Revolutionizing Alzheimer’s research: UT Health San Antonio Center for Brain Health opens new facility

"We really need to educate our communities on the importance of participating in clinical trials, and this is kind of our partnership work that we'll be doing with the Biggs Institute and the Center for Brain Health in San Antonio, is to help promote that awareness and opportunities to participate in future clinical trials," Ramirez said.

Seshadri said that the Biggs Institute is the top recruiter for Hispanic clinical trial patients.

"We are the largest Hispanic-recruiting [Aging and Disability Resource Center] among all 37 [centers], which is not surprising because we are in South Texas," Seshadri said.

Research at the center includes studying how Alzheimer's genes behave differently in Hispanic patients and the unique risk factors at work.

The outlook

District 10 council member Marc Whyte said that one of the most noticeable aspects of the new center is its thoughtful design, which incorporates a variety of facilities, including a library, music room, therapy rooms, spaces for educational and group meetings and an infusion suite.

"[The center] really gives our folks an opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research that's being done right here in our city," Whyte said. "Alzheimer's affects people around the world, and certainly right here in San Antonio, and to have a facility that's on the cutting edge right here in San Antonio is a win for our citizens."

Dianne Teran, program manager at the Alzheimer's Association San Antonio and South Texas Chapter, said the center may allow organizations to host educational and outreach programs.

"Hopefully, the Alzheimer's Association [and] other organizations could have a space to also come in and bring in education as well," Teran said. "It's all about how we work together to fill that need, so it's really holding hands [to provide comprehensive care]."

Looking ahead

Jackson said State Proposition 14, recently approved in the Nov. 4 election, created a $3 billion dedicated fund for dementia prevention and research, which will have a transformative impact on researcher recruitment and medical discovery at the Center for Brain Health.

"I can't understate the incredible gift that was for researchers," Jackson said. "I really think this will be an opportunity for us to recruit really smart, bright scientists from across the country who can't get funding nationally."