The Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC)-Weill Cornell Medical Center (WCMC) NEXT site will increase the efficiency of clinical research sponsored by NINDS through the creation of a shared infrastructure that will benefit from existing resources, including two CTSAs, to conduct Phase II exploratory trials, some of which may be biomarker-informed, in partnership with industry and foundations. The two neuroscience centers have a long history of collaboration in research;their respective hospitals are combined (New York Presbyterian Hospital);and they both have CTSAs linked in a regional consortium.
Our aims are: 1) to develop a neuroscience clinical trials site at CUMC (hub) and WCMC (spoke) that draws from extensive expertise in adult and pediatric neurology, neurosurgery, basic neuroscience, and neuroepidemiology and that is capable of conducting five to seven Phase II clinical trials or biomarker validation studies across its lifespan;2) to leverage resources from the CTSA and Office of Clinical Trials at each center to efficiently identify and recruit ethnically diverse participants who are expeditiously recruited and followed to trial completion;3) to train the next generation of clinical and basic neuroscientists to become independent investigators who will design and conduct clinical trials, making use of new technologies and trial methodologies;and 4) to participate in, and contribute to, the NEXT network on a national level. We have identified co-investigators who have experience in NIH-, industry- and foundation-supported clinical trials, demonstrated partnership with foundations, and a commitment to mentorship. We have developed a recruitment strategy for rare and more common neurological diseases, making use of our respective communities, ambulatory care networks, and advanced bioinformatics. Our recruitment efforts will dovetail with our three-pronged goal to: 1) educate families through bilingual (English and Spanish) disease-specific programs, 2) develop a clinical-research learning-institute for advocates, and 3) organize a multifaceted program for faculty career-development. The large SMA population (n=106) and demonstrated successful enrollment in the Biomarker for SMA study provides us with the necessary experience to conduct the anticipated NEXT SMA biomarker validation trial.

Public Health Relevance

Strengths of this NEXT site, supported by two CTSAs, include the ability to recruit an ethnically diverse population in adult and pediatric rare and common neurological diseases. We will develop an educational program for patients, families and investigators that will inform about the importance of clinical trials and new scientific breakthroughs and challenges.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Cooperative Clinical Research--Cooperative Agreements (U10)
Project #
1U10NS077267-01
Application #
8240687
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZNS1-SRB-G (51))
Program Officer
Moy, Claudia S
Project Start
2011-09-30
Project End
2018-08-31
Budget Start
2011-09-30
Budget End
2012-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$329,834
Indirect Cost
Name
Columbia University (N.Y.)
Department
Neurology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
621889815
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10032
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Garcia, Tanya P; Ma, Yanyuan; Marder, Karen et al. (2017) ROBUST MIXED EFFECTS MODEL FOR CLUSTERED FAILURE TIME DATA: APPLICATION TO HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE EVENT MEASURES. Ann Appl Stat 11:1085-1116
Kolb, Stephen J; Coffey, Christopher S; Yankey, Jon W et al. (2016) Baseline results of the NeuroNEXT spinal muscular atrophy infant biomarker study. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 3:132-45