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Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the thalamus for the treatment of tremor was approved by the FDA in 1997 following the pioneering work of Benabid and colleagues in France. Subsequently it has been found that stimulation in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) or globus pallidus (GPi) can relieve multiple symptoms of Parkinson"s disease (PD). DBS has been successful in restoring significant mobility to a large number of patients with advanced PD. During the past year, GPi and STN stimulation underwent review at the FDA for potential use to decrease symptoms of dyskinesia, tremor, postural instability, and/or bradykinesia in individuals with advanced PD.

Functional brain imaging techniques that take advantage of the changes in hemodynamic responses of the brain (positron emission tomography, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and infrared imaging) have emerged as promising new avenues for studying the neural basis of many different cognitive activities. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS),the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) invite research grant applications that offer the promise of exceptional technical and conceptual advances in our understanding of the nature of the signal being recorded in hemodynamic brain imaging techniques. We currently have a fundamental gap in our knowledge, because we do not truly understand the linkage between the hemodynamic response that is being recorded in imaging techniques and the supporting cellular and molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, the time course of the hemodynamic response, which evolves over 10 to 15 seconds, has been problematic in the ability of these functional imaging techniques to be applied to issues involving temporal sequencing of various cognitive events. Of particular interest for this RFA would be approaches involving functional imaging and neurophysiological (e.g., single and multi- unit recording) studies conducted entirely in non-human primates intended to address the issue of the neural mechanisms underlying functional activation determined using fMRI or PET techniques. Also of interest are proposals that take advantage of improved understanding of the link between hemodynamic and neural events to increase the ability of functional imaging methods to accurately assess the temporal sequencing of cognitive activation that cannot be answered in humans with current technology. Thus, this RFA seeks proposals that will increase the utility of functional imaging techniques by a) providing greater understanding of the link to underlying neural activity and b) improving the ability of these techniques to address questions with a significant temporal component.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) invite applications to address the problem of hypoglycemia unawareness in patients with diabetes. Episodes of severe hypoglycemia are a major obstacle to the achievement of euglycemia and the prevention of long- term complications in patients with diabetes. Many individuals with diabetes develop hypoglycemia unawareness, which prevents institution of intensified blood glucose control and puts patients at risk for hypoglycemia-related complications. This RFA solicits basic and clinical studies to 1) define the mechanisms underlying the loss of hypoglycemia awareness in patients with diabetes, and 2) develop novel approaches to prevent or reverse hypoglycemia unawareness.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) solicit applications for clinical studies designed to enhance understanding and prevention of hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes. Large clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of intensified glucose control in the prevention of the long-term complications of diabetes. However, episodes of severe hypoglycemia may complicate intensified treatment and are often a major obstacle to the achievement of euglycemia in many patients. This RFA solicits clinical studies to 1) define and characterize hypoglycemia in diabetic individuals and 2) develop new approaches to prevent the development of hypoglycemia or to ameliorate its effects in individuals with diabetes.

The NINDS seeks to fund high quality clinical trials to evaluate treatments for neurological disorders. The NINDS Clinical Trial Planning Grant allows for early peer review of the rationale and design for clinical trials of treatments for neurological disorders and provides support for the development of a detailed clinical trial research plan, including a complete manual of operations and procedures.

The NINDS is committed to identifying effective treatments for neurological disorders by supporting well-executed clinical trials. Before proceeding to a full-scale clinical trial, pilot clinical studies are often required. The NINDS announces its interest in supporting pilot studies required to obtain necessary information to clearly establish the clinical basis for proceeding to a full- scale trial. The purpose of PILOT STUDIES FOR CLINICAL TRIALS IN NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS grant (for brevity referred to as NINDS Pilot Studies grant) is to obtain preliminary data and conduct studies to support the rationale for a subsequent full-scale clinical trial of an intervention to treat or prevent neurological disease.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) invite grant applications for the formation of cross-disciplinary networks of scientists interested in studying the etiology of Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and its implications for the disorder’s nosology, assessment and treatment. These research networks will allow the formation of novel collaborations among neuroscientists, behavioral scientists, and clinical scientists in order to develop integrative and cutting edge research project grant applications. These networks are intended to facilitate the connection between etiologic theory and ADHD assessment techniques and treatment procedures. Networks must include representation from multiple perspectives that, at a minimum, span expertise across levels of analysis (e.g., molecular to behavioral) and disciplines (e.g., behavioral science, neuroscience, genetics, psychiatry, pediatrics).

The goal of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to accelerate the translation of gene transfer methodologies into the clinic. Gene therapy holds tremendous promise for the treatment of neurological disorders. Despite recent advances in this area however, specific scientific, technological, and safety goals must be achieved before gene transfer becomes a viable therapeutic alternative. Current needs include more effective methods for controlling the expression of therapeutic transgenes in the brain, better strategies for vector delivery and monitoring transgene expression, more studies addressing the toxicity of specific vector/transgene combinations, and greater knowledge of the long term effects of expressing specific transgenes in the nervous system. This RFA is intended to encourage research projects that address these or related translational issues in the context of specific neurological disorders.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the thalamus for the treatment of tremor was approved by the FDA in 1997 following the pioneering work of Benabid and colleagues in France. Subsequently it has been found that stimulation in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) or globus pallidus (GPi) can relieve multiple symptoms of Parkinson"s disease (PD). DBS has been successful in restoring significant mobility to a large number of patients with advanced PD. GPi and STN stimulation are currently being considered for use to decrease symptoms of dyskinesia, tremor, postural instability, and/or bradykinesia in individuals with advanced PD.

The Neurodegeneration and Clinical Trial Groups of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) request applications for clinical centers to collaborate in the performance of a large, double-blind randomized trial of two or more potential neuroprotective agents in patients early in the course of Parkinson’s disease. Applications for coordinating and statistical centers were requested in a separate solicitation (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NS-01-012.html). The trial was called for in the NIH Parkinson Research Agenda (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/about_ninds/nihparkinsons_agenda.htm). The neuroprotectants to be tested in the trial have not yet been chosen and will be selected by an NINDS-appointed Oversight Committee from among those proposed by the applicants who respond to this Request for Applications (RFA) as well as from those suggested by others, including NINDS grantees, pharmaceutical companies, patients, and patient advocates.