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ATLANTA—The Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases, a research center focused on inflammation in the brain and how it may contribute to a number of serious health conditions, has been introduced at Georgia State University.

Neuroinflammation is a complex process now recognized as a common factor in the development of many diseases, including obesity, stroke, hypertension, Alzheimer’s disease and depression. Researchers will seek to uncover the mechanisms underlying the neuroinflammatory response and determine how neuroinflammation may contribute to various conditions.

Javier Stern, a leading expert in in neuroinflammation who joined Georgia State in 2017, will be the founding director of the center. He was recruited from Augusta University as part of the Next Generation Program, which aims to build strength around core and emerging research that has strategic importance to the university.

“Under Stern’s leadership, the Center will unite faculty in areas of existing research strengths, including neuroscience, immunology, cardiovascular health and obesity,” said James Weyhenmeyer, vice president for research and economic development at Georgia State. “In doing so, we have the potential to improve scientific understanding of critical disorders and how they develop.”

The center will also focus on converting laboratory breakthroughs into new clinical tools.

“The translational approach is important because we’re tackling some very important questions related to diseases that are strongly prevalent not only in the state of Georgia but across the country,” Stern said.

The center’s mission will incorporate that of the Center for Obesity Reversal, which was formed in 2014 to promote collaborative research focused on obesity and related diseases. It was discontinued after the death of founding director Timothy Bartness in 2015.

The Center for Neuroinflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases will mentor and train new graduate students in this research area and provide training for postdoctoral fellows. The center also intends to provide research experience for undergraduate students and increase the numbers of minorities and women at all training levels.

For more information, visit http://neuroinflammation.gsu.edu.