The ultimate goal of biomedical research is to improve patient outcomes; we strive to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from diseases or disorders. For the brain and nervous system, the main hurdle is that such diseases are difficult to study with traditional scientific methods.
NeuroTexas Institute researchers are analyzing large quantities of patient data to further understand how medical care influences outcomes following treatment. The goal of this effort is to discover clues that will reduce the impact of medical treatments on the everyday lives of patients and accelerate their return to good health.
Our scientists are using the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) to understand how substance abuse impacts hospital course and patient outcomes following treatment for a traumatic injury. The goal is to identify potential complications that substance abusers are at risk for developing during or after treatment. This research may lead to safer, more effective, and less costly care of trauma patients.
Our researches are using mathematical models to understand the costs and benefits of spine surgery versus prolonged non-surgical care. The aim of these efforts is to better understand when it’s advantageous to remain on conservative care, and when surgical care will offer the most benefit to patients. This study may greatly reduce the impact on the everyday lives of patients undergoing treatment for common problems such as herniated intervertebral discs or sciatica.
Our scientists are working with researchers at the renowned Barrow Neurological Institute to understand how, when and why dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) arises following cervical spine surgery. This project seeks to identify the primary determinants that increase the frequency of dysphagia, with the hope that new understanding will pave the way for reducing the already low incidence of swallowing problems.
We are developing an innovative database system to capture detailed clinical information about the care we provide our patients. This database will allow us to collect data that is custom tailored to address specific research questions. This is the best approach for studying many diseases of the brain and spine, which are not amenable to classical research approaches. This database will allow scientists to unearth new information about how medical treatments impact patients’ health and recovery.