Brain Health

This section highlights a few of the ongoing projects conducted by our faculty that will show you why we’re a national leader in brain health research. You’ll have a chance to learn about new insights into reducing the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, how our brains can “turn up our temperature” to help us lose weight, important differences in the brain waves of Tibetan monks, and some others.

The Brain Health Research Institute (BHRI) at Kent State University has been created to encourage this type of innovative research into understanding the brain. Established in 2017, the BHRI is already supported by more than 80 investigators across 8 colleges and 20 departments at KSU, as well as affiliated faculty from Akron Children’s Hospital, Northeast Ohio Medical University, and the Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute.

BHRI researchers have wide-ranging expertise in studying the brain and applying their efforts through a diverse set of disciplines, including cell and molecular biology, psychology, humanities, computer programming, language studies, public health, and exercise physiology, to name a few. This broad-based approach is unique to Kent State and permits us to examine traditional issues related to brain health, like protecting against memory loss and developing strategies to help heal the brain, as well as exploring novel topics like empathy or global citizenship.

In addition to these research goals, the BHRI is committed to training the next generation of scientists. By teaching courses, providing hands-on training in our research labs, and working closely with the surrounding community, we aim to help learners of all ages better understand the brain. If you are interested in learning more, find us at www.kent.edu/brain-health.

Dr. Ernest Freeman &
Dr. John Gunstad, Directors