The mission of the Hope Center is to improve the lives of people living with neurological
disorders, through discovery of fundamental mechanisms of neurodegeneration that
translate new understanding into cures and treatments.

The Hope Center brings together world-leading scientists and clinician scientists whose expertise spans many different disciplines and diseases. Their common focus is neurodegeneration, which occurs when brain cells ("neurons") and their connections ("synapses") are damaged by disease or injury. These investigators share the conviction that there are common molecular mechanisms of degeneration, and that fundamental discoveries related to one disease can lead to cures and treatments in others.

The Hope Center accelerates the translational research process through these objectives:

• Establish state-of-the-art core resources and technical expertise, so that basic science discoveries can be rapidly tested in relevant and validated animal models.
• Provide funding for innovative disease-focused research, without the multi-year delays that can be typical for other sources of grant funds.
• Develop a research infrastructure that promotes collaboration across disciplines and institutions, trains the next generation of scientists, and speeds dissemination of information.

The Hope Center is a collaborative alliance between Washington University and Hope Happens, a St. Louis-based nonprofit organization. Hope Happens (formerly ALS Hope) was established in January 2002 by musician, advocate, and ALS patient, Chris Hobler, together with his family.