This year, as we mark our 75th anniversary, we reflect on the extraordinary advances we have achieved together and look ahead to the future of neuroscience—one defined by innovation, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to improving lives.
Director's Messages
As another year has come to a close, I am again pleased to share with you a few of the exciting accomplishments of NINDS-funded scientists in 2024. In 2025, we look forward to reflecting on 75 years of NINDS research progress and engaging all corners of our community in imagining how we will overcome major challenges in understanding the nervous system and improving neurological health.
As November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, I want to bring awareness to some of the promising NIH research and discoveries that may help people living with Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD) and their families, and to share an opportunity with you to provide us with your input on the most important needs and promising opportunities for ADRD research.
On September 4-5, 2024, the National Advisory Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NANDS) Council met in Bethesda, MD. The NANDS advises NINDS on policy and procedures affecting NINDS research programs, provides a second level of review for all grant and cooperative agreement applications considered by the Institute for funding, and serves as an important source of external input on a range of other topics important for the Institute.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease, affecting around 30,000 people in the United States. Through the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act (ACT for ALS) and beyond, we at NINDS have joined the fight against the relentless ALS clock, and we are working every day to try to slow it down, and hopefully someday, eliminate it completely.
On July 23-24, NINDS will host its 2024 Nonprofit Forum, which brings together the neuroscience community, including nonprofit and patient advocacy organizations, professional societies focused on neurological disorders and neuroscience research, people with lived experience of neurological disorders, NINDS staff, researchers, academia, and other federal partners, to build connections, learn from one another, and continue to make progress together.
The National Advisory Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NANDS) Council met virtually from February 14-15, 2024. The NANDS Council is composed of highly accomplished scientists and clinicians as well as members of the public, such as representatives from patient groups. Together, these Council members bring broad expertise and experience to guide NINDS on program planning, policies, and research priorities. They also provide a second level of review for all grants and cooperative agreements that NINDS is considering for funding and review ongoing programs in both the extramural and intramural research programs.
Rare and ultra-rare diseases affect millions of people worldwide. Today, roughly 10,000 known rare and ultra-rare diseases affect more than 30 million Americans and their families. The incidence of each disease may be rare, but collectively, rare diseases represent a unique public health challenge. Further, rare diseases disproportionately affect the nervous system, and almost 90% of rare disorders can occur in children. For years, the NIH and NINDS have supported important research efforts and partnerships that aim to better understand, diagnose, and treat rare diseases.
Neurodegenerative diseases progressively damage specific cells and connections in the brain and/or spinal cord, exacting an enormous toll on the health of people living with these diseases, as well as their families and caregivers. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a particularly devastating and complex neurodegenerative disease that affects the neurons that control voluntary muscle movement.
Neurodegenerative diseases result in progressive damage to specific cells and connections in the brain and spinal cord, and they exact an incalculable toll on patients, as well as their families and caregivers. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that gradually robs people of their ability to walk, talk, move, swallow, and even to breathe on their own.