The Brain Sciences CenterBrain Sciences Center (BSC), located at the Minneapolis VA Medical CenterVA Medical Center (VAMC), is an interdisciplinary research institute that aims to understand the mechanisms underlying healthy brain function and brain disease.

BSCBrain Sciences Center (BSC) investigators collaborate on a variety of research topics including healthy brain aging, immunogenetics, posttraumatic stress disorder, Gulf War IllnessGulf War Illness (GWI)Shortly after the Gulf War (1990-91), veterans started to report a variety of health problems that began during, or soon after returning from, deployment, prompting investigation into the epidemiology and etiology of the complaints. Those investigations revealed that diffuse symptoms such as fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, mood and neurocognitive complaints, gastrointestinal problems, and rashes were most commonly reported. The constellation of symptoms, now commonly referred to as Gulf War Illness (GWI), has affected a substantial number of Gulf War veterans. Several population-based studies have demonstrated that these symptoms occur at significantly higher rates in deployed Gulf War veterans relative to their nondeployed peers and other veterans, raising the issue about possible in-theater exposures and stress as contributing factors. However, these symptoms are also present in non-deployed military personnel, leading some to suspect other causes, including reactions to vaccine adjuvants. In summary, GWI is now a recognized constellation of symptoms of unclear etiology, also co-occurring with psychiatric disorders. , dementia, and mechanisms of cognitive function. Current BSCBrain Sciences Center (BSC) investigators represent a cross section of academic disciplines including neuroscience, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, biophysics, physics, neurology, and neurophysiology.

The BSCBrain Sciences Center (BSC) utilizes advanced neuroimaging methods, including magnetoencephalography to assess brain function and neural network activity, as well as magnetic resonance imaging to study brain structure and function. Additionally, the BSCBrain Sciences Center (BSC) employs various laboratory techniques such as genotyping, in-vitro cell experiments, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

Lecture Series presented by the BSCBrain Sciences Center (BSC)

The American Legion Brain Sciences endowed annual lecture was established in 1995 and has been delivered by prominent neuroscientists, including the Nobel Prize winners Gerald Edelman and Eric Kandel.

The Dr. Angeliki 'Lily' Georgopoulos endowed annual lecture was established in 2021 in honor and memory of Dr. Angeliki Georgopoulos who conceived and helped establish the Healthy Brain Aging Project in Women Veterans at the BSCBrain Sciences Center (BSC) in 2010.

Endowed Chairs and Scholarships

Kunin Chair in Women's Healthy Brain Aging (Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota) held by Lisa James, PhD

The Kunin Chair was established in 2017 to support research on brain aging in women Veterans. The endowment was specifically created to help elucidate brain mechanisms underlying resilience across the lifespan.

William L. Anderson Chair in Post-traumatic Stress DisorderPost-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)A complex psychiatric syndrome that develops in response to trauma exposure. Individuals with PTSD experience intrusive recollections or reexperiencing of the traumatic event, avoidance of trauma reminders, emotional numbing, and hyperarousal. In addition, PTSD is associated with high rates of concomitant physical and mental health problems, increased health care use, and impairment in social and occupational functioning. Almost 7% of the general population and up to 30% of veterans meet lifetime criteria for PTSD. Indeed, PTSD is one of the most common psychiatric disorders, representing a significant and costly public health concern. Research (Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota) held by Brian Engdahl, PhD

In 2013, an endowment was created in honor of William Lewis Anderson, a combat medic who died saving a wounded soldier on the battlefield during World War II. The endowment supports research to better understand, diagnose, treat, and prevent PTSDPost-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)A complex psychiatric syndrome that develops in response to trauma exposure. Individuals with PTSD experience intrusive recollections or reexperiencing of the traumatic event, avoidance of trauma reminders, emotional numbing, and hyperarousal. In addition, PTSD is associated with high rates of concomitant physical and mental health problems, increased health care use, and impairment in social and occupational functioning. Almost 7% of the general population and up to 30% of veterans meet lifetime criteria for PTSD. Indeed, PTSD is one of the most common psychiatric disorders, representing a significant and costly public health concern..

American Legion Brain Sciences Endowed Chair at the University of Minnesota held by Apostolos P. Georgopoulos, MD PhD

In the late 1980s, the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Sons of the American Legion led a fundraising campaign that raised over $1 million for research in neuroscience. The donation was matched by the University of Minnesota and the American Legion Brain Sciences Endowed Chair was created in 1987. The endowment helped establish the BSCBrain Sciences Center (BSC) at the Minneapolis VAMCVA Medical Center (VAMC) in 1991 and supports research in PTSDPost-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)A complex psychiatric syndrome that develops in response to trauma exposure. Individuals with PTSD experience intrusive recollections or reexperiencing of the traumatic event, avoidance of trauma reminders, emotional numbing, and hyperarousal. In addition, PTSD is associated with high rates of concomitant physical and mental health problems, increased health care use, and impairment in social and occupational functioning. Almost 7% of the general population and up to 30% of veterans meet lifetime criteria for PTSD. Indeed, PTSD is one of the most common psychiatric disorders, representing a significant and costly public health concern., GWIGulf War Illness (GWI)Shortly after the Gulf War (1990-91), veterans started to report a variety of health problems that began during, or soon after returning from, deployment, prompting investigation into the epidemiology and etiology of the complaints. Those investigations revealed that diffuse symptoms such as fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, mood and neurocognitive complaints, gastrointestinal problems, and rashes were most commonly reported. The constellation of symptoms, now commonly referred to as Gulf War Illness (GWI), has affected a substantial number of Gulf War veterans. Several population-based studies have demonstrated that these symptoms occur at significantly higher rates in deployed Gulf War veterans relative to their nondeployed peers and other veterans, raising the issue about possible in-theater exposures and stress as contributing factors. However, these symptoms are also present in non-deployed military personnel, leading some to suspect other causes, including reactions to vaccine adjuvants. In summary, GWI is now a recognized constellation of symptoms of unclear etiology, also co-occurring with psychiatric disorders. , women's healthy brain aging, traumatic brain injury, and brain function in movement and cognitive disorders.

American Legion Brain Sciences Scholarship

In 1997, The American Legion Brain Sciences Scholarship was created to recognize the academic achievements of students involved in brain research at the University of Minnesota and BSCBrain Sciences Center (BSC). The scholarship is awarded to two outstanding students annually at the American Legion Family BSCBrain Sciences Center (BSC) Lecture.