Funding News - Applications Sought for Specialized Programs of Translational Research in Acute Stroke

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) invites grant applications for specialized programs of translational research in acute stroke (SPOTRIAS).*

Despite enormous research efforts—including many clinical trials—tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) remains the only FDA-approved treatment for acute ischemic stroke. The requirement for administration of tPA within three hours of stroke onset has proven to be a major obstacle to its widespread use. Dramatic improvements in stroke outcomes could be achieved by reducing the time necessary to respond to and diagnose stroke and by identifying new interventions that could be safely and expeditiously administered to a wider range of patients. The objective of SPOTRIAS is to ease translation of basic research findings into clinical practice so stroke patients are evaluated and treated very rapidly after the onset of their symptoms.

Projects encouraged within SPOTRIAS include: phase I and II studies to evaluate novel stroke treatments; development and testing of innovative systems for delivery of emergency medical services, and of clinical tools useful for rapid stroke treatment; tests of potential biomarkers, surrogate outcomes, and clinical stroke scales useful in acute stroke research; development and evaluation of new treatments and practices within critical care units for patients immediately after initial emergency department management; tests of strategies for rehabilitation of acute stroke patients; and long-term quality-of-life research for patients treated early for acute stroke.

For more information, potential applicants should contact Dr. Scott Janis, Clinical Research Project Manager, Clinical Trials Group, NINDS, Neuroscience Center, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 2191, Bethesda, MD 20892; telephone: 301-496-9135; fax: 301-480-1080; e-mail: sj151t@nih.gov.

*For a more detailed description of this program announcement, please visit the NIH web site at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-05-084.html.