The University of Texas at Austin Institute for Neuroscience has formed the BrainWaves Initiative, an innovative program to provide neuroscience information to the public through radio spots and Web-based outreach. In recent years, research into the workings of the human brain has accelerated dramatically. Using sophisticated new imaging and assessment tools, neuroscientists have pushed back the frontiers of knowledge in an effort to understand brain health and find ways to combat brain disorders ranging from addiction to depression to schizophrenia. The BrainWaves Initiative creates a bridge from the research laboratory to the general public, providing applied neuroscience education in an easily accessible format.

Brain StoriesT
In March 2004, BrainWaves launched an initial series of radio spots (modeled on the successful StarDate series of McDonald Observatory), which were supported by additional information on the BrainWaves Web site. A second series of spots made their debut in March 2005.

Listen to the Brain StoriesT radio spots.

Courses
The BrainWaves Initiative is also developing a set of continuing education courses for health care professionals on addiction, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, insomnia, and pain. As they're rolled out, each course will also be available to the general public at no charge.