Houston's Bold Move: Will Project Metis Make It the Ultimate Brain Health Capital? Find Out Now!

In a significant move aimed at elevating brain health initiatives, leaders from Houston's health care and innovation sectors have come together with the Center for Houston’s Future to launch an ambitious initiative known as Project Metis. Named after the Greek goddess of wisdom, this multi-year program aspires to position the Greater Houston Area as the global leader in brain health.

Project Metis will be spearheaded by the newly established Rice Brain Institute, The University of Texas Medical Branch's Moody Brain Health Institute, and the Memorial Hermann comprehensive neurology care department. This initiative follows the recent approval by Texas voters of a crucial ballot measure, allowing for the creation of a $3 billion, state-funded Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT).

According to the initiative's organizers, the initial steps for Project Metis will include:

• Creating working teams dedicated to brain health across all life stages, focusing on science and medical advances, as well as innovation and commercialization.
• Developing a regional Brain Health Index to monitor progress and equity in brain health initiatives.
• Implementing pilot projects in key areas such as clinical care, education, and workplace wellness.
• Sharing Houston’s advancements and insights at major international forums, including Davos and the UN General Assembly.

Leading the charge for Project Metis are notable figures in the field:

• Dr. Jochen Reiser, President of UTMB and CEO of the UTMB Health System, serves as Founding Chair.
• Amy Dittmar, Howard R. Hughes Provost and Executive Vice President of Rice University, is one of the Project Chairs.
• Dr. David L. Callender, President and CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System, also holds the position of Project Chair.

These leaders will collaborate with David Gow, the President and CEO of the Center for Houston’s Future, who is also the founder and chairman of Gow Media, the parent company of InnovationMap.

“Now is exactly the right time for Project Metis and the Houston-Galveston Region is exactly the right place,” said Gow in a news release. “Texas voters, by approving the state-funded Dementia Prevention Institute, have shown a strong commitment to brain health, as scientific advances continue daily. The initiative aims to harness Houston’s unique strengths: its concentration of leading medical and academic institutions, a vibrant innovation ecosystem, and a history of entrepreneurial leadership in health and life sciences.”

Early support for Project Metis has come from key members such as Lime Rock Resources, BP, and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Other organizations, including HKS, Houston Methodist, and the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, have also pledged their support.

Currently, an estimated 460,000 Texans are living with dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, with more than one million caregivers supporting them. This staggering statistic highlights the critical need for effective brain health strategies.

“Through our work, we see both the immense human toll of brain-related illness and the tremendous potential of early intervention, coordinated care and long-term prevention," Dr. Callender stated in the release. "That’s why this bold new initiative matters so much.”

As Project Metis unfolds, it promises not only to address the pressing challenges of brain health but also to set a benchmark for similar initiatives across the nation and globally. This collaborative effort reflects a growing recognition of the importance of brain health in enhancing quality of life and promotes preventive measures that can significantly benefit individuals and families dealing with dementia and other cognitive disorders.