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The following consists of excerpts from Rep. Porter's subcommittee report accompanying the H.R.4274 1999 appropriations bill for Health and Human Services, which I copied from a sub-page of http://thomas.loc.gov: Phil Tompkins ----------------------------------------------------------------- [Report no.] 105-635 DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATION BILL, 1999 JULY 20, 1998- Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed Mr. PORTER, from the Committee on Appropriations, submitted the following R E P O R T together with DISSENTING VIEWS [To accompany H.R. 4274] The Committee on Appropriations submits the following report in explanation of the accompanying bill making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services ... ... DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATION BILL, 1999 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE The Committee provides $851,066,000 for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), which is $71,809,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and $9,327,000 above the Administration request. Mission- The NINDS supports and conducts basic and clinical neurological research and research training to increase understanding of the brain and improve the prevention and treatment of neurological and neuromuscular disorders. The NINDS mission encompasses over 600 disorders, including stroke; head and spinal cord injury; epilepsy; multiple sclerosis; and neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease. ... Dystonia- The Committee continues to be pleased with NINDS efforts to encourage extramural initiatives in dystonia specific research. The Committee urges NINDS to work closely with other organizations having an interest in dystonia research to collaborate joint research programs encouraging investigators to study dystonia, particularly in light of the recent discovery of the DYT1 gene for early on-set dystonia which has prompted many new dystonia related research options. ... Neurodegenerative diseases- The Committee is encouraged by the increased emphasis placed on the study of neurodegenerative diseases within NINDS and across NIH. The Committee continues to support research investigating the role of neurotransmitters in neurodegenerative disorders. ... Parkinson's disease- The Committee recognizes the personal and economic costs resulting from Parkinson's disease and considers research in this area a high priority. The Committee is very encouraged by promising developments in understanding the disorder's cause and pathophysiology and in developing effective treatments and recognizes the benefit of breakthroughs in such areas on other disorders within and outside the Institute's scope. The Committee urges the Institute to intensify its investment in Parkinson's focused research, including its coordination with NIA, NIEHS, and other Institutes. The Committee is encouraged by the initiation of a core center program and urges NINDS to expand the program. In addition, the Institute is urged to utilize all other available mechanisms, as appropriate, including requests for applications, program announcements, and extended funding of selected investigators now working in the field, to further implement the 1997 Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research Act. The Committee requests NINDS to report on its progress in implementing the Act at its fiscal year 2000 appropriations hearing. ... Restless legs syndrome- The Committee encourages NINDS to follow up on recent scientific publications highlighting the public health significance of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD). Any research conducted should include studies which investigate the relation of RLS and PLMD to other conditions such as pregnancy, diabetes, renal disease, fibromyalgia, spinal cord injuries, neuropathies, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and should be coordinated with the appropriate Institutes.