Division of Clinical Research

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The Division of Clinical Research provides oversight for clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of innovative treatments of neurological disorders and stroke, epidemiological studies of natural history, biomarker studies, and studies designed to elucidate the causes of neurological disorders; develops new clinical science initiatives, maintains the scientific integrity of clinical trials, and provides expertise in statistics and clinical trial design to the Institute and to clinical investigators.

Some other activities of DCR include providing guidance and leadership to NINDS-funded extramural networks that implement clinical trials in neurological disorders and stroke; promoting epidemiological studies of the natural history and early markers of neurological disorders and stroke; developing research initiatives aimed at reducing health disparities in neurological disorders; and promoting research that focuses on how clinical research outcomes can be translated into clinical practice.

Immediate Office

• Janna M. Belser-Ehrlich Ph.D., Chief of Staff
• Renee Waltzer, Executive Assistant 

Organization

The Division of Clinical Research directs and coordinates all activities of the following NINDS office and clinical trial networks. Meet the DCR staff.

Office of Global Health and Health Disparities (OGHHD)
OGHHD supports research to diminish health disparities in neurological disorders, which is inherent in the NINDS mission and commitment to reducing the disproportionate burden of neurological disease borne by underserved groups of society, including racial and ethnic minority, rural, and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, by funding a spectrum of research from basic science through clinical studies and training the next generation of health disparities investigators and to strengthen NINDS investments in research on health disparities and minority, community, and global health. Meet the Office of Global Health and Health Disparities team.

Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network (EPPIC-Net)
EPPIC-Net seeks to enhance the treatment of acute and chronic pain and reduce reliance on opioids by accelerating early-phase clinical trials of non-addictive treatments for pain.
Contact: Barbara I. Karp, M.D.

Stroke Trials Network (NIH StrokeNet)
StrokeNet conducts small and large clinical trials and research studies to advance acute stroke treatment, stroke prevention, and recovery and rehabilitation following a stroke across the lifespan.
Contact: Scott Janis, Ph.D.

NeuroNEXT
NeuroNEXT focuses on early phase clinical trials and biomarker studies preparatory to phase III clinical trials in neurological disorders.
Contact: Sophie Cho, M.D.

Strategies to Innovate EmeRgENcy Care Clinical Trials Network (SIREN)
SIREN aims to improve the outcomes of patients with neurologic, cardiac, respiratory, hematologic and trauma emergencies by identifying effective treatments administered in the earliest stages of critical care.
Contact: SIREN_NINDS@nih.gov