GENERAL STATEMENT
This study section reviews applications relating to functional aspects of neuroanatomical, sensory/motor and cognitive systems. Emphasis is on the neuroanatomical/structural basis and functional (cognitive, sensory/motor, electrophysiological, and cerebral metabolic) consequences of various diseases, disorders and injuries, including of neurodegenerative diseases, stroke/ischemia, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, dystonia/ataxia, and neuropathies. Also included are animal models of these disorders.
I. Functional circuits and localization of function includes localization of the structural and functional bases and consequences of these disorders using neuroanatomical, neuropathological, neuroimaging, and electrophysiological methods. For example, studies could involve mapping functional circuits in the brain and spinal cord, or using the localization of structure/function for purposes of assessing, diagnosing, and monitoring onset, extent, and progression of the brain and spinal cord changes in these disorders.
II. Sensory and motor function and control includes studies on the evaluation of the sensory and motor mechanisms, control, and changes associated with the development and progression of these disorders.
III. Cerebral blood flow and metabolic states includes studies of cerebral blood flow and dynamics, cerebral blood volume, and tissue perfusion using neuroimaging and other methodologies.
IV. Cognitive function and attention includes studies of memory, attention, thinking, language and other cognitive functions in evaluating the detection, progression, and consequences and in assessing clinical-anatomical/pathological correlations in these disorders. Studies use a variety of techniques such as neuropsychology, neuroimaging, and electrophysiology.
V. Functional and structural reorganization of brain and spinal cord involves studies directed toward understanding the cellular/anatomical aspects and functional consequences of reorganization of the brain and spinal cord following various insults, injuries, and consequences of these disorders.
VI. Recovery of function/rehabilitation includes studies directed at facilitating the recovery of functional abilities using methods such as functional magnetic, electrical, and neuromuscular stimulation as well as other physiological, physical, pharmacological, or behavioral techniques.
VII. Neural prostheses involves studies directed toward the development of prostheses to facilitate functions (e.g. sensory and motor) lost or reduced as the result of injury, insult, or consequences of these disorders.
VIII. Clinical trials of various types of pharmacological, physiological, physical, or behavioral interventions to facilitate rehabilitation and functional recovery in these disorders.
BDCN-2 (Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience 2). BDCN-2 reviews applications having to do with neurotransmitter-based imaging and neurotransmitter-based therapies. Other imaging studies of brain function should be reviewed in BDCN-1.
BDCN- 3 (Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience 3). BDCN-3 reviews molecular studies of stroke and ischemia. Studies on stroke and ischemia related to the monitoring of effects and models of recovery should be reviewed in BDCN-1.
CN-1 and -2 (Cognitive Neuroscience 1 and 2). These study sections generally review non-disease applications.
IFN-4 (Integrative and Functional Neuroscience 4). In general, applications reviewed by the Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience Study Sections focus on diseases and pathological processes, while those reviewed by IFN-4 focus on sensory systems per se.
IFN-5 (Integrative and Functional Neuroscience 5). In general Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience Study Sections focus on diseases and pathological processes, while IFN-5 reviews applications dealing normal sensory/motor function.
HUD-2 and -3 (Human Development and Aging 3 and 4). Behavioral aspects of brain disorders in children or adults and the behavioral consequences of various diseased, disorders and injuries are reviewed in the Human Development and Aging Study Sections.
Areas of technical competency of this committee include: neuroanatomy/neuropathology, functional and structural imaging, electrophysiology, motor physiology, sensory physiology,. clinical neurology, neuropathology,. neuropsychology, neurosurgery, rehabilitation medicine, and biostatistics
GENERAL STATEMENT
This study section reviews applications concerned with disorders of neurotransmitter or neurotrophic function and with the molecular genetics or genomic analysis of diseases of the nervous system. Examples include some aspects of Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, stroke and ischemia, and trauma of the brain and spinal cord,
I. Disorders involving neurotransmitter synthesis, release, degradation, inactivation, transporters, receptors, second messengers; including studies of relevant drug agonists/antagonists and drug metabolism, synaptic physiology, functional imaging based on neurotransmitter mechanisms. Examples include the role of glutamate and Gaba mechanisms in epilepsy; Gaba and dopamine in Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other movement disorders, as well as PET and other imaging of neurotransmitter-related receptors and other proteins to localize dysfunctional areas.
II. Mechanisms of plasticity involved in neuropathological changes, (including e.g., dystonias, dysphasias, kindling and epilepsy.)
III. Studies of regeneration and restoration of function following ischemic, traumatic or other damage to the nervous system, including the role of growth factors, neurotrophins, and neurohormones.
IV. Genomic screening, linkage analysis, sequence analysis and expression of genes associated with heritable disorders. Use of transgenic animal models to explore neurotransmitter-based disease mechanisms or regeneration or restoration of function following stroke or trauma.
V. Therapeutic pharmacology and diagnostics based on neurotransmitter, neurotrophic or neurohormonal function, both preclinical and clinical.
VI. Therapeutic approaches based on gene therapy, cell and tissue transplantation, delivery across the blood-brain barrier, both preclinical and clinical.
BDCN-1 (Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience 1). Imaging studies other than those related to neurotransmitter function should be reviewed in BDCN-1. Studies of the role or function of known gene products involved in cell damage and death should be reviewed in BDCN-3.
BDCN-3 (Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience 3). Studies of disease-related neurotransmitter mechanisms should be reviewed in BDCN-2, while apoptotic or cell death mechanisms subsequently activated should be reviewed in BDCN-3. Oxidative or general metabolic mechanisms should be reviewed in BDCN-3 3. Protein metabolism and function other than neurotransmitter-, neurotrophin- or neurohormone-related proteins should be reviewed in BDCN-3.
BDCN-4 (Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience 4). Wound healing should be reviewed in BDCN-4: studies focused in neuronal regeneration should be reviewed in BDCN-2.
CMN-1 (Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience 1). Plasticity not involved in neuropathology should be reviewed in the CMN-1 or the Cognitive Neuroscience Study Sections.
CMN-3 and -4 (Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience 3 and 4). Studies of neurotransmitter function not directly associated with neuropathological disorders should be reviewed in CMN-3 and -4.
CMN-5 (Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience 5). Studies of basic mechanisms of gene expression or regulation should be reviewed in the CMN-5, but screening or linkage studies of heritable diseases of the nervous system should be reviewed in BDCN-2.
DN (Developmental Neuroscience). Actions of neurotrophins or neurohormones not involved directly in producing or alleviating neuropathology should be reviewed in the Developmental Neuroscience study sections or the Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience study sections.
HUD-2 and -3 (Human Development and Aging 3 and 4). Behavioral aspects of brain disorders in children or adults and the behavioral consequences of various diseased, disorders and injuries are reviewed in the Human Development and Aging Study Sections.
IFN-4 (Integrative and Functional Neuroscience 4). In general, applications reviewed by the Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience Study Sections focus on diseases and pathological processes, while those reviewed by IFN-4 focus on sensory systems per se.
IFN-5 (Integrative and Functional Neuroscience 5). In general Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience Study Sections focus on diseases and pathological processes, while IFN-5 reviews applications dealing normal sensory/motor function.
Areas of technical competency of this committee include: neurology, psychiatry, pharmacology, electrophysiology, cell biology/biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, use of transgenic animal models, and biostatistics.
GENERAL STATEMENT
This study section reviews applications on molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases and neuronal cell death, including synthesis, structure, processing, trafficking and degradation of proteins implicated in neurodegenerative disease; and cellular mechanisms resulting in neuronal cell death; Examples of neurodegenerative diseases include Alzheimer's, prion diseases, Huntington's, Parkinson's, Battens, epilepsy, and ALS. and in altered physiological states such as head injury, stroke/ischemia that result in cell death. The scope ranges from in vitro and in vivo models to human studies, including clinical trials. The expertise of this study section will range from molecular biology to clinical studies
I. Clinical Pathology and Clinical Trials. Studies of molecular changes in human brain underlying neurodegeneration, including neurodegenerative disease and physiological or traumatic injury to the CNS resulting in cell death; and clinical trials involving molecular approaches to preventing intracellular and extracellular changes resulting in cell death.
II. Tissue culture and animal models. Studies of tissue culture and animal models of neurodegeneration, CNS injury and stroke/ischemia, including transgenics. These would include study of effects of altering expression of mutated proteins causing particular neurodegenerative diseases; effects of aging on neuron viability, oxidative and free radical metabolism, mitochondrial function, glial metabolism and inflammation implicated in mechanisms of neurodegeneration; interaction of genetics, environment, drugs and age on cell dysfunction and death in context of these diseases; utilization of appropriate cell and whole animal models to study effects of treatments designed to limit or prevent cell injury and death on neuropathology, motor function and behavior characteristic of particular neurodegenerative diseases, CNS injury and stroke/ischemia.
III. Protein metabolism and function. Studies of regulation of synthesis, post-translational modification, conformation, protein-protein interaction, trafficking, degradation and function of proteins implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. These would include proteins such as amyloid precursor proteins and their amyloid products, presenilins, cytoskeletal proteins and apoE implicated in Alzheimer's disease; Huntingtin implicated in Huntington's disease; and superoxide dismutase implicated in ALS; as well as proteins involved in disease pathology such as those involved in synaptic loss or decreased energy metabolism in Alzheimer's disease.
IV. Mechanisms of cell death. Studies of neurotixicity and mechanisms of cell death implicated in neurodegenerative diseases including effects of MPTP, glutamate, metals, free radicals, increased intracellular Ca++ , amyloid and paired helical filaments; molecules implicated in apoptosis and cell- cycle disfunction such as BCL2, and protein kinases; immune system disregulation including effects of reactive microglia and astrocytes on neuronal viability; as well as inflammatory mechanisms and cytokine production.
BDCN-1 (Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience Study Section 1). BDCN-1 is more appropriate for studies on stroke and ischemia related to monitoring of effects and models of recovery. Molecular studies of stroke and ischemia are to be reviewed in BDCN-3.
BDCN-2 (Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience 2). BDCN-2 is more appropriate for studies of in vivo and in vitro models of neuron regeneration and plasticity, including those based on therapeutic (neurotransmitter) pharmacology. Applications should be reviewed by BDCN-3 if the focus is on neuronal cell death. This study section is also more appropriate for development of gene- and transplantation-based therapies. Transgenic studies where the emphasis is on the molecular, cell biological and anatomical effects of transgene expression related to specific diseases should be reviewed by BDCN-3, as should studies to determine the effects of gene- and transplantation-based therapies in animal models of neurodegenerative disease and brain injury.
BDCN-4 (Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience 4). Inflammatory processes affecting the nervous system, including those producing ischemia and cellular degeneration should be reviewed in BDCN-4. Studies directly focused on mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and neuronal cell death should be reviewed in BDCN-3.
CMN-2 (Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience 2). CMN-2 may be more appropriate for fundamental cellular and molecular studies of proteins implicated in neurodegenerative disease. Applications should be reviewed in BDCN-3 if the focus of the study is on mechanisms relating to neurodegenerative disease.CMN-2 may be more appropriate for study of basic mechanisms relating to cell death and apoptosis. Applications should be reviewed in BDCN-3 if the focus of the study is on cell death mechanisms in neurodegenerative disease or on therapeutic approaches.
HUD-2 and -3 (Human Development and Aging 3 and 4). Behavioral aspects of brain disorders in childern or adults and the behavioral consequences of various diseased, disorders and injuries are reviewed in the Human Development and Aging Study Sections.
IFN-4 (Integrative and Functional Neuroscience 4). In general, applications reviewed by the Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience Study Sections focus on diseases and pathological processes, while those reviewed by IFN-4 focus on sensory systems per se.
IFN-5 (Integrative and Functional Neuroscience 5). In general Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience Study Sections focus on diseases and pathological processes, while IFN-5 reviews applications dealing normal sensory/motor function.
Areas of technical competency of this committee include: tissue culture, cell biology, protein chemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, neuroimmunology, neuropathology, neurology, clinical studies, animal behavior, and biostatistics.
GENERAL STATEMENT
This study section reviews applications related to central and peripheral nervous system disorders The applications should be related to infections, immune, inflammatory or vascular mechanisms. The scope of investigations range from in vitro and animal models to human studies. The expertise of this study section will extend from molecular biology to clinical investigations.
I. Immune. Aplication on diseases covered in this category include immunologic processes of primary or secondary mechanisms such as: MS, G-B, MG, chronic inflammatory polyradicular neuropathy and experimental models. Diseases which traditionally do not fall into this category, but which are hypothesized to have immunological mechanisms may be considered here.
II. Infectious. Immunological studies that directly involve immunologic effects on neurons and glia, or the actions of the nervous system on the immune system, should be reviewed here. Studies of infectious diseases that are specific to the nervous system, or which produce important neurological symptoms, may be reviewed here. Applications on diseases covered in this category include infectious processes of primary or secondary processes such as: parasitic, fungal, bacterial, viral and prion. Diseases which don't traditionally fall into this category, but which are hypothesized to have an infectious mechanism may be considered here.
III. Inflammatory. Applications on diseases covered in this category include inflammatory processes of primary or secondary mechanisms such as: post-ischemic or post-traumatic inflammatory processes, healing or regenerative processes and inflammatory processes related to degenerative diseases.
IV. Vascular. Applications on diseases/disorders covered in this category include vascular processes of primary or secondary mechanisms such as: stroke and trauma, vasculidides, and vascular malformations. Studies concerning CBF, blood brain barrier, and Metabolism in brain disorders such as dementia, epilepsy, or brain tumors may be considered here. The role of vascular effects of drugs of abuse or other exogenous agents are within the scope of this study section.
V. Tumors. Including studies of diagnosis, mechanism and treatment.
BDCN-1 (Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience 1). Functional imaging studies in general should be reviewed in BDCN-1.
BDCN-2 (Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience 2). Wound healing should be reviewed in BDCN-4, but studies focused on neuronal regeneration should be reviewed in BDCN-2 or the Molecular and Cellular Study Sections.
BDCN-3 (Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience 3). Inflammatory processes affecting the nervous system, including those producing ischemia and cellular degeneration should be reviewed in BDCN- 4, although studies directly focused on mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and apoptosis should be reviewed in BDCN-3.
BDCN-5 (Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience 5). Studies of infectious influences on the fetal, neonatal, or pediatric brain should be reviewed in BDCN-5.
BEM. (Behavioral Medicine) BEM reviews behavioral studies of central and peripheral nervous system disorders including the management of risk factors.
IFN-4 (Integrative and Functional Neuroscience 4). In general, applications reviewed by the Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience Study Sections focus on diseases and pathological processes, while those reviewed by IFN-4 focus on sensory systems per se.
Areas of technical competency of this committee include: neurology, neuroimmunology, neurosurgery, neuropathology, microbiology, neuroradiology, neuroanatomy, neuro-oncology, cellular and molecular biology, and physiology/biochemistry.
GENERAL STATEMENT
This study section reviews applications in brain disorders that impact specifically on the developing brain. This includes genetic, metabolic, infectious, environmental, and behavioral influences on the fetal, neonatal or pediatric brain that lead to abnormal brain development and function. The study section has clinical and basic expertise in the vulnerability and plasticity of the developing brain in humans and relevant animal models.
I. Brain development in utero: Transplacental exposure to maternal drugs, alcohol, toxins, and metabolic imbalances.
II. Perinatal Insults and Low-birth-weight Infants: Perinatal injury, hypoxic/ischemia, pediatric epilepsy, congenital infections involving the CNS (including HIV).
III. Genetic and Metabolic Abnormalities: Brain malformations, inborn errors of metabolism, neurotransmitter and receptor abnormalities.
IV. Developmental Disorders: Mental retardation, learning disabilities, dyslexia, autism, cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and other relevant disorders.
V. Therapeutic Interventions and Brain Plasticity: Medical, surgical, pharmacological, and behavioral interventions; plasticity and rehabilitation in the developing brain
VI. Genetics and Animal Models: Identification and characterization of genetic mechanisms affecting the developing brain; development of relevant animal models and therapeutic strategies.
ALTOX (Alcohol and Toxicology) . There is potential overlap with respect to in utero and congenital exposure to infectious agents, toxins, or pharmacological compounds; if the primary focus is on the developing brain the application should be reviewed in BDCN-5, but applications involving non-neuronal systems and epidemiology should be assigned elsewhere.
BDCN-1, -2, -3 and -4 (Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience. 1, 2, 3, and 4) . Applications on neurological disorders and injuries in the mature brain should be reviewed the appropriate Brain Disorder and Clinical Neuroscience Study Section, but applications involving the developing brain (fetal, neonatal, infant) should be reviewed in BDCN-5.
BDCN-6 and -7 (Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience 6 and 7). These study sections generally review applications having to do with mental disorders and disorders that manifest in the mature (adult), while disorders that manifest in the developing brain (including mental retardation, autism, ADHD) should be reviewed in BDCN-5.
HUD-3 (Human Development and Aging-3) . Applications with a primary focus on assessment of behavior and cognition without significant reference to the biological substrate should be reviewed in HUD-3.
IFN-4 (Integrative and Functional Neuroscience 4). In general, applications reviewed by the Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience Study Sections focus on diseases and pathological processes, while those reviewed by IFN-4 focus on sensory systems per se.
IFN-5 (Integrative and Functional Neuroscience 5). In general Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience Study Sections focus on diseases and pathological processes, while IFN-5 reviews applications dealing normal sensory/motor function.
MEDB (Medical Biochemistry). Applications on inborn errors of metabolism where the primary focus is on peripheral systems (e.g., liver, kidney, blood) should be reviewed in MEDB, but applications that focus on brain pathophysiology should be reviewed in BDCN-5.
Areas of technical competency of this committee include: brain embryology and development, pediatric pharmacology, teratology and developmental toxicology, developmental genetics, developmental cognitive neuroscience, nutrition and brain metabolism, pathophysiology, pediatrics, OB/GYN, neuroimmunology, animal models, genetic epidemiology, and pediatric rehabilitation
GENERAL STATEMENT
Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience Study Sections 6 and 7 review applications focusing on the same range of disorders, but with differences in approaches and levels of analysis. This study section reviews applications focusing on the structural, functional, electrophysiological, and neuropsychological aspects of the clinical neurobiology of addictive, behavioral, cognitive and emotional disorders. The expertise of this study section ranges from basic neurobiology to clinical investigations.
I. Addictive Disorders. This area encompasses clinical neurobiological studies of drug abuse disorders, addictive disorders, and comorbidity with other disorders including emotional, infectious, and degenerative disorders. Questions will include neurobiological mechanisms by which drugs of abuse or treatment of disorders of drug abuse/addiction affect the structure and/or function of the central nervous system; development of the central nervous system; behavior and cognition. Studies of the neurobiological and cognitive processes underlying drug-seeking behavior, craving, tolerance, withdrawal, dependence and sensitization as well as the neurobiology of individual differences in vulnerability and resiliency to drug abuse are also appropriate to this study section.
II. Behavioral, Cognitive and Emotional Disorders. This area includes studies of a wide range of disorders (enumerated below) with a focus on their biological basis(es). Individual applications might focus on biological aspects of etiology, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and diagnosis.
There will be broad overlap with other neuroscience study sections. Applications emphasizing the clinical neurobiology of addictive, behavioral, and emotional disorders should be reviewed in Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience 6 and 7. The boundary between these two study sections is described in their respective general statements. Applications which focus on cognitive disorders related to addictive, behavioral or emotional disorders should be reviewed in BDCN-6 and 7; those whose focus is on developmental, inflammatory/immune or neurodegenerative disorders should be reviewed in the Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience Study Section with the appropriate focus.
BDCN-5 (Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience 5). Pervasive developmental disorders such as autism and mental retardation should be reviewed in the BDCN-5. Other childhood disorders such as anxiety disorders, ADHD, eating disorders, tic disorders, etc. should be reviewed in BDCN-6 or 7.
HUD (Human Development and Aging). Applications with a primary focus on assessment of behavior, cognition and social state without significance reference to the biological substrate should be reviewed in HUD-1-3.
Areas of technical competency of this committee include: functional and structural neuroimaging, electrophysiology, neuroanatomy, neuropathology, neuropsychology, psychiatry to include expertise in addictive disorders, neurology, geriatrics, pediatrics, and sleep and circadian rhythms.
GENERAL STATEMENT
Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience Study Sections 6 and 7 review applications focusing on the same range of disorders, but with differences in approaches and levels of analysis. This study section reviews applications focusing on the biochemical, neurochemical, pharmacological, neuroendocrine, neurotoxicological and genetic aspects of clinical neurobiology of addictive, behavioral, cognitive and emotional disorders. The expertise of this study section ranges from molecular biology to animal models of disease to clinical investigations.
I. Addictive Disorders. This area encompasses clinical neurobiological studies of drug abuse disorders, addictive disorders, and comorbidity with other disorders including emotional, infectious, and degenerative disorders. Questions will include neurobiological mechanisms by which drugs of abuse or treatment of disorders of drug abuse/addiction affect the structure and/or function of the central nervous system; development of the central nervous system; behavior and cognition. Studies of the neurobiological and cognitive processes underlying drug-seeking behavior, craving, tolerance, withdrawal, dependence and sensitization as well as the neurobiology of individual differences in vulnerability and resiliency to drug abuse are also appropriate to this study section.
II. Behavioral, Cognitive and Emotional Disorders. This area includes studies of a wide range of disorders (enumerated below) with a focus on their biological basis(es). Individual applications might focus on biological aspects of etiology, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and diagnosis.
There will be broad overlap with other neuroscience study sections. Applications emphasizing the clinical neurobiology of addictive, behavioral, and emotional disorders should be reviewed in Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience 6 and 7. The boundary between these two study sections is described in their respective general statements. Applications which focus on cognitive disorders related to addictive, behavioral or emotional disorders should be reviewed in BDCN-6 and 7; those whose focus is on developmental, inflammatory/immune or neurodegenerative disorders should be reviewed in the Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience Study Section with the appropriate focus.
BDCN-5 (Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience 5). Pervasive developmental disorders such as autism and mental retardation should be reviewed in the BDCN-5. Other childhood disorders such as anxiety disorders, ADHD, eating disorders, tic disorders, etc. should be reviewed in BDCN-6 and 7.
HUD (Human Development and Aging). Applications with a primary focus on assessment of behavior, cognition and social state without significance reference to the biological substrate should be reviewed in HUD-1-3.
MGN (Mammalian Genetics). Applications with a primary focus on genetics should be reviewed by MGN.
Areas of technical competency of this committee include: neurochemistry, signal transduction, behavioral pharmacology, neuropharmacology, genetics, biochemical and behavioral teratology, neuroendocrinology/stress, animal models of disease, psychiatry to including expertise in addictive disorders, neurology, geriatrics, pediatrics, and sleep and circadian rhythms.
DRAFT VERSION FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Last update: June 22, 1998
[Referral & Review]