image: UT Dallas Dean of the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences Adam J. Woods, PhD, is returning to participate in BrainHealth Week 2026.
Credit: Center for BrainHealth
Center for BrainHealth, a global leader in brain health research and its practical application, announces its fourth annual BrainHealth Week, February 23–28, 2026. The week-long conference features a diverse lineup of events designed to educate and inspire people of all ages to take action for better brain health. As brain health takes center stage at global forums like Davos and the UN General Assembly, BrainHealth Week 2026, presented by Ciridian, marks a pivotal moment in cognitive neuroscience. This event brings together world-renowned neuroscientists and brain performance experts to translate breakthrough research into "brain gains." Moving beyond theory, the week provides a practical roadmap for longevity, featuring science-backed strategies that offer measurable improvements in daily performance and quality of life.
In addition to actionable takeaways to improve their own brain health, attendees will get a first look at the latest science from The BrainHealth Project and inaugural data from the BrainHealth Network — a national collaborative set to present critical updates on the exploration and future of precision brain health.
For over 25 years, the Center for BrainHealth has been redefining how people understand and address the brain’s health and cognitive performance. While approximately 90% of people understand that their brain’s capacity can be improved, fewer than 30% of them know how to make those changes.
"BrainHealth Week was founded to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and the daily habits that can improve brain health," said Dr. Sandra Bond Chapman, founder and chief director of Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas. "With a strategic focus on resilience this year, we are highlighting that proactive brain health isn’t just about fixing problems, it’s about building capacity, adaptability and longevity so we can function at our best every day and protect against future decline.”
BrainHealth Week 2026 will define the future of precision brain health—exploring the frontier of biosensor technology, the secrets of "superagers," and the next generation of mental resilience. The week’s events feature a world-class lineup of speakers and visionaries, including:
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Sandra Bond Chapman, PhD - Chief Director of Center for BrainHealth and a pioneer in cognitive neuroscience. She leads The BrainHealth Project, a landmark population-scale study focused on defining and improving brain performance across the lifespan.
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Mark D’Esposito, MD - World-renowned neurologist at the University of California, Berkeley and member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, whose research explores the neural mechanisms of the mind.
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Adm. William McRaven - Retired U.S. Navy four-star admiral and former chancellor of the University of Texas System.
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Russell Foster, PhD FRS - Professor of Circadian Neuroscience and Chair Department of Ophthalmology at Oxford University. He is an expert in circadian rhythms and their impact on health and well-being across the lifespan.
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John Cryan, PhD - Vice President for Research and Innovation at University College Cork, whose research on the microbiota-gut-brain axis is emerging as a key area of brain health.
To see a full schedule of BrainHealth Week 2026 and register for events, visit:https://centerforbrainhealth.org/events/brainhealth-week
Center for BrainHealth wants to acknowledge and thank the sponsors and partners that have made BrainHealth Week 2026 possible including Ciridian, GoMo Health, H-E-B, Corgan, Aging Mind Foundation, Avanci, Blessing Family Foundation, Hillside Fund, Slalom, Mary Kay Family Foundation and others.
About Center for BrainHealth Center for BrainHealth, part of The University of Texas at Dallas, is a nonprofit translational research institute committed to enhancing, preserving, and restoring brain health across the lifespan. Major research areas include the use of functional and structural neuroimaging techniques to better understand the neurobiology supporting the continual growth of cognition, well-being and social connections in health and disease. This leading-edge scientific exploration is translated quickly into practical innovations to improve how people think, work and live, empowering people of all ages to thrive and unlock their brain potential. Translational innovations leverage 1) the BrainHealth Index, a proprietary measure that uniquely charts one’s upward (or downward) brain health trajectory whatever their starting level; and 2) Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Tactics (SMART™) brain health training, a strategy-based toolkit developed and tested by BrainHealth researchers and other teams over three decades.
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