WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute

08/14/2026

WIRED takes an in-depth look at the pioneering work underway at the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute to advance focused ultrasound as a potential new approach to addiction.

Led by Dr. Ali Rezai, RNI has treated 47 participants through ongoing clinical trials for substance use disorders, with the RNI protocol being adopted by research sites across the U.S. and internationally.

As the field continues to evolve, RNI remains at the forefront - advancing the science and technology of noninvasive neuromodulation to develop new ways to treat some of the most challenging brain and behavioral health conditions.

One woman’s m**h addiction was so bad, the only option left might have been brain surgery. Then a single session of noninvasive, focused ultrasound seemed to do what years of treatment could not.

08/07/2026

Technical skill will always matter in neurosurgery. For today’s recruits, it is only part of the equation.

Dr. Konrad reflects on how neurosurgical training has evolved over nearly 30 years. The next generation of neurosurgeons must combine precision and clinical judgment with minimally invasive techniques and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and robotics.

The goal is clear: address complex neurological conditions more efficiently, reduce hospital stays, and help patients return home sooner.

Pairing our innovative resources at the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute with the advance training practices of the WVU School of Medicine, we are preparing neurosurgeons not only for the operating rooms of today, but also for the future of patient care.

08/06/2026

In 2023, a team at the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute in Morgantown did som**hing no one else in the world had done: they tested a new kind of brain implant in a living patient.

The device is called the Layer 7 Cortical Interface. It's thinner than a human hair and holds 1,024 tiny electrodes that rest on the surface of the brain. Unlike older implants, it doesn't need to pierce brain tissue to work. Instead, it lies on top and reads electrical activity in a level of detail doctors had never captured before.

Dr. Peter Konrad, chair of neurosurgery at RNI, led the procedure in partnership with Precision Neuroscience. It was a first step toward brain-computer interfaces that could one day help people with paralysis, traumatic brain injury and other neurological conditions regain abilities they've lost.

Hear Dr. Konrad explain what this milestone meant and why RNI keeps pushing this research forward.

08/05/2026

Did you know recovery from a stroke, brain injury, or major surgery often depends just as much on what happens after the hospital stay as during it?

That's where the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit steps in. Today, they're celebrating one incredible year of helping patients across our region rebuild strength, independence, and confidence. Many former patients came back to say hello, reconnecting with the nurses and therapists who cared for them, and showing off just how much progress they've made since going home.

Since opening in May 2025, the IRU has cared for nearly 200 patients recovering from stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, and more, right here at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, working hand-in-hand with the specialists at the RNI.

To the incredible team making this possible, thank you for showing up for our patients and families every single day. Here's to many more years of helping our community recover!

07/28/2026

In 2023, the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute became the first site in the world to perform a human procedure using Precision Neuroscience’s Layer 7 Cortical Interface—a thin, flexible array of 1,024 electrodes that rests on the brain’s surface without penetrating tissue.

In April 2025, the FDA granted 510(k) clearance for the device to measure and stimulate cortical brain activity, including during intraoperative brain mapping, marking a significant milestone for the future of brain-computer interfaces.
Now, RNI has reached its 100th patient using this pioneering technology. From the first procedure to the hundredth, Dr. Peter Konrad and the RNI team continue to advance brain-computer interface technology to improve surgical precision, expand our understanding of the brain, and ultimately improve outcomes for patients.

07/18/2026

Loneliness and social isolation can increase dementia risk and may contribute to cognitive decline over time.

Dr. Lauren Bojarski, a neurologist at the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, explains why maintaining meaningful social connections is an important part of long-term brain health. Whether it is attending church, joining a book club, volunteering, or spending time with family and friends, staying engaged with others can make a difference.

Watch the Reel to learn why social connection is considered a modifiable risk factor for dementia.

07/17/2026

Permanent daylight saving time is reshaping the conversation around sleep and brain health.

Dr. Randy Nelson explains how our body's internal clock depends on morning light in a recent HuffPost feature.

07/16/2026

Dr. Lauren Bojarski, a neurologist at the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, explains how managing certain risk factors throughout life may help protect memory and reduce the risk of dementia.

These steps can include:

• Staying socially connected
• Keeping your mind active and continuing to learn
• Managing blood pressure and cholesterol
• Having your vision and hearing checked
• Protecting your head during higher-risk activities

Brain health is built over a lifetime. The choices you make today may help preserve your memory, independence, and quality of life in the years ahead.

Watch the Reel to learn how you can take a more proactive approach to your brain health.

06/27/2026

Today is PTSD Awareness Day, and the people living with it deserve understanding.

PTSD can follow any experience the brain registers as traumatic. It doesn't discriminate by age, background, or circumstance. And for many people, it goes unrecognized for years, not because they aren't struggling, but because they haven't been given the language or the space to name what they're experiencing.

Swipe through our carousel to learn what PTSD really looks like, why so many people don't seek help, and what recovery can mean.

If you or someone you love is ready to take the next step, our Department of Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry at the RNI includes trauma-specialized psychologists who provide compassionate, evidence-based care.

06/25/2026

The WVU Medicine Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute is proud to share that Healing House has received a three-year CARF accreditation. This is the highest accreditation term available, and an achievement earned on our very first attempt.

CARF is an independent, nonprofit organization that evaluates health and human service providers against rigorous international standards for quality care. Most facilities receive a one-year accreditation. Earning three years on the first try reflects the dedication of every member of our Healing House team.

Healing House supports adults in Harrison County who need continued care after completing an intensive addiction treatment program, helping them practice recovery skills, rebuild daily routines, and reconnect with their community with the right support around them.

We're grateful to our entire team, our graduates, and the community we're proud to serve.