EPILOGUE 303brain. Epidemiological studies are tracking the incidence of neurological
diseases within specific populations.
NINDS intramural researchers also lead the way in stem cell research.
Their studies have contributed to fundamental advances in understand
ing embryonic and adult stem cells; to improved methods for isolation,
proliferation, and specialization of stem cells; and to promising therapeutic
attempts in animal models of stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease,
demyelinating diseases, brain tumors, and inherited metabolic disorders.
The NINDS intramural division will continue to be a place for basic
research of uncertain outcome that may take years to complete. Our chal
lenge is to balance research that pushes the neurosciences forward with
research that pushes treatments for neurological diseases forward. Transla
tional research encompasses the many steps needed to move from basic
research insights to a therapy ready for human testing in clinical trials.
It is one way of quickly moving discoveries from the laboratory to life
saving treatments. We will continue to energize our efforts to translate
opportunities into practical therapies.
I am fortunate to have become director at a pivotal time in the his
tory of the NINDS and the NIH. Before taking my present position as
the NINDS Director, I was the scientific director of the institute’s intra
mural research program, and worked with my counterparts at other neuro
science institutes to integrate our intramural research programs through
a common seminar series, a shared website, shared resources, and joint
recruitment of outstanding scientists.
The emergence of an inter-institute and multidisciplinary community
of intramural neuroscientists has led to the development of the concept for
the new National Neuroscience Research Center (NNRC) on the Bethesda
campus. Scientific directors from seven intramural programs worked to
gether to select cross cutting neuroscience research themes, and researchers
whose approaches to those themes complemented one another. Laboratory
space in the Center is assigned according to the potential for catalyzing
scientific interactions rather than by institute affiliation. Investigators
from each of the participating NIH institutes will be joining in this
effort to “put the brain back together” and set the standard for collabora
tive research in neuroscience.