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The Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Branch (MRDD), Center for Research for Mothers and Children (CRMC), of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), and the Division of Fundamental Neuroscience and Developmental Disorders (DFNDD) of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), in collaboration with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), invite research grant applications that address various aspects of cognition and behavior in individuals with Down Syndrome (DS). Areas of interest include the developmental and neurological mechanisms underlying characteristic loss of function, approaches toward preserving or improving level of function, and methods to assess effects of interventions. Six to seven awards may be funded under this grant solicitation subject to the availability of funds.

The Rheumatic Diseases Program of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), Chronic Disabling Diseases Program, National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR), Division of Convulsive, Infectious and Immune Disorders, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Office of Alternative Medicine (OAM), Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR), and the Office of Research on Women"s Health (ORWH) invite research grant applications (R01) and exploratory/developmental grants (R21) from interested investigators for tightly focused innovative research studies related to all aspects of pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and to relationships between FMS and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Improved understanding of the origins and the biological, neurological and psychosocial mechanisms underlying the clinical manifestations of fibromyalgia syndrome will have an impact on the development of more effective diagnostic tests and new therapies for both FMS and related disorders.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) encourage investigator-initiated research grant applications to study the pathogenesis and therapy of the various forms of muscular dystrophy in children and adults. Responses to this program announcement may include studies in appropriate animal models or preclinical or clinical studies in patients with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSH), limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD), myotonic dystrophy, congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD), Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EMD), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), or other forms of muscular dystrophy.

This Request for Applications (RFA) solicits grant applications to develop and implement a procedure for collection of Central Nervous System (CNS) tissues from HIV infected patients through a standardized autopsy protocol. Applications responding to this RFA must describe a process for recruitment and selection of HIV-infected individuals into a protocol that will include regular assessments of neurological status, assessment of drug use history with verification by objective measures when possible, regular blood and CSF collection for virological and serological studies, and implementation of the necessary events culminating in the collection of CNS tissue at autopsy. Of particular interest to NIDA is documentation of drug use history and verification by objective measures when possible. A standardized autopsy protocol, developed during several workgroups with participation of contributing Institute Program staff and extramural researchers, has been recommended, and applicants should use this protocol in their research design.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is committed to investigating the efficacy of acupuncture for treating or preventing disease and accompanying symptoms by supporting well-designed, well-executed, randomized clinical trials (RCT). Before proceeding to a full-scale RCT, pilot clinical studies are often required. In the present program announcement (PA), the NIH announces its interest in supporting pilot studies to establish the methodological feasibility and strengthen the scientific rationale for proceeding to full-scale RCTs on the use of acupuncture to prevent, manage, or treat various symptoms/disorders. The emphasis of these pilot trials should be placed on the development of appropriate study design rather than on attempts to complete an insufficiently powered RCT. For the purposes of this PA, trials of acupuncture incorporating moxibustion or herbal medicine will not be considered. Under this PA, applications will be accepted on a single application receipt date and reviewed by a Special Emphasis Panel (SEP) administered through the Center for Scientific Review (CSR).

The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) are interested in facilitating investigator-initiated research designed to deal with symptoms associated with chronic neurological conditions including stroke, epilepsy, brain and spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson"s disease. The overall goals are to manage symptoms effectively, to prevent secondary effects of the condition when possible, to maximize the health potential, and to improve the health-related quality of life for patients, caregivers, and families.

The purpose of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to solicit applications for innovative research projects that will develop new quantitative methods for mapping sets of genes that influence susceptibility to complex human diseases. The specific objectives to be accomplished are: (1) the development of powerful and flexible statistical methods that will enable researchers to localize and map multiple disease susceptibility genes, and (2) the implementation of these new, sophisticated methods in highly efficient and well-documented computer programs widely disseminated for use by a broad range of biomedical researchers.

The purpose of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to solicit applications as part of an effort to create resources that will facilitate the mapping and positional cloning of genes in the zebrafish. The specific objectives to be accomplished are: (1) the generation of a genetic map with a resolution of 0.3 cM or better, (2) the development of Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) both from existing libraries and also from new cDNA libraries from specific developmental time points and tissues generated under this RFA, and (3) creation of a physical (radiation hybrid) map of the zebrafish genome.

The Institutes listed above invite investigator-initiated research grant applications to study the mechanisms by which hyperglycemia results in the late complications of diabetes and to apply this information to the development of interventions to prevent, limit or reverse complications associated with type 1 diabetes. The Request for Applications (RFA) addresses pathogenic mechanisms common to the spectrum of complications of diabetes, as well as research directed specifically at diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy, and macrovascular and oral complications. A complementary RFA (DK-98-001) is focused on mechanisms, genetic determinants and interventions for diabetic nephropathy. A particular area of scientific opportunity, which is emphasized in this RFA, is the role of growth factors in the pathogenesis and/or therapy of complications of diabetes. The intent of this RFA is to intensify investigator-initiated research, to attract new investigators to the field and to enhance interdisciplinary approaches to research in these areas.

In response to recent research progress and opportunity, and in recognition of Congressional interest to intensify and to expand basic and clinical research in Parkinson"s Disease, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) invites qualified investigators to submit grant applications for the establishment of NINDS Parkinson"s Disease Research Centers of Excellence. The purpose of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to encourage additional research opportunities and discoveries that will lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of patients with Parkinson"s Disease, based on a better understanding of the fundamental cause(s) of the disease. It is expected that these Centers will foster an environment that will enhance the research effectiveness of investigators in a multi-disciplinary setting, utilizing specialized methods relevant to the study of Parkinson"s Disease.