Past Meetings and Workshops
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2008
NIH Summit: The Science of Eliminating Health Disparities
December 16–18, 2008
National Harbor, MD
The National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities will sponsor a summit to showcase the collective contribution of the NIH in the development of new knowledge in the Science of Eliminating Health Disparities.
Building the NIH Toolbox: Research in Cognition, Sensation, Emotion and Motor Function
October 27, 2008
Bethesda, MD
The NIH Toolbox initiative seeks to assemble brief, comprehensive assessment tools that will be useful to clinicians and researchers in a variety of settings, with a particular emphasis on measuring outcomes in longitudinal epidemiologic studies and prevention or intervention trials across the lifespan. Join the inaugural conference where there will be discussions on:
- Introduction to the Toolbox and the NIH Blueprint
- What Toolbox Promises
- Toolbox Domains
NCCAM Meditation for Health Purposes
July 8–9, 2008
Bethesda, MD
The goals of the meeting were to assess current knowledge and identify opportunities for future research on the mechanisms and efficacy of meditation practices for a variety of health concerns. This workshop brought together experts in the fields of meditation practices, research design and methodology, physiological mechanisms, and affective and cognitive processes and outcomes. The meeting drew on this expertise to elucidate relevant aspects that would best move the field of meditation research forward. The meeting utilized a combination of short presentations, discussions, and breakout groups.
Meditation for Health Purposes Workshop
NCCAM Grantsmanship Workshop
June 3–5, 2008
Rockville, MD
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), conducted a 3-day grantsmanship workshop. This workshop provided researchers, fellows, and graduate students with an in-depth understanding of the NIH grants and review processes, clarify Federal regulations and policies, and highlight areas of special interest and concern.
Emphasis was placed on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) research. The workshop included time to interact and discuss research ideas with NCCAM staff. Each day of the meeting was videocast live and archived.
A Public Health Research Agenda for Integrative Medicine
May 14, 2008
Bethesda, MD
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine presented "A Public Health Research Agenda for Integrative Medicine." The increasing global use of traditional (e.g., indigenous) complementary and alternative medicine raises important public health questions. Integrative medicine (IM) research has focused primarily on clinical and experimental medicine (safety, efficacy and mechanism of action) and regulatory issues to the general neglect of public health dimensions. A public health research agenda for IM would include a systems approach in considering social, cultural, political, and economic contexts of IM use and outcomes with particular consideration of the needs of high IM users, special groups such as refugees, indigenous peoples, the poor, women users and others, in order to maximize the potential contribution of IM to health care globally. A public health and policy framework for IM has been developed and was presented.
The speaker was Gerard Bodeker, Ed.D., M.Psych., Chair, Global Initiative for Traditional Systems (GIFTS) of Health, Oxford, UK.; Dept of Clinical Medicine, Division of Medical Sciences, University of Oxford, and Oxford Department of International Development, UK; Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University. Dr. Bodeker, an Australian whose doctoral studies were at Harvard, holds faculty appointments in public health at Oxford and Columbia Universities. He chaired the Commonwealth Working Group on Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine and advises UN agencies in this field.
The meeting was held on the campus of the National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Building 50, Room 1328/1334. Seating was limited to approximately the first 60 people. Sign language interpreters were provided.
2007
The Status and Future of Acupuncture Research: 10 Years Post-NIH Consensus Conference
November 8–11, 2007
Baltimore, MD
This meeting is being held to review scientific progress in acupuncture research during the past decade and examine opportunities and challenges for future studies. In November 1997, a landmark report by a consensus panel convened by the National Institutes of Health concluded that there is clear evidence of acupuncture efficacy for postoperative and chemotherapy related nausea and vomiting, for nausea of pregnancy, and for postoperative dental pain. The NIH panel also cited other conditions for which acupuncture may be effective as a stand alone or an adjunct therapy, but for which there is less convincing scientific data. This meeting is being held to review scientific progress in acupuncture research during the past decade and examine opportunities and challenges for future studies.
Fascia Research Congress
October 4–5, 2007
Boston, MA
The meeting will gather together scientists involved in the research of the body's connective tissue matrix (fascia) with professionals involved in the therapeutic manipulation of this body wide structural fabric. The emphasis of the meeting will be the presentation of the latest scientific fascia research.
Vitamin D and Health in the 21st Century
September 5–6, 2007
Bethesda, MD
The first NIH conference on Vitamin D and Health in the 21st Century was held in 2003. Progress has been made in addressing many of the research needs raised in that conference. Yet, since the 2003 conference, new issues have been raised. At the conference, invited experts will present information pertinent to these topics and goals. The findings of the AHRQ evidence-based review on vitamin D will also be presented.
NCCAM Stakeholder Dialogue
June 20, 2007
Bethesda, MD
Representatives from the complementary and alternative medicine community met with NCCAM's Acting Director Ruth Kirschstein and NCCAM staff. The Dialogue was a chance to provide input and discuss future directions for research, research training, and outreach.
Bioelectromagnetics Society 29th Annual Meeting
June 10–15, 2007
Kanazawa, Japan
This meeting reviewed current research in bioelectromagnetics from around the world. The technical program will highlight medical applications of EMF in the plenary session. NCCAM is one of the sponsors for this meeting.
2006
Natural Products: Challenges and Opportunities
October 25, 2006
Distinguished Lectures in the Science of Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Ram Sasisekharan, Ph.D.
Professor of Biological Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Dr. Sasisekharan's research group is playing a central role developing tools and technologies to understand the function of cellular components called glycans. Glycans are complex sugars found on virtually every cell surface—they coat cells and regulate cell function. Science is slowly realizing the importance of these sugars to human health. In fact, the MIT team has discovered that glycans are integral to the communication between cells that causes them to divide, migrate, and die. Glycans are also found in a vast array of natural products including ginseng and chondroitin, which have been the focus of recent research by the team. During his lecture, Dr. Sasisekharan will illustrate the challenges and opportunities that arise from exploring natural products and discuss the potential of this research to improve human health.
Multivitamin/Mineral Supplements and Chronic Disease Prevention, NIH State-of-the-Science Conference
May 15–17, 2006
Bethesda, MD
The goal of the conference is to assess the evidence available on multivitamin and mineral supplements use and outcomes for chronic disease prevention in adults, and to make recommendations for future research. The first day and a half of the conference will consist of presentations by expert researchers and practitioners, and open public discussions. On May 17, the panel will present a statement and release a draft report.
Neurobiological Correlates of Acupuncture
April 26, 2006
Bruce Rosen, M.D., Ph.D.
Bethesda, MD
Dr. Bruce Rosen discussed how neuroimaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), pharmacological magnetic resonance imaging (phMRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) have brought considerable clarity to the heretofore rather secretive bases of acupuncture's effects on the human mind and body.
2005
Online Q and A on CAM and Cancer
November 2005
During the month of November, People Living With Cancer hosted a Question and Answer Forum on CAM and Cancer. Dr. Patrick Mansky, a medical oncologist in NCCAM's Intramural Research Program, was a featured expert.
Pediatric Integrative Medicine Conference
October 21–23, 2005
New York, NY
This conference was designed for pediatricians and primary care providers and CAM practitioners who treat children. Objectives of the meeting were to share information about the practice of integrative pediatrics and discuss current research for CAM practices in pediatric populations. NCCAM provided partial funding for the meeting.
Is Spirituality Good for Your Health?
October 28, 2005
Distinguished Lectures in the Science of Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Anne Harrington, Ph.D.
Bethesda, MD
Dr. Harrington presented "Is Spirituality Good for Your Health? Historical Reflections on an Emerging Research Enterprise." Dr. Harrington offered the historical interrelationship between spirituality and health and enticed some critical scrutiny of the varied questions and challenges they raise.
National Advisory Council for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NACCAM)—Twenty-First Meeting
September 9, 2005
Rockville, MD
The Biology of Manual Therapies
June 9–10, 2005
Bethesda, MD
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) sponsored a conference covering the underlying biology of manual therapies. Experts from the NIH and CIHR joined academic, patient advocacy, and professional organizations to assess current knowledge and identify opportunities for further research.
National Advisory Council for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NACCAM)–Twentieth Meeting
June 3, 2005
Rockville, MD
Share the Health
May 15, 2005
Wheaton, MD
The Share the Health expo demonstrated the National Institutes of Health (NIH) commitment to community outreach. People of all ages learned, experienced, and discovered new ways to maintain or improve their overall health and level of fitness. This event was free and open to the public.
Integrative Medicine: A Foundation for Prospective Health Care
April 22, 2005
Distinguished Lectures in the Science of Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Ralph Snyderman, M.D.
Bethesda, MD
Dr. Snyderman presented the concept of prospective medicine and role of integrative medicine in it. He discussed how the current health care system will be transformed from a reactive to proactive one in which integrative medicine approaches will be some of the needed tools used to prevent disease and treat individuals' health conditions.
Assessing the Health Effects of Bioactive Food Components
March 24–25, 2005 (Bethesda, MD)
April 1, 2005 (San Diego, CA)
This conference focused on existing and new approaches to assessing health effects and the suitability of these approaches to assessing the health effects of bioactive food components.
NIH State of the Science Conference on Management of Menopause-Related Symptoms
March 21–23, 2005
Bethesda, MD
This conference was intended for health care professionals and researchers interested in the aging of women at midlife, reproductive endocrinology, and menopause, as well as general practitioners, patients, their families, and interested members of the public.
- Conference Report
- Monday, March 21, 2005 NIH Videocast
- Tuesday, March 22, 2005 NIH Videocast
- Wednesday, March 23, 2005 NIH Videocast
National Conference on Dietary Supplements, Coagulation, and Antithrombotic Therapies
January 13–14, 2005
Bethesda, MD
The National Institutes of Health convened this national conference to increase our understanding of the potential for dietary supplements to interfere with hemostasis and antithrombotic therapies.
2004
NIH State of the Science Conference on Improving End-of-Life Care
December 6–8, 2004
Bethesda, MD
Experts presented the latest end-of-life research findings to an independent panel. After weighing all of the scientific evidence, the panel prepared a state-of-the-science statement for comment.
Workshop on the Safety of Black Cohosh in Clinical Studies–Meeting Summary
November 22, 2004
Bethesda, MD
NCCAM, in collaboration with the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), convened a small workshop to discuss issues related to the safety of black cohosh in clinical trials.
Reverse Herbology: Predicting and Preventing Adverse Herb-Drug Interactions
October 26, 2004
Distinguished Lectures in the Science of Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Steven A. Kliewer, Ph.D.
Bethesda, MD
Dr. Steven Kliewer, Departments of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, presented recent findings regarding the activation of PXR, a receptor in the liver and intestine which accelerates drug metabolism, by St. John's wort and other herbs. He discussed how this knowledge can be applied to predict and prevent harmful interactions between herbs and prescription drugs. This lecture was open to the public and could also be viewed live on the Web.
Live Web Chat on CAM and Cancer
September 20, 2004
NCCAM once again partnered with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and CancerCare to host a Web chat on ASCO's consumer Web site, People Living With Cancer (plwc.org). During this 1-hour session, NCCAM's Director, Dr. Stephen E. Straus, addressed topics related to the use of CAM in treating cancer. He also discussed how to find reliable information on CAM.
Transcript of the questions and answers
National Advisory Council for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NACCAM)–Eighteenth Meeting
September 10, 2004
Rockville, MD
NCCAM's Advisory Council had its third meeting of 2004.
NIH Roadmap Meeting
Regional Translational Research Centers Planning Meeting
July 16, 2004
Bethesda, MD
The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the proposed Regional Translational Research Centers program, an NIH Roadmap initiative.
Telephone Education Workshop
An Overview of Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Cancer
June 22, 2004
Bethesda, MD
Stephen Straus, M.D., NCCAM Director, discussed the role of complementary and alternative medicine in managing cancer. This Telephone Education Workshop was free and open to the public. It was co-sponsored by CancerCare, NCCAM, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
National Advisory Council for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NACCAM)–Seventeenth Meeting
June 4, 2004
Bethesda, MD
NCCAM's Advisory Council had its second meeting of 2004.
Share the Health
April 24, 2004
Silver Spring, MD
The Office of Community Liaison at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) presented the fifth annual health and fitness exposition, Share the Health, as part of NIH's commitment to community outreach. It included interactive seminars, workshops, and activities on health promotion, disease prevention, and physical fitness. Leading NIH physicians and scientists shared their knowledge by presenting a series of lively discussions, interactive workshops, and hands-on activities that related to a variety of health topics. This event was free and open to the public.
NCCAM Strategic Planning Stakeholder Forums
March 22, 2004 (Bethesda, MD)
April 19, 2004 (Seattle, WA)
The public was invited to contribute ideas regarding strategic planning at either of these meetings.
From Molecules to Mind:
Stress, Individual Differences, and the Social Environment
March 31, 2004
Distinguished Lectures in the Science of Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Bruce McEwen, Ph.D.
Bethesda, MD
Dr. McEwen discussed the important role that the endocrine and nervous systems play in the communication between the brain and the rest of the body and how common, low levels of stress over time, such as stress caused by the events of everyday life, can affect health. Dr. McEwen also discussed the impact of stress on the immune system and regions of the brain involved in fear and cognitive function.
Trans-NIH Sleep Research Coordinating Committee:
Frontiers of Knowledge in Sleep & Sleep Disorders
March 29–30, 2004
Bethesda, MD
The National Sleep Conference was an innovative two-day program that assembled health care providers, public health and education experts, policy makers, patient advocacy organizations, sleep medicine specialists, and other stakeholders. The Conference addressed how information about sleep and sleep disorders can translate into cost-effective, comprehensive, and broadly-applied strategies to improve all aspects of sleep-related health care.
Carnitine: The Science Behind a Conditionally Essential Nutrient
March 25–26, 2004
Bethesda, MD
This conference addressed the following topics related to Carnitine:
- Basic physiology and pharmacology
- Carnitine replacement in primary and secondary carnitine deficiency syndromes
- Carnitine supplementation in exercise, cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, HIV infection, aging, cancer, and infertility.
The conference was sponsored by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the Office of Dietary Supplements.
NCCAM Strategic Planning Stakeholder Forum
March 22, 2004
Bethesda, MD
Nearly 150 people attended the first National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Strategic Planning Stakeholder Forum on March 22, 2004 in Bethesda, Maryland. The agenda was packed, with more than 40 people providing testimony.
National Advisory Council for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NACCAM)—Sixteenth Meeting
January 30, 2004
Rockville, MD
NCCAM's Advisory Council had its first meeting of 2004.
Assessing and Improving Measures of Hot Flashes—Meeting Summary
January 20, 2004
Bethesda, MD
NCCAM convened a trans-NIH workshop on assessing measurements of hot flashes with a group of scientists, broadly ranging in disciplines.
2003
NIH Medicine for the Public Lecture—Complementary and Alternative Medicine: From Promises to Proof
October 28, 2003 at 7 p.m.
Bethesda, MD (NIH, Building 10, Masur Auditorium)
Arthritis, depression, menopause, cancer—for millions of Americans, these and other health concerns are not being adequately addressed through conventional medicine. Many are turning outside the medical mainstream to approaches that embrace the whole person—mind, body and spirit. In fact, Americans spend more money for complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM, than for all other health care needs. From acupuncture to massage therapy to dietary supplements, CAM approaches are affordable and accessible, but largely untested. NCCAM's Director, Dr. Stephen Straus, discussed current research on which CAM practices work, why and how they work and whether they are safe.
Herbal Medicine: Ancient Practice Meets Modern Science
October 22, 2003
Distinguished Lectures in the Science of Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Norman R. Farnsworth, Ph.D.
Dr. Farnsworth is a pioneer in the field of medicinal plants research and herbal medicines. He will discuss the challenges in this research, including plant collection and identification, isolation of active ingredients, understanding how botanicals work, and whether they are safe and effective.
Live Web Chat on CAM and Cancer
October 7, 2003
NCCAM partnered with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and CancerCare to host a Web chat on ASCO's consumer Web site, People Living With Cancer (plwc.org). During this 1-hour session, NCCAM's Director, Dr. Stephen E. Straus, addressed topics related to the use of CAM in treating cancer. He also discussed how to find reliable information on CAM.
Transcript of the questions and answers
Grantsmanship Workshop for Latin American and Caribbean Scientists
July 1–3, 2003
Cuernavaca, Mexico
Participants learned how to compete more effectively for NIH funding. The format was an interactive "how to" workshop. Experts addressed issues such as developing an NIH grant proposal, devising budgets, and the peer review process. The meeting was co-sponsored by NCCAM, Fogarty International Center, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Office of Dietary Supplements, the Mexican Council of Science and Technology, and the Mexican National Institute of Public Health.
Free Radicals: The Pros and Cons of Antioxidants
June 26–27, 2003
Bethesda, MD
The workshop was co-sponsored by NCCAM, the National Cancer Institute, the Office of Dietary Supplements, the American Institute for Cancer Research, and the American Society for Nutritional Sciences. This workshop summarized the current understanding of, and identified major gaps in our knowledge about, the role of antioxidants in cancer prevention and tumor biology, and their interactions with conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Nutrition/Aging Conference
June 6–9, 2003
Baltimore, MD
This conference on Nutritional Modulation of Aging and Age-Related Diseases was co-sponsored by NCCAM and the National Institute on Aging.
Hypnosis and Group Support in Medical Care: Altering Perception and Reality
May 6, 2003
Distinguished Lectures in the Science of Complementary and Alternative Medicine
David Spiegel, M.D.
David Spiegel presented the mind/body interactions in medicine. He is a leader in the field of psychosomatic research treatment and development, Dr. Spiegel's particular interest is the field of psychoneuroendocrinology/oncology, examining the relationship of stress and support to cancer survival time. He has also had a long interest in the use of hypnosis and treatment for medical symptoms and treatment effects.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine, from Acupuncture to Yoga
April 21–June 2, 2003
Washington, DC
This enlightening course offered through the Smithsonian Resident Associate Program featured scientists and researchers directly involved in evaluating various complementary and alternative medicine practices and products.
Comprehensive Cancer Care 2003
April 9–13, 2003
Washington, DC
This conference will bring those who are conducting research on complementary, alternative and integrative therapies for cancer together with oncologists to evaluate promising therapies and the possibilities for integration into comprehensive cancer care.
Dietary Supplement Use in the Elderly
January 14–15, 2003
Bethesda, MD
The National Institute on Aging and the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements held a 2-day conference/workshop to present current data/research about dietary supplement use by the elderly in both U.S. and international populations. The goals of the conference were to develop a focused research program in this area.
CAM Lecture at the Library of Congress
January 14, 2003
Washington, D.C.
Dr. Stephen E. Straus, NCCAM Director, spoke on complementary and alternative medicine at the Library of Congress. The lecture, entitled, "From Promises to Proof: Studying Complementary and Alternative Medicine," was free and open to the public. A cybercast will be available on the Library of Congress Web site in the coming weeks.
2002
Indigenous Healing Traditions of the Americas: Paths to a New Medicine
November 14–17, 2002
Washington, D.C.
NCCAM co-sponsored this conference that brought attention and recognition to the many contributions that indigenous health knowledge has made to conventional Western medicine. This event highlighted the effectiveness and value of many traditional healing practices through a presentation of case-studies.
The Global Transformation of Health Care:
Cultural and Ethical Challenges to Medicine
November 7, 2002
Distinguished Lectures in the Science of Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Arthur Kleinman, M.D.
Bethesda, MD
Arthur Kleinman discussed complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a global and evolutionary context, examining the impact that CAM has had on biomedicine and vice versa, as both have achieved global reach. His talk also focused on changing public attitudes toward CAM and its implications for the practice of medicine, health research and health care.
Enhancing the Evidence Base for Traditional Chinese Medicine—
Practice Methodology and Grantsmanship
October 30–31, 2002
Hong Kong, China
NCCAM co-sponsored this workshop with the University of Maryland and the Health and Welfare Bureau, Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The workshop brought together international experts to address a range of topical issues in research methodologies involving TCM and grantsmanship.
Menopausal Hormone Therapy
October 23–24, 2002
Bethesda, MD
The purpose of this meeting was to review the current available scientific information and ongoing clinical trials regarding menopausal combination hormone therapy (HT/HRT) in the United States. The meeting provided information about what recent study results mean for women who are taking menopausal combination hormones and what alternatives are available for specific conditions. This was a public meeting that brought together researchers, health care practitioners, knowledgeable groups and consumers.
Nutritional Genomics and Proteomics in Cancer Prevention
September 5–6, 2002
Bethesda, MD
The purpose of this meeting was to highlight the molecular basis by which nutrients influence cancer prevention and provide examples for genomic/proteomic approaches to the science of nutrition.
Mechanistic Studies of Cardiovascular Effects of Botanicals
August 22–23, 2002
Bethesda, MD
The goal of this NIH workshop was to assess the current state of research on the mechanisms of action responsible for the cardiovascular effect of several widely-used herbal dietary supplements, including garlic, ginkgo, hawthorn and phytoestrogens and the evidence for their clinical efficacy. It was also the intent of this workshop to promote exchange of information, to identify opportunities, and to foster collaboration among scientists who are interested in using botanicals in cardiovascular research.
Alternative to What? Complementary to Whom?
On Some Aspects of Medicine's Scientific Identity
July 18, 2002
Distinguished Lectures in the Science of Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Charles Rosenberg, Ph.D.
Bethesda, MD
Dr. Rosenberg's presentation provided a historical context of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and examine the evolution of medicine. Rosenberg is best known for his work Cholera Years: The United States in 1832, 1849, and 1866 and has written extensively on the history or medicine and science.
NIH State-of-the-Science Conference on Symptom Management in Cancer: Pain, Depression and Fatigue
July 15–17, 2002
Bethesda, MD
NCCAM co-sponsored this conference that brought together national experts to address key questions regarding the occurrence, assessment, and treatment of pain, depression, and fatigue in cancer patients. Participants also discussed barriers to effective treatments and directions for future research.
Management of Hepatitis C: 2002
June 10–12, 2002
Bethesda, MD
This Consensus Development Conference examined the current state of knowledge regarding the management of hepatitis C and identified directions for future research. During the first day-and-a-half of the conference, experts presented the latest hepatitis C research findings to an independent non-Federal panel. After weighing all of the scientific evidence, the panel will draft a consensus statement.
Perspectives on Conjugated Linoleic Acid Research
May 15–16, 2002
Bethesda, MD
This conference provided an overview of the current research on Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) and future directions.
Dietary Supplements Analytical Methods Workshop
April 18, 2002
Bethesda, MD
This interactive workshop was designed to raise the level of understanding of the importance of appropriately selecting, validating, and documenting analytical methods for industrial, basic and clinical research, safety, compliance, and enforcement purposes.
International Scientific Conference on Complementary, Alternative & Integrative Medicine Research
April 12–14, 2002
Boston, MA
This conference showcased the best examples of ongoing scientific research involving complementary, alternative and integrative medical therapies. The meeting fostered interdisciplinary, inter-institutional and international collaboration. Awards for the best presentations in each major category were presented.
NCCAM Town Meeting
March 19, 2002
Portland, OR
NCCAM and two NCCAM-supported research centers in Portland co-sponsored NCCAM's third town meeting on CAM research. National and local speakers discussed current developments in CAM research. NCCAM Director Stephen E. Straus, M.D., provided an overview of NCCAM's mission, research, and accomplishments. Experts gave presentations on the complementary and alternative medicine disciplines of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and chiropractic. There were two audience question and answer sessions. The event was free and open to the public.
Overview of CAM and Series Announcement
March 11, 2002
Distinguished Lectures in the Science of Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Stephen E. Straus, M.D.
Stephen E. Straus, M.D., the first director of NCCAM, delivered an NIH Director's Lecture on "Exploring the Scientific Basis of Complementary and Alternative Medicine." He provided an overview of CAM as a basis for understanding the field in the United States. Dr. Straus also announced the July 25, 2002, launch of the Distinguished Lectures in the Science of Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
American Association for the Advancement of Science Symposium: The Science Underlying Complementary and Alternative Medicine
February 17, 2002
Boston, MA
This symposium took place at the American Association for the Advancement of Science's annual meeting. It explored the breadth of CAM practices, their current appeal, and the strategy by which the NIH is bringing tools of exacting science to bear on some of the more important and most fascinating observations in the field.
Acupuncture Research: Examples of the State of the Science from Bench to Bedside
January 17, 2002
Bethesda, MD
National Cancer Institute's Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine (OCCAM) hosted the first session in its Invited Speakers Series on CAM research. A panel of international experts in acupuncture research presented data from animal studies as well as some of the latest in clinical work. A reception following these presentations provided the opportunity for NIH investigators to exchange ideas and foster future collaborations.
The Science and Policy of Performance-Enhancing Products
January 8–9, 2002
Bethesda, MD
The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements and the Council for Responsible Nutrition examined the available scientific evidence that addresses the safety and efficacy of performance-enhancing products (PEP) and assessed policy concerns related to their use.
2001
Interventions for Metabolic and Endocrine Complications of HIV/AIDS in Drug Abusers
November 26–27, 2001
Bethesda, MD
Participants discussed conventional and alternative strategies (i.e.., exercise, dietary supplements, herbal medicine) for the management of metabolic and endocrine disorders in drug abusers with AIDS. This scientific workshop provided NIH and others direction for future research in this area.
Singapore Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Symposium 2001 and US NIH NCCAM Workshop on Clinical Research Methodology and Grantsmanship
November 13–14, 2001
Singapore
This research symposium showcased the variety of traditional chinese medicine (TCM) research activities in Singapore and around the region. The workshop provided practical guidance for applying for research grants from the US National Institutes of Health.
Comprehensive Cancer Care 2001: Integrating Complementary and Alternative Therapies
October 19–21, 2001
Arlington, VA
This conference was held to facilitate a dialogue about research, education and service delivery among complementary and alternative medicine practitioners and researchers, oncologists and other health professionals, patient advocates, patients, and their families.
Exploring Opportunities for Collaboration with Industry
May 14, 2001
Washington, D.C.
The NCCAM organized this colloquium to begin a dialogue regarding how the NCCAM and industry can work together to evaluate definitively CAM therapeutic products for composition, safety and efficacy.
Integrative Medicine 2001—The Oncologist's Role
May 11, 2001
San Francisco, CA
This joint educational symposium was sponsored by NCCAM, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and the American Cancer Society. The goal was to assist oncologists in understanding the role of complementary and alternative medicine therapies in cancer care.
Science of Mind-Body Interactions: An Exploration of Integrative Mechanisms
March 26–28, 2001
NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
Leading researchers from the behavioral and social sciences, biomedicine and cognitive science explored mind-body connections and discussed groundbreaking interdisciplinary research.
Town Meeting on Complementary and Alternative Medicine
March 6, 2001
Tucson, Arizona
Hosted by the NCCAM and the Steele Memorial Children's Research Center, national and local experts spoke about current developments in CAM research.
Dietary Supplement Use in Children: Who, What, Why, and Where Do We Go from Here?
February 12–13, 2001
NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
The goal of this conference was to identify key gaps in our knowledge about factors influencing the use, justification and safety of dietary supplements in children, and to establish a realistic research agenda to address these gaps.
Integrated Medicine Conference: "Can alternative medicine be integrated into mainstream care?"
January 23–24, 2001
London, England
A ground-breaking two-day conference on complementary medicine was jointly organized by the UK's Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and the US National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). The aims of the conference were to underline the need for research and development in complementary medicine, following the recommendations of the UK's House of Lords Select Committee Report into Complementary Medicine.
2000
The Science of the Placebo: Toward an Interdisciplinary Research Agenda
November 19–21, 2000
NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
This trans-NIH/DDHHS meeting was co-organized by NCCAM, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and 19 other components of NIH and the Department of Health and Human Services.
To provide a scholarly assessment of the state-of-the-art, leading researchers were commissioned to write background papers and present them during the plenary session. In breakout sessions, participants developed recommendations for a future interdisciplinary research agenda related to further elucidating, accounting for, and developing clinical applications of the placebo effect.
CAM in Cardiovascular, Lung and Blood Research
June 12–13, 2000
NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
The goal of this workshop was to enhance the exchange of information and ideas between alternative medicine practitioners and scientists in cardiovascular, lung, and blood research and to foster collaborative research among these researchers. The workshop focused on five areas of research, including a historical and cultural perspective of CAM, methodological issues in clinical trials, herbal medicine, chelation therapy, mind/body (meditation) therapy, and acupuncture.
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