The Southwest Brain Bank: Advancing Biomedical Research on Mental Health Disparities

The Southwest Brain Bank (SWBB), a division of the Department of Psychiatry at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso, is committed to advancing biomedical research on mental health in diverse populations through three main functions.

Firstly, the SWBB conducts research on the biology of major mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder, major depression, alcohol use disorders, and suicide. By focusing on these illnesses, the SWBB aims to improve our understanding of their biological underpinnings and develop more effective treatments for mental health patients.

Secondly, the SWBB collects post-mortem brains and clinically characterizes the individual whose brain was donated, with a specific focus on Hispanic donors. Since the brain bank is located on the US-Mexico Border region. The SWBB recognizes the importance of studying brains from diverse populations to ensure that findings are applicable to all patients, including Hispanics. By collecting brains from donors, the SWBB aims to better understand the unique biological factors that contribute to mental illness in this population.

Thirdly, the SWBB serves as a training site for trainees interested in neuroscience and brain biology of psychiatric disorders among diverse populations, including medical students, nursing students, undergraduate, and graduate students. By providing training opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.

Overall, the SWBB is dedicated to advancing the understanding of mental illness and reducing health disparities through research, brain collection, collaboration and training.