Behavioral Neurology, providing the trainees with profound and nuanced perspectives. For trainees, regular consensus discussion of challenging cases, active participation in clinical research meetings, and journal club provide a forum for the recognition of subtle clinical nuance, the exchange of clinical and scholarly ideas, and exposure to faculty whose training background is itself diverse. The program is designed to give our trainees time to reflect, engage in scholarly projects, and network with future colleagues. We have also established monthly AD/ADRD seminars, open to the UT Southwestern community, to provide updates on the research and clinical work conducted in local labs and programs.