Neuroscience Institute History

The brain is the final frontier of biology. Scientific inquiry has produced remarkably detailed knowledge of the physical world and much of the life sciences, including details of the human genome. However, our knowledge of the brain is far from complete. The nature and mechanisms of consciousness, thought, perception, learning, memory and many diseases of the nervous system are poorly understood. Neuroscience is now at an exciting threshold of discovery and unprecedented growth. The resulting explosion of information is rapidly increasing our understanding of the basic mechanisms of brain structure and function. This emerging knowledge is helping us discover effective treatments and even cures for some neurological diseases.

Much of the recent progress in neuroscience can be attributed to the multidisciplinary effort now being used to understand brain function and its disorders. This approach combines methods from several disciplines — from molecular biology and biochemistry to neurophysiology and behavior — in order to determine the mechanisms of neural function. Major breakthroughs of the future will undoubtedly come from this interdisciplinary approach and will lead to new and effective treatments for nervous system disorders and developmental abnormalities.

In 1985, leaders of The University of Tennessee created a multidisciplinary program in neuroscience. The program brings together about 80 neuroscience related faculty from thirteen basic science and clinical departments within the College of Medicine. The interdepartmental nature of the program provides the multidisciplinary environment necessary for quality neuroscience research and training.

In recognition of this quality, the State of Tennessee established the Neuroscience Center of Excellence. The Center has been selected by the governor and legislature to receive special funding from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. The Neuroscience Center of Excellence award supports graduate and postdoctoral student training, renovates laboratory facilities, purchases research equipment, and recruits additional neuroscience faculty.

The program has grown rapidly in numbers of faculty and students, research space and equipment, and external funding. The Neuroscience Institute is now one of the largest concentrated neuroscience programs in the country and has achieved an international reputation as a preeminent center for neuroscience in the United States.

The Neuroscience Institute is administered by the College of Medicine at UTHSC. The Institute is directed by Dr. William Armstrong, who is also interim chair of the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology. Faculty hold appointments in the Departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medicine, Molecular Sciences, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology, Pathology, Pediatrics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Physiology and Biophysics, Psychiatry, School of Biomedical Engineering, and the Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology on the campus of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. All have established, well funded research programs.