UNT Health Fort Worth advances military brain health research through $5 million state investment
Dr. Sid O'Bryant leads the Intitute of Translational Research, which conducts research in Alzheimer's disease, dementia and other neurological conditions.
As the nation honors veterans this Veterans Day, UNT Health Fort Worth is advancing a $5 million state-funded research initiative to better understand brain health challenges facing military service members and veterans.
Led by UNT Health's Institute for Translational Research, Operation Enduring Brain Health is a two-year longitudinal study examining conditions such as traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress and cognitive impairment. Since beginning enrollment in spring 2026, the study has enrolled more than 400 participants, with researchers working toward a goal of 1,000.
The initiative received $5 million in state funding, supporting research that could help identify opportunities for earlier intervention, improve preventive care and inform future clinical trials.
“Through Operation Enduring Brain Health, we will generate not only science to better understand the brain health of those who have sacrificed so much in service of our country but also provide the foundation to bring clinical trials to this community,” said Dr. Sid O’Bryant, executive director of the institute. “The goal of this study is to first understand the issues and then do something about it.”
Understanding brain health over time
Operation Enduring Brain Health uses cognitive and functional assessments, brain imaging and blood samples to investigate factors associated with brain health among active-duty military service members and veterans.
The study is designed to examine brain health over time, providing researchers with an opportunity to better understand neurological and cognitive challenges affecting military populations.
By combining these assessments, researchers hope to gain a more comprehensive understanding of brain health and identify findings that could eventually inform prevention strategies, clinical care and future treatment options.
The initiative marks UNT Health’s first brain health research study specifically focused on military service members and veterans, expanding the university’s efforts to understand conditions that can affect health and quality of life during and after military service.
Dr. Raul Vintimilla, ITR's Institutional Review Board regulatory director and the study's principal investigator, said the research reflects a commitment to improving care for the military community.
“Research like this is essential to ensuring that service members and veterans receive the best possible care, both during and after their service,” Vintimilla said.
Building a foundation for future research
The $5 million state investment supports the study's initial two-year period, with
researchers hoping to build on the findings through continued research and future
clinical trials.
Beyond advancing scientific understanding, the initiative aims to strengthen collaboration among researchers, clinicians and organizations serving military personnel and veterans. These partnerships could help translate research findings into practical approaches to prevention, treatment and long-term care.
For clinical research coordinator Keitza Vergas, the mission also carries personal significance.
“Our work is driven by deep respect for veterans and their families, and for many of us, that motivation is personal,” Vergas said. “Having a veteran as a parent strengthens my commitment to serving veterans with compassion and purpose.”
Operation Enduring Brain Health builds on ITR's extensive research in Alzheimer's disease, dementia and other neurological conditions. Led by O'Bryant, the institute focuses on advancing brain health through precision medicine, with an emphasis on understanding health disparities and developing more personalized approaches to care.
Through this initiative, UNT Health aims to extend that expertise to military populations and generate research that could ultimately improve brain health outcomes for those who have served.
For more information about Operation Enduring Brain Health, visit oebh.org or call 817-735-7805.