 |
 |
Linda Herman wrote: >At a special event held at the National Institutes of Health on January >4, more than 150 principal investigators from nine institutes-the first >gathering of its type -heard NINDS Director Gerald D. Fischbach, M.D., >and Steven Hyman, M.D., director of NIMH, describe their vision of a new >intellectual framework for joint efforts in neuroscience research. The >new National Neuroscience Research Center, which will be built on the NIH >campus in Bethesda, Maryland, will support that vision through shared, >flexible space, easy traffic flow,and ample areas for interaction among >scientists and with the public, architect Rafael Vinoly explained. US >Representative John Edward Porter attended the event and reflected on his >longstanding interest in promoting collaboration among NIH Institutes and >his conviction that NIH must always strive to inform the public about its >research efforts and advances. The building will be named in honor of >Porter." This good news only underlines the loss that Neuroscience in general and PD in particular will endure when Dr. Fischbach leaves as Director of NINDS. Under the leadership of Dr. Fischbach and Dr Hyman of NIMH more collaboration is already taking place. There is currently a Neuroscience Center in rented space in Rockville MD which houses staff of NINDS, NIMH and others. The new building on the NIH campus, which was being planned when we first started working with Dr. Fischbach two years ago, will go further to break down artificial "institutional" distinctions in brain science. In a meeting with top staff of NIMH a couple of months ago, Dr. Hyman cited that Depression in PD was one of those issues that fell between the cracks of Neurology and Mental Health. The point was made clear by findings from the Global Parkinson's Survey of EPDA (depression is the major factor in quality of life for PWP), findings from the Movement Disorder Society's "evidence based review" of PD (almost no high quality research on PD and depression), and the tragic suicide of a young PD advocate just prior to the PAN forum last summer. I am pleased to report that the NIH is responding to the message. Last week I attended a research planning work group with about 20 scientists and clinicians sponsored by NINDS, NIMH, and NIA on "Depression and PD". Recommendations from the group will help NIH target research funds for basic science and clinical trials for this important but under investigated aspect of PD. I am also participating in a "aging and medical co-morbidity" work group which is part of a larger strategic planning effort of NIMH on Depression and Bipolar Disorder Research. The work groups are meeting in Pittsburgh on March 24-25 and there is a public event "Breaking Through: Why Treatment of Mood Disorders is Important to Health" scheduled for March 26 (also Pittsburgh). Years of advocacy are paying off in much needed new research. Dr. Hyman said we were among the most effective health lobbies in Washington. The NIH Parkinson's Research Agenda sets the plan and the FY 2001 Appropriations Conference Report designates the funds. Senior Researchers who have worked in related fields (e.g. Alzheimers, Depression/Heart Disease) are ready to apply their skills and knowledge to PD. Yet for all of us with PD the clock keeps ticking and the medications don't work as well. This research is years away from benefiting those of us living with PD now. I believe we should turn some of our attention to and urge our organizations and government to devote some of the resources to speed up new treatments in the pipeline and improve access to and quality of what is already available. Perry Cohen Washington DC