Key Dates

Related Announcements

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Issued by

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Purpose

Purpose:

The purpose of this time-sensitive Request for Information (RFI) is to solicit public input on promising progress and opportunities that have emerged in cerebral palsy (CP) research since the publication of the NINDS/NICHD Strategic Plan for Cerebral Palsy Research in 2017.

Background:

In 2017, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Development and Health (NICHD) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) published a Strategic Plan for Cerebral Palsy (CP) research that was envisioned to cover research priorities for 10 years (https://www.ninds.nih.gov/about-ninds/strategic-plans-evaluations/strategic-plans/nindsnichd-strategic-plan-cerebral-palsy-research). The plan outlines specific priority areas including Basic and Translational Research, Clinical Research and Workforce Development. These priority areas were identified following two workshops supported by NICHD and NINDS that were attended by broad spectrum of the CP research community. In addition, the Strategic Plan was refined based on additional feedback received following the solicitation and receipt of public comments about the Strategic Plan.

Within the Basic and Translational Research category, the following areas were prioritized for additional investigation:

• Enhance understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of developing brain-spine-muscle axis.
• Integrate state-of-the-art neuroimaging.
• Clarify mechanisms and establish biomarkers.
• Understand and utilize neuroplasticity.

In the Clinical Research domain, the plan includes recommendations for research to:

• Consider the entire lifespan.
• Enhance treatment options.
• Revisit and update study designs in the field.
• Maximize potential of existing databases and registries.
• Develop better data metrics.

Finally, under the Workforce Development area, priorities in the plan include enhancing training for the next generation of clinicians and researchers, and to attract new investigators to the field to leverage expertise of other disciplines to enhance CP research and patient care.

NICHD and NINDS are planning a workshop on August 17-18, 2022 to address the state of the field five years after the publication of the NIH CP Strategic Plan.

The purpose for this Request for Information (RFI) is to obtain input from stakeholders including researchers, people affected by CP and clinicians, about promising progress and opportunities that would be important to discuss at the upcoming workshop. Responses may address recent advances, challenges, and opportunities in any area of CP research, and NINDS and NICHD are particularly interested in input on the following topics proposed for the workshop agenda:

• Advances in the early detection of CP.
• Genetic biomarkers for CP.
• Interventions that engage neuroplasticity.
• Patient oriented outcomes in CP research.
• Disparities facing patients and researcher in CP.

Specifically, are these topics the most relevant to the research field at this time? Are there missing topics that should be included? What are the opportunities for understanding CP pathophysiology, diagnosing impairments, promoting functional recovery, and supporting people with CP and their families?

How to submit a response:

Due to the time-sensitive nature of this RFI, NICHD and NINDS request responses be made no later than June 24, 2022. Responses can be sent to [email protected].

Responses will be accepted through July 5, 2022.

Responses are voluntary and may be submitted anonymously. Responders are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. Submitted information will not be considered confidential. Responses may be shared publicly on an NIH website. Please do not include any personally identifiable or other information that you do not wish to make public. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response.

This request is for information and planning purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the United States Government. The NIH will not make any awards based on responses to this RFI or pay for the preparation of any information submitted or for the Government’s use of such information.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Jim Koenig, Ph.D.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Telephone: 240-281-2013
Email: [email protected]