Lieber Institute for Brain Development

06/23/2026

Dr. Greg Carr, a Lead Investigator in our Drug Discovery and Development Group, recently presented at the Symposium on Schizophrenia hosted by the Lauren Marie LeVert Foundation to Cure Schizophrenia. He had the opportunity to share the mission of our work and how we are using cutting edge technology to change how schizophrenia is understood and treated. He stood along other speakers such as Patrick J. Kennedy, Dr. Molly Erickson from The University of Chicago, and Dr. Brad Cutler with Endeavor Health. The symposium represents a powerful shift that is being led by the scientific and mental health communities. Rather than allowing people with schizophrenia to suffer in shame, we are using research to change how we understand and approach this complicated illness.

Dr. Carr's presentation gave a small glimpse into some of the work we have been doing. You can see his speech, along with the other presentations, here: https://www.lmlf2cs.org/symposium

06/22/2026

Here's what those abbreviations and science lingo actually mean! 🧠 🧬

🧪 VGSCs = Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels
These are tiny proteins in brain cells that act like electrical switches. They help neurons send signals to each other. When these channels don't work properly, they can contribute to conditions like epilepsy, autism, and schizophrenia.

🧪 hiPSC-Derived Neurons
This stands for human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. In plain English: Scientists can take a person's skin or blood cells and reprogram them into stem cells. Then they can turn those stem cells into brain cells in the lab. This allows researchers to study living human neurons without having to access a person's brain.

🧪 Automated Patch Clamp
Patch clamping is a technique used to measure the electrical activity of brain cells. Traditionally, it was done one cell at a time and could take months. Automated patch clamp systems can analyze dozens or even hundreds of cells at once, dramatically speeding up research.

‼️ Why this matters?
By studying these electrical systems in human neurons grown in the lab, scientists can:
🧠 Understand what goes wrong in brain disorders.
💊 Test potential treatments faster.
⚡ Discover why some medications work and others don't.
🔬 Move closer to more precise, personalized therapies.

And that is something we can all get behind!

Thanks to Nanion Technologies for hosting the recent Neuroscience Symposium and allowing Dr. Maher to present on our exciting progress!

06/16/2026

Understanding brain disorders means making sense of billions of brain cells and trillions of connections. That requires powerful tools, innovative thinking, and partners who share a commitment to improving lives.

Through our partnership with Amazon Web Services and the AWS Imagine Grant, researchers have access to the computational resources needed to organize massive datasets, uncover hidden patterns, and accelerate discovery. Together, we're using artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and cutting edge technology to identify promising new therapeutic targets for psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. These discoveries are already helping researchers identify promising new molecules for future treatments.

The most exciting part isn't the technology. It's the possibility. The possibility that today's questions become tomorrow's answers. That families who have spent generations searching for explanations finally get them. And that one day, brain disorders are met with solutions instead of uncertainty.

Go to our page or our website to learn more about how we are using exciting technology to create real hope.

06/11/2026

We recently hosted a reception in Washington, D.C., bringing together leaders from science, research, philanthropy, and the nonprofit community. We believe the greatest advances happen when brilliant minds come together. By building connections, sharing ideas, and fostering collaboration both inside and outside our organization, we can accelerate discovery and move closer to solutions for the individuals and families affected by brain disorders.

The future of science isn't built alone. It's built together. 🧠

06/07/2026

Three hundred terabytes is about the same as streaming Netflix of 85 years. Nonstop.

That is how much data our scientists process in a month. 🤯 They are transforming genomic data into information that is helping us understand complex brain disorders, like schizophrenia, depression, and PTSD. If they can do that in one month, imagine what they will accomplish this year?!

06/05/2026

Dr. Thomas Hyde, our Chief Medical Officer, recently participated in a panel discussion hosted by No Patient Left Behind that explored the gap between mental health discoveries and actual access to care. The presentation explored barriers and possible solutions, with specific action items we can all take to better ensure our own ability to receive care.

You can see the full conversation at the link below. We would love to know your thoughts on this issue in the comments below!

This session breaks down the real‑world barriers patients are facing in mental health treatment: limited therapy coverage, provider shortages, fragmented care, and benefit rules that delay or block treatment.

06/01/2026

Tag or share with someone that could use the reminder. ❤️

05/31/2026

It's not that crazy to believe when you have a team of scientists like we do at Lieber. 🧠

The future of mental health treatment is being built through collaboration, innovation, and cutting edge brain research. Our scientists are using advanced technology, artificial intelligence, genetics, and global scientific partnerships to better understand disorders like schizophrenia, depression, PTSD, addiction, and bipolar disorder. By studying how the brain develops and functions, Lieber researchers are uncovering the root causes of mental illness and working toward more effective treatments and prevention. Every discovery brings us closer to real answers for individuals and families affected by brain disorders.

Learn more about the work we do by going to our website. Our YouTube channel also highlights some of our team members and the heart behind what they do.

05/26/2026

We recently watched a segment on WJZ-TV | CBS Baltimore featuring Kerry Graves, Executive Director of NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore, discussing common myths and facts about mental illness. One question really stood out to us:
Are people with serious mental illness more likely to commit violent crimes?
What do you think? Fact or myth?

(Spoiler: both anchors guessed wrong.)

❌ MYTH.

In reality, people living with serious mental illness are actually more likely to be victims of violent crime. While headlines and media portrayals often paint a different picture, the truth is that mental illness can leave people more vulnerable and susceptible to dangerous situations.

Conversations like this matter. The more we challenge misconceptions and share accurate information about mental health, the easier it becomes for people to seek help and for communities to support them with compassion instead of fear.

💬 What is one misconception about mental illness that you wish more people understood?

05/25/2026

Our research suggests that many of the genetic and biological changes linked to schizophrenia may happen during early brain development, long before symptoms appear in the teen or adult years.

Lieber scientists are discovering that small disruptions in how the brain develops and forms connections may quietly shape a person’s risk over time. Understanding those early changes could help researchers identify schizophrenia sooner, develop better treatments, and eventually create ways to prevent the disorder altogether.

Imagine how much more supported people and families could feel if help began early in life, instead of only after a serious crisis.