The NIH has a new program entitled the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research. This program is designed to turn discoveries into new drugs for nervous system diseases by providing a “virtual pharma” with resources, expertise and funding to advance promising compounds from chemical optimization through Phase 1 clinical testing. The network is structured so that the PI can retain ownership of the intellectual property for drugs developed within it. Disorders of interest include, but are not limited to, neurological, psychiatric and developmental disorders, dementias of aging, diseases and disorders of the eye or ear, and drug and alcohol dependence and addiction. The ultimate goals of this Neurotherapeutics Grand Challenge are to produce at least one novel and effective drug for a nervous system disorder that is currently poorly treated and to catalyze industry interest in novel disease targets by demonstrating early-stage success.
Entry requirements are the following:
- At least one small molecule compound with strong evidence of biologic activity in a nervous system disease assay.
- A robust, moderate throughput assay of biological activity suitable for testing compounds generated in an iterative medicinal chemistry effort.
- Secondary bioassays and models sufficient to evaluate the potential of a drug candidate for the intended indication.
To apply, go to
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NS-11-002.html
The deadline is August 10, 2010
Contact Dr. Rebecca Farkas at farkasr@ninds.nih.gov or (301) 496-1779
for more information regarding this new initiative
Most treatments for cerebral palsy (CP) are initially directed toward children. What is not clearly established is the long- term effects of such treatments. Many appear helpful in the short term but prove to be disadvantageous in the long run. Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is a permanent, irreversible neurosurgical procedure for reducing spasticity in cerebral palsy. Parents contemplating SDR for their child would like assurance that that there will not be harmful complications from it as the child ages into adolescence and adulthood. We now have new evidence...
