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Parkinson's Disease Research Agenda Implementation Review Meeting Cites Progress, Future Directions, and Common Themes
January 9 and 10th, 2002
Bethesda, MD
Scientists, patient advocates, and representatives of nine National Institutes of Health (NIH) components gathered January 9-10 to review progress made in implementing the agency's Parkinson's Disease Research Agenda. In her welcoming remarks, NIH Director Dr. Ruth Kirschstein spoke of the "unprecedented push, unseen ever before," that the NIH has made in Parkinson's disease research since the document was written. Originally released in March 2000, the Agenda describes areas of significant scientific opportunity in Parkinson's research to be explored over the following five years. The January 2002 meeting reviewed progress made towards accomplishing the goals set forth in the Agenda, identified newly emerging areas of interest, and prioritized future research goals.
The general consensus of the attendees is that the NIH is doing a good job implementing the Agenda's initiatives. However, participants identified additional areas of interest too new to have been stressed in the original document, and at least one area, rehabilitation, where current knowledge of the field indicates that additional efforts would be worthwhile.
Two breakout groups-one on the basic mechanisms of Parkinson's disease, the other on its treatment-discussed goals believed to be obtainable over the next 3 years. At the closing plenary session, participants identified several common themes that reinforce these goals:
Other significant issues targeted by the participants include:
"The feedback from all the participants was extremely gratifying," said Dr. Audrey S. Penn, Acting Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, which hosted the meeting, "but I was particularly encouraged by the positive feedback from the patient advocates."
A detailed account of the meeting proceedings is available at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/parkinsonsweb/FY02_PD_CACR.htm.
Last updated February 09, 2005