Neurosciences

Neurology & Neurosurgery

NeuroNEXT

Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials

The Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials, or NeuroNEXT, was created to conduct studies of treatments for neurological diseases through partnerships with academia, private foundations, and industry. The network is designed to expand the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke's (NINDS) capability to test promising new therapies, increase the efficiency of clinical trials before embarking on larger studies, and respond quickly as new opportunities arise to test promising treatments for people with neurological disorders.

Goals of the NeuroNEXT program:

  • Provide a robust, standardized, and accessible infrastructure to facilitate rapid development and implementation of protocols in neurological disorders affecting adult and/or pediatric populations.
  • Support scientifically sound Phase 2 clinical trials.
  • Energize and mobilize federal, industry, foundations and patient advocacy partners by leveraging existing relationships between NINDS and NeuroNEXT to organize high impact Phase 2 clinical trials for neurological disorders.
  • Expand the pool of experienced clinical investigators and research staff who are prepared to be leaders of multicenter clinical research trials.
  • Decrease the time and cost between trial design and trial completion.
  • Create a smooth cooperative venture between NeuroNEXT, NINDS, and the applicant.

There are 25 sites in the United States that are a part of the NeuroNEXT network. Karen S. Marder, MD, MPH and Claudia A. Chiriboga, MD, MPH are the co-PIs at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center and Dr. Susan Gauthier is the site PI at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Studies

The Columbia University Medical Center/Weill Cornell Medical Center NEXT site has been selected to participate in the first NeuroNEXT clinical trial: Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Biomarker in the Immediate Postnatal Period of Development