We all know someone with a brain disorder, be it Alzheimer’s, depression or chronic pain. These disorders represent a public health crisis affecting more than 2 billion people, with new cases diagnosed every few seconds, economic impact exceeding $3 trillion, and significant burden on caregivers, doctors, and patients. Despite a steadily increasing prevalence of disease tied to extended lifespans, effective treatments have evaded researchers for decades. This panel examines how researchers can turn the tide from drug development failures — unlocking new understandings of our brain, creating new types of treatments, and testing them efficiently in patient groups. Panelists can speak to the steps in this process and their work to succeed where others have struggled.