EXPANSION OF FOCUS PAS-03-160: GENE/ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION IN NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE RELEASE DATE: July 20, 2004 NOTICE: NOT-ES-04-009 National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) (http://www.niehs.nih.gov) The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences is announcing an expansion of focus for PAS-03-160: Gene/Environment Interaction in Neurodegenerative Disease. The original program announcement http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAS-03-160.html focused on gene-environment interactions in the etiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Effective immediately, in addition to ALS, applications are being encouraged in Parkinson’s disease (PD) especially targeted to the areas identified below. These specific research needs were identified as being of high priority at a meeting held at NIEHS, Environmental Factors in Neurodegenerative Disease: Synthesis and Next Steps. Please note that for one specific area only we are encouraging the use of the R03 (small grant) mechanism. For all others, the R21 and R01 mechanisms as described in the original PAS are appropriate. o Interaction of environmental agents with ubiquitin/proteasomal pathways and pathologies. o Interaction of environmental agents in inflammatory processes. o Interaction of environmental agents in non-neuronal cells (astrocytes, glia, microglia). o Identification and testing of environmental compounds that may affect alpha-synuclein expression. o The role of neuroprotective agents (nicotine, caffeine, endogenous estrogen etc) in the expression of PD. o R03s for secondary data analyses of epidemiological studies. While the above is not an exhaustive list of PD research areas, it is the areas of priority for the Institute. Although manganism is relevant from a public health perspective, applications using manganese intoxication in an animal may not be valid models of PD and therefore are not encouraged. INQUIRIES Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues for ALS to: Annette Kirshner, Ph.D. Scientific Program Administrator Cellular, Organ and Systems Pathobiology Branch Division of Extramural Research and Training National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences P.O. Box 12233, MD EC-23 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Telephone: 919-541-0488 Fax: 919-541-5064 Email: kirshner@niehs.nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues for animal models and cellular mechanisms to: Cindy Lawler, Ph.D. Scientific Program Administrator Cellular, Organ and Systems Pathobiology Branch Division of Extramural Research and Training National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences P.O. Box 12233, MD EC-23 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Telephone: 919-316-4671 Fax: 919-541-5064 Email: lawler@niehs.nih.gov Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues for PD studies in humans to: Kimberly Gray, Ph.D. Scientific Program Administrator Susceptibility and Population Health Branch Division of Extramural Research and Training National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences P.O. Box 12233, MD EC-21 Telephone: 919-541-0293 Fax: 919-316-4606 Email: gray6@niehs.nih.gov


Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices



NIH Office of Extramural Research Logo
  Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) - Home Page Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS)
  USA.gov - Government Made Easy
NIH... Turning Discovery Into Health®



Note: For help accessing PDF, RTF, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Audio or Video files, see Help Downloading Files.