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NIDA Home > Publications > NIDA Notes > Vol. 21, No. 6 > Director's Perspective |
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Neuroscience Blueprint Promotes Efficiency, Synergy |
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Director's Perspective
Vol. 21, No. 6 (June 2008) |
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![]() By NIDA Director, NORA D. VOLKOW, M.D. In 2004, NIDA and 15 other NIH Institutes convened to address a challenge posed, in a sense, by an embarrassment of riches. In recent decades, neuroscientists had developed powerful new tools and techniques that yielded extraordinary insights into the working of the brain. The potential for future discoveries appeared limitless. However, without an overarching plan to assimilate, coordinate, and disseminate this burgeoning wealth of knowledge in an organized, coherent way, there was a risk that the resources could be wasted and progress slowed by inefficient or duplicative efforts. The NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research is that plan. It provides a knowledge- and resource-sharing system for NIH-funded neuroscientists, allowing them access to an extraordinary array of data, advanced research tools, and technical assistance. More than 125 neuroscience program directors and staff contribute to the Blueprint's projects and initiatives. The Blueprint consortium assesses the field's needs and sets annual goals. In 2005 and 2006, it concentrated on strengthening resources applicable across broad areas of neuroscience research, including animal models, informatics, gene and protein expression, neuroimaging, and behavioral assessments used in clinical research. From this focus emerged a variety of resources, all of which are available to all NIH researchers on the Blueprint Web site (neuroscienceblueprint.nih.gov). Among many other assets, researchers can find:
In 2007, the Blueprint consortium initiated a 3-year plan to develop and share research tools in neurodegeneration, neurodevelopment, and neuroplasticity. NIDA and the National Institute of Mental Health are leading the planning for the 2009 neuroplasticity initiative, which aims to accelerate advances in the understanding of how brain cells adapt to experience by forming new neural circuits. We anticipate that it will provide a wealth of insights into how the healthy brain grows and learns, as well as how it changes when affected by diseases such as drug addiction.
Volume 21, Number 6 (June 2008) |
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