Texas poised for landmark investment in brain health research with Proposition 14

Texas may be on the verge of one of its largest-ever investments in brain health research.

On Tuesday’s ballot, Proposition 14 would establish a multi-billion-dollar fund to combat dementia and other neurological disorders, just as Rice University launches a major new initiative to unlock the mysteries of the human brain.

Inside Rice University’s new Brain Institute, scientists are mapping the complex networks that power thought and memory, studying how billions of neurons communicate, and what happens when those vital connections break down.

The institute brings together more than 60 researchers across engineering, neuroscience, ethics, and public policy, all focused on understanding the brain and finding ways to restore its function when disease strikes.

If approved by voters, Proposition 14 would create a $3 billion statewide Texas Dementia Research Institute, designed to accelerate discoveries in brain science and advance treatments for conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Opponents warn that the proposal lacks sufficient oversight and could increase state debt without guaranteeing results.

But supporters say the long-term benefits far outweigh the risks, positioning Texas as a global leader in neuroscience and fueling economic growth through medical innovation.

“It could basically bring researchers to Texas and make Texas the number one research entity when it comes to dementia and neurological disorders,” said Behnam Aazhang, Director of the Rice Brain Institute. “We can go a long way in understanding what’s going on with dementia and find ways to prevent its onset.”

Researchers at Rice say the potential payoff is enormous, not just for patients and families, but for the state’s economy. They hope that if Proposition 14 passes, the investment will help keep top brainpower and breakthrough innovation, right here in Texas.