Accelerate discovery

Stark Neurosciences Research Institute

Bringing together the scientific community in a dynamic, collaborative organization that advances discovery of neuroscience-related disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies and disseminates and applies this knowledge to prevent, treat and cure disease.

a picture of the Stark Neurosciences building

Mission and Vision

Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, under the leadership of Executive Director Bruce T. Lamb, PhD, is dedicated to improving outcomes for persons suffering from disorders of the nervous system. For more than 20 years, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute has provided a collaborative space on the Indiana University School of Medicine campus in downtown Indianapolis where scientists and clinician-scientists from different disciplines across Indiana University can work together on translational science to investigate devastating disorders, ultimately seeking novel therapeutics to treat patients alongside partnering physicians. Researchers at the prestigious institute have made groundbreaking discoveries in Alzheimer's disease, psychiatric disorders, traumatic brain injury and much else.

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Transformational neuroscience research

Stark Neurosciences Research Institute is at the cutting edge for the role the IU School of Medicine plays locally and globally to shape new treatments for devastating disorders of the nervous system, including Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, as well as addiction, glaucoma, spinal cord and brain injuries, chronic pain and psychiatric disorders.

a researcher works in a lab

Exponential growth in research funding

Stark Neuroscience Research Institute investigators at IU School of Medicine received $98.5 million in National Institute of Health grant funding in 2023, a 35% increase since 2019. Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders related grants comprise a large majority of the funding.

Research at Stark Neurosciences Research Institute is not only reflected across departments at IU School of Medicine and at other IU campuses statewide but at several universities and institutions, such as Purdue University, the Jackson Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh and Sage Bionetworks.

Research Interests

FEATURED NEWS

a physician shows a folder with documents to a patient

Brain health program fuels clinical and research advancements of new Alzheimer’s disease treatments in Indiana

Over the past year-and-a-half, more than 100 people have received new disease-modifying drugs for Alzheimer’s disease at the Indiana University Health Neuroscience Center in downtown Indianapolis, and that number grows weekly. Not only are the patients among the first people in the country to receive the treatment, but they’re contributing to the work of researchers from the IU School of Medicine who are actively studying the long-term effects of the drugs.

April 24, 2025

Medical Education and Research Building atrium with white staircases and people in the sunlight lobby

IU School of Medicine dedicates Medical Education and Research Building in new Indy Health District

On April 22, 2025, IU held a dedication ceremony for the School of Medicine’s new Medical Education and Research Building that will open this summer right next to IU Health's new hospital in the Indy Health District.

April 22, 2025

Malu Tansey, in white coat, poses in her research laboratory at IU School of Medicine.

Parkinson's researchers discover 'tip of the ICE-berg' on quest for a cure

Parkinson's researcher Malú Tansey brings cell-level science to IU’s already strong clinical research program. Her lab engages in "paradigm-shifting work" studying inflammation and immune response in Parkinson's.

March 31, 2025

Upcoming Events

May 01 12:00pm

SNRI Seminar Series: Caghan Kizil, PhD, MSc

SNRI Seminar Series: Spring 2025

Neuroscience Research Building

May 02 12:00pm - 1:00pm

AIR Seminar Series Session 6: Reference Region Approaches

Goodman Hall, 362 W. 15th St. Indianapolis, IN 46202

May 06 12:00pm

Membership Seminar: Speakers TBD

SNRI Membership Seminar

Neuroscience Research Building

American Brain Coalition

American Brain Coalition LogoStark Neurosciences Research Institute is proud to be a member of the American Brain Coalition, a nonprofit umbrella organization of nearly 200 leading professional neurological, psychological and psychiatric associations and patient organizations, along with clinicians, researchers, academia, industry and government agencies in the United States. The coalition's goal is to increase awareness and understanding and to advocate for increased research and resources — to improve a person's quality of life and enhance a national commitment toward cures for patients with brain disorders. Stark is one of 10 academic institutions in the country dedicated to advancing brain research as members of the American Brain Coalition.