Scientific Areas of
Integrated Review Groups (IRGs)
For a listing
of the Scientific Review Administrator and membership roster for each study
section, click on the study section roster under the study section name within the
IRG shown below or go to the study section index (study
sections listed alphabetically) and click on the specified roster next to the
name of the study section.
Last
updated on
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Referral & Review |
Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience
IRG [BDCN]
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The Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience [BDCN]
IRG reviews grant applications that have neural disorders and/or injury of
the nervous system as their main focus. Investigations appropriate for
review in the BDCN IRG may include those using animal models of neural
injury or disease, investigations based on the study of specific patient
populations, or investigations focused on the development of
rehabilitative and therapeutic strategies. Specific areas of interest
include the investigation of traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, the
consequences of episodes of ischemia or hypoxia, the study of mental
disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and other neuropathies. These
specific areas of interest may be studied from the perspective of
neuroanatomical or neurophysiological alterations, changes in
neurotransmitter or neurotrophin function or metabolism, the genetic,
cellular, or molecular basis of alterations induced by disease or injury,
the influence or involvement of the immune or vascular systems in a neural
disease process or response, and the neurological basis of addictive,
cognitive, behavioral, and emotional disorders. In addition to this IRG, the Molecular, Cellular, and
Developmental Neuroscience [MDCN] and Integrative, Functional, and
Cognitive Neuroscience [IFCN] IRGs within CSR focus on the review of
neuroscience-related applications, and the Biobehavioral and Behavioral
Processes [BBBP] IRG also has some shared interests with the BDCN IRG.
Please see the descriptions and shared interest statements of these IRGs
for a complete description of their review venues. The following Study Sections are included within the BDCN IRG: Clinical Neuroscience and Disease Study Section [CND]
Formerly BDCN-1 The Clinical Neuroscience and Disease [CND] Study
Section addresses anatomical, cellular and functional basis of neural
disease and injury across the life span. Emphasis is on the neural
substrate, functional consequences [cognitive, sensory/motor, behavioral,
pathophysiological], rehabilitation, and the development of therapeutic
strategies. Relevant disorders include stroke/ischemia, neurodegenerative
diseases, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury,
dystonia/ataxia, and neuropathies. This Study Section considers
patient-oriented research and animal models. Specific
areas covered by CND:
·
Anatomical, neuropathological, neuroimaging, electrophysiological,
functional mapping, and autopsy studies to monitor the onset, progression and
treatment of brain and spinal cord disease and injury; therapeutic approaches
and clinical studies; cerebral blood flow and metabolism in the context of clinical
neuroimaging ·
Functional and anatomical changes in sensory and motor systems
associated with the initiation, progression, and treatment of neural
disorders and injury ·
Changes in learning, memory, language, attention, behavior, and other
functional domains that are consequences of disease and injury; strategies
for therapeutic intervention ·
Cellular, anatomical, and systems-based studies of changes in the
neural substrate and function of brain and spinal cord in response to disease
and injury ·
Recovery of function/rehabilitation; beneficial and compensatory
changes in the neural substrate in response to clinical interventions;
neurological and functional evaluation of neural prostheses,
electrical/magnetic stimulation, behavioral and pharmacological
interventions, and physical therapy ·
Evaluation of pharmacological, transplantational, surgical,
electrophysiological, physical or behavioral interventions to reduce loss,
enhance function, and facilitate recovery CND has the following shared interests within the BDCN
IRG: ·
Brain imaging studies that focus on specific neurotransmitter systems and
receptors should be reviewed in CNNT, while more general brain imaging
studies of neuropathological pathways and brain dysfunction should be
reviewed in CND. ·
CDIN reviews studies of the molecular and cellular basis of neural
disorders. CND reviews studies that focus on the neuroanatomical substrate
and functional consequences. CDIN may be more appropriate for studies of
gene, cell and tissue transplantation, especially if the focus is on
molecular and cellular mechanisms. ·
CNBT reviews applications focused on immune, inflammatory and vascular
mechanisms, while CND reviews the anatomical and functional basis of neural
disorders and injury, including functional imaging studies. ·
DBD reviews studies of neurodevelopmental disorders, especially when
the focus is on unique aspects of the developing nervous system.
Neuroanatomical and functional disease processes that are in common between
children and adults may be reviewed in CND. ·
While CND may review applications on dementias, NPAS has particular
expertise to review studies of addictive, behavioral, cognitive and emotional
disorders, in addition to the dementias. CND has the following shared interests outside the
BDCN IRG: ·
With the Genes, Genomes
and Genetics [GGG] IRG: The GGG IRG has shared
interests with CND with respect to an interest in diseases of the nervous
system. However, when the focus is
primarily on molecular genetic approaches, large-scale gene/genomic/genetic
studies, gene discovery using complex or novel
technologies, the application may be reviewed in the GGG IRG. Applications that focus primarily on the
anatomical, functional and pathologic basis of the neural disorder or injury may
be reviewed in CND. ·
With the Biology of Development and Aging [BDA] IRG:
Studies with a focus on multiple system manifestations of age-related
neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease may be reviewed within the
BDA IRG, while functional and neuroanatomical changes associated with these
diseases could be reviewed in CND. ·
With the Health of the
Population [HOP] IRG: Studies dealing with
descriptive and analytical epidemiologic aspects of various neurologic disorders including Alzheimer’s disease,
Parkinson’s disease, stroke and epilepsy may be reviewed with the HOP IRG,
while studies on the neural basis of these disorders could be reviewed within
CND. ·
With the Biobehavioral and
Behavioral Processes [BBBP] IRG: Studies
that focus primarily on behavior and behavioral approaches may be reviewed in
the BBBP IRG. Applications that focus mainly on the anatomical and functional
basis of the neural disorder or injury could be reviewed in CND. ·
With the Cardiovascular
Sciences [CVS] IRG: Studies dealing with
cerebral circulation and hemodynamics may be assigned to the CVS IRG, while those
focusing on cerebral blood flow and metabolism in the context of neuroimaging
for analysis of brain and spinal cord disease or injury or the functional
consequences of ischemia, hypoxia, stroke on brain or spinal cord function
could be assigned to CND. ·
With the Musculoskeletal,
Oral and Skin Sciences [MOSS] IRG: CND has shared interests
within the MOSS IRG with respect to research on recovery and rehabilitation.
While MOSS has broad expertise in physical therapy, physiology, and
non-neuronal systems, CND has particular expertise in the neural basis of
rehabilitation and recovery as well as disease that effect motor control
(e.g. Parkinson’s disease, ·
With the Surgical
Sciences, Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering [SBIB] IRG: Both CND and the SBIB IRG review
applications dealing with functional brain imaging; however, CND may review
those applications using imaging as a tool to study neurological disorders or
injury or their treatment. SBIB may review applications concerning the
development and evaluation of imaging procedures. SBIB is appropriate for studies with focus
on the development of imaging technology. However, where the proposed
research is more oriented toward the application of imaging techniques for
studying neurological disorders or injury or their treatment, CND may be a
better review locus. ·
With the Molecular,
Cellular, Developmental Neuroscience [MDCN] IRG: Both MDCN and CND share a common interest
in neurologic diseases. However, MDCN focuses largely on basic
cellular and molecular processes whereas, CND reviews applications related to
the cellular, anatomical and functional aspects these diseases. ·
With the Integrative,
Functional and Cognitive Neuroscience [IFCN] IRG:
Both IFCN and CND share common interests in disorders of learning and memory
and diseases that involve motor systems.
However, when the focus is to elucidate specific normal memory
processes or the neural substrates of motor function, then applications may
be assigned to IFCN. Applications that
focus largely on neurologic disorders and their
treatment may be reviewed within CND.
Clinical Neuroplasticity and Neurotransmitters Study
Section [CNNT] Formerly BDCN-2 The Clinical Neuroplasticity and Neurotransmitters
[CNNT] Study Section addresses the area of neural disease and injury
across the life span that focuses on neurotransmitter or neurotrophic
function including associated receptors. This includes studies of
plasticity, regeneration, and therapeutic strategies. Relevant disorders
include stroke/ischemia, neurodegenerative diseases, epilepsy, spinal cord
injury, traumatic brain injury, dystonia/ataxia, and neuropathies. Studies
primarily involve animal models although patient-oriented research may be
reviewed. Specific
areas covered by CNNT:
·
Neurotransmitter synthesis, regulation, release, degradation, and
inactivation; abnormalities of receptor number, distribution and function;
abnormalities of synaptic physiology; functional imaging of particular
neurotransmitter pathways; role of growth factors, neurotrophins, and
neurohormones ·
Pharmacological studies; diagnostics and therapeutic strategies
involving receptor agonists and antagonists; pharmacological effects on
synaptic physiology and second messenger pathways; neurotrophins and
neurohormones ·
Mechanisms of degeneration, plasticity and recovery; neuropathological
and compensatory changes in neurotransmitter function; role of trophic
factors; therapeutic interventions ·
Therapeutic approaches involving neurotransmitter function;pre-clinical
and clinical studies of drugs, gene therapy, cell and tissue transplantation,
including stem cells, and delivery across the blood-brain barrier. CNNT has the following shared interests within the
BDCN IRG: ·
CND reviews applications on the anatomical and functional basis of
neural disease and injury, while CNNT reviews applications on
neurotransmitter and receptor function. Imaging studies other than those
related to neurotransmitter function could be reviewed in CND. ·
CDIN reviews applications on the molecular and cellular basis of
neural disorders, including apoptosis, oxidative or general metabolic
mechanisms, protein and macromolecular metabolism other than
neurotransmitter-, neurotrophin- or neurohormone-related proteins. ·
CNBT reviews studies of neural disorders that focus on immune, inflammatory
and vascular mechanisms. ·
DBD reviews studies of neurodevelopmental disorders, especially when
the focus is on unique aspects of the developing nervous system.
Neurotransmitter and receptor disease processes that are in common between
children and adults may be reviewed in CNNT. ·
NPAS has particular expertise to review studies of addictive,
behavioral, cognitive and emotional disorders. CNNT has the following shared interests outside the
BDCN IRG: ·
With the Genes, Genomes
and Genetics [GGG] IRG: The GGG IRG has shared
interests with CNNT with respect to an interest in diseases of the nervous
system. However, when the focus is
primarily on molecular genetic approaches, large-scale gene/genomic/genetic
studies, gene discovery using complex or novel
technologies, the application could be reviewed in the GGG IRG. Applications that focus primarily on trophic, neurotransmitter and receptor function in the
neural disorder or injury could be reviewed in CNNT. ·
With the Health of the
Population [HOP] IRG: Studies dealing with
descriptive and analytical epidemiologic aspects of various neurologic disorders including Alzheimer’s disease,
Parkinson’s disease, stroke and epilepsy may be reviewed within the HOP IRG,
while applications that focus primarily on trophic,
neurotransmitter and receptor function in the neural disorder or injury could
be reviewed in CNNT. ·
With the Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes [BBBP] IRG:
Studies where the primary focus is on behavior and behavioral approaches may
be reviewed in BBBP IRG. Applications that focus mainly on neurotransmitter
and receptor function in the neural disorder or injury may be reviewed in
CNNT. ·
With the Immunology [IMM]
IRG: Studies focusing on
organ-specific aspects of the physiology and pathology of transplantation could
be reviewed within the IMM IRG, while studies dealing with transplantation of
tissue into the brain as a therapeutic tool could be reviewed within CNNT. ·
With the Hematology
[HEME] IRG: Studies that focus on hematopoiesis, blood cells and related diseases could be
assigned to the HEME IRG. Applications
that focus on the use of hematopoietic stem cells
as therapeutic intervention following brain and spinal cord injury could be
referred to CNNT. ·
With the Endocrinology,
Metabolism, Nutrition and Reproductive Sciences [EMNR] IRG:
Studies that focus on the neuroendrocrine control of reproduction,
gonadotropin releasing hormones, pituitary hypothalamic connections and
pituitary gonadal interactions could be assigned to the EMNR IRG, while those
applications focusing on the effects of neurodegenerative disease and brain
injury on neuroendrocrine function could be reviewed within CNNT. ·
With the Musculoskeletal,
Oral and Skin Sciences [MOSS] IRG: CNNT has shared
interests with the MOSS IRG with respect to research on recovery and
rehabilitation following injury to the CNS.
While MOSS has broad expertise in physical therapy, physiology, and
non-neuronal systems, CNNT has particular expertise in the neural basis of
rehabilitation and recovery particularly following spinal cord injury. ·
With the Renal and Urological Sciences [RUS]
IRG:
Studies focusing on central nervous systems regulation of urological
function could be assigned to the RUS IRG, while applications dealing with
bladder problems secondary to spinal cord injury may be assigned to
CNNT. ·
With the Surgical Sciences, Biomedical Imaging and
Bioengineering [SBIB] IRG: The SBIB IRG
may review
studies with focus on the development of imaging technology. However,
where the proposed research is more oriented toward the application of
imaging techniques for studying neurological disorders or injury or their
treatment, CNNT may be more appropriate. Both CNNT and the SBIB IRG may review
applications dealing with functional brain imaging; however, CNNT may be
more appropriate to review those applications using imaging as a tool to
study neurological disorders or injury or their treatment. SBIB may be
more appropriate to review applications concerning the development and
evaluation of imaging procedures. ·
With the Molecular, Cellular and Developmental
Neuroscience [MDCN] IRG:
The MDCN IRG reviews applications on the basic mechanisms of
neurotransmitter and receptor function, and review applications more
focused on fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms. Studies of the
fundamental role of neurotransmitters and related molecules in development
and plasticity could be reviewed in the MDCN IRG, while applications
focusing on trophic,
neurotransmitter and receptor function in the neural disorder or injury
could be reviewed in CNNT. In addition, studies using stem cells
where the primary goal is to advance understanding of neural induction,
specification, or differentiation are appropriate for the MDCN IRG. Studies
focused primarily on restorative/therapeutic outcome may be appropriate
for review within CNNT. ·
With the Integrative, Functional and Cognitive
Neuroscience [IFCN] IRG:
In general, BDCN study sections review applications relating to abnormal
and pathological states, while the IFCN IRG reviews normal aspects of
brain function.
For example, while
IFCN and CNNT share common interests in disorders of learning and
memory and diseases that involve motor systems, if the focus is to
elucidate specific normal memory processes or the neural substrates of
motor function, then applications may be assigned to IFCN. Applications
that focus primarily on trophic, neurotransmitter and receptor
function in the neural disorder or injury may be reviewed in CNNT. Cell Death and Injury in Neurodegeneration Study
Section [CDIN] Formerly BDCN-3 The Cell Death and Injury in Neurodegeneration [CDIN]
Study Section addresses the genetic, molecular, and cellular basis of
neural disorders and injury across the life span. This includes studies of
neuronal cell death and protein and macromolecular function in
neurodegenerative disease. Relevant disorders include stroke/ischemia,
neurodegenerative diseases, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury,
dystonia/ataxia, and neuropathies. This Study Section can review studies
of in vitro systems, animal models, and to a lesser extent
patient-oriented research. Specific areas covered by CDIN:
·
Pathology and clinical interventions; molecular,
cellular, and neurochemical changes in human brain and spinal cord
associated with neurodegeneration in disease or injury; analysis of
autopsy material; therapeutic approaches and clinical trials to prevent or
treat neuropathological damage, including gene therapy and tissue and cell
transplantation ·
Tissue culture and animal models of neurodegeneration
or trauma; generation of relevant transgenic models; models to evaluate
treatments to limit or prevent cell injury and death ·
Metabolic abnormalities in degeneration and injury;
neuron viability; oxidative and free radical metabolism; mitochondrial
function; glial metabolism; secondary inflammation; interaction of
genetics, environment, drugs, metabolites, and age on cell dysfunction and
neuropathology. ·
Abnormal protein and macromolecular metabolism and
function; synthesis, assembly, processing, trafficking,
structure/function, regulation, and degradation of proteins and other
macromolecules implicated in neurodegenerative diseases and injury. ·
Mechanisms of cell degeneration; neurotoxicity and
mechanisms of cell death in neurodegenerative diseases; role of
intracellular Ca++, glutamate excitotoxicity, metals, oxidative stress and
free radicals, amyloid and paired helical filaments. ·
Genetic basis of neurological disorders;
identification and expression of genes associated with neurological
disorders, genomic screening, and linkage analysis CDIN has the following shared interests within the
BDCN IRG:
·
CND reviews the anatomical and functional basis of
neural disease and injury, while CDIN reviews studies at the cellular and
molecular level. CDIN may be more appropriate for studies of gene, cell
and tissue transplantation, especially if the focus is on molecular and
cellular mechanisms. ·
CNNT reviews applications that focus primarily on the
neurotransmitter abnormalities, while CDIN may be more appropriate for
other aspects of neurochemistry and cell physiology. ·
CNBT reviews studies of neural disorders and injury
that focus on immune, inflammatory and vascular mechanisms, although CDIN
could be more appropriate for studies where inflammation is secondary to
some other pathophysiological process. ·
DBD reviews studies of neurodevelopmental disorders,
especially when the focus is on unique aspects of the developing nervous
system. Molecular and cellular processes that are in common between
children and adults may be reviewed in CDIN. ·
NPAS has particular expertise to review studies of
addictive, behavioral, cognitive and emotional disorders. CDIN has the following shared interests outside the
BDCN IRG:
·
With the Cell Biology [CB] IRG:
Studies focusing on basic cell processes or an emerging cell biologic
approach may be assigned to the CB IRG, while studies on the cellular
mechanism of neurodegenerative diseases may be assigned to CDIN. ·
With the Genes, Genomes and Genetics [GGG]
IRG:
The GGG IRG has shared interests with CDIN with respect to an interest in
diseases of the nervous system. However, when the focus is primarily on
molecular genetic approaches, large-scale gene/genomic/genetic studies,
gene discovery using complex
or novel technologies, the application could be assigned to the GGG IRG.
CDIN may
be more appropriate for studies where the primary focus is on cellular and
molecular pathophysiology
within the nervous system. In addition, studies of genomic screening
and linkage analysis could be reviewed in the GGG IRG. However, if
the primary focus is on neurological mechanisms and outcomes, then CDIN
may be more appropriate. ·
With the Biology of Development and Aging [BDA]
IRG:
Studies with a focus on multiple system manifestations of age-related
neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease could be reviewed within
the BDA IRG, while cellular and molecular changes associated with these
diseases could be reviewed in CDIN. ·
With the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies
[BST] IRG:
Applications with a focus on the design, development, and introduction of
technology for gene and drug delivery in the nervous system could be
assigned to the BST IRG, while applications focused on the mechanisms and
functional implications associated with gene delivery into the central
nervous system may be assigned to CDIN. ·
With the Health of the Population [HOP]
IRG:
Studies dealing with descriptive and analytical epidemiologic aspects of
various neurologic
disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke and
epilepsy may be reviewed within the HOP IRG, while applications that focus
primarily on the cellular and molecular aspects of these disease may be
reviewed in CDIN. ·
With the Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes [BBBP]
IRG:
Studies where the primary focus is on behavior and behavioral approaches
could be reviewed in BBBP IRG. Applications that focus mainly on the
genetic, molecular, or cellular functional basis of the neural disorder or
injury could be reviewed in CDIN. ·
With the Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS]
IRG:
Studies dealing with cerebral circulation and hemodynamics may be assigned
to the CVS IRG, while those focusing on cerebral blood flow and the
cellular and molecular consequences of ischemia, hypoxia, stroke on brain
or spinal cord function could be assigned to CDIN. · With the Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neuroscience [MDCN] IRG |