Brain Repair of Any Injured Neural Structure (BRAINS) Exploratory Topic 

Many diseases and injuries can damage specific parts of the brain, leaving tens of millions of Americans with permanent disabilities and no real way to get back lost abilities or independence. Today, there are no treatments that can replace damaged brain tissue and restore normal function. Instead, people rely on physical, psychological, and occupational therapies to manage their condition. As a result, many remain disabled and need lifelong care. 

The Brain Repair of Any Injured Neural Structure (BRAINS) Exploratory Topic (ET) is the first effort to generate graftable precursor tissues for multiple parts of the brain – extending beyond the FRONT program's focus on the neocortex. BRAINS goal is to show it is possible to reverse damage and disease in any part of the brain.  

BRAINS ET will target brain regions including, but not limited to, the hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, hypothalamus, striatum, cingulate cortex, substantia nigra, brainstem, and cerebellum. Together, these areas control movement, balance, mood, autonomic body functions, memory formation, and other critical functions. The BRAINS ET approach will address a wide range of disabilities caused by many forms of brain damage, including aging, congenital diseases, strokes, injuries, tumors, and infections. 

Using natural brain development as a guide, BRAINS is focused on two technical areas, both essential for later steps in repairing damaged brain tissue with working tissue: 

• Technical area 1: teams will design developmental mimicking or tissue engineering methods capable of generating precursor tissue for a part of the brain other than neocortex.  
• Technical area 2: teams will provide proof-of-concept for surgical engraftment into adult brains of non-human fetal precursor tissues for their selected brain area 

BRAINS ET will have two intake groups. Each group’s work will last 18 months from kickoff to completion and will include two 9-month phases.  

BRAINS stands to transform the lives of millions of Americans affected by brain injury, disease, and aging by ultimately enabling the restoration of lost abilities and independence - something no current therapy can offer.