History | NINDS

Important Events in NINDS History

1950 — On August 15 President Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 81-692, establishing the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness (NINDB).

1951 — NINDB received its first budget of $1,232,253.

1953 — The NINDB budget became a line item in the NIH budget.

1953-54 — An intramural program of clinical investigation was initiated, including medical neurology, surgical neurology, and electroencephalography. Training programs in neurology and ophthalmology were initiated.

1955 — Basic science training grants were initiated.

1956 — The intramural clinical investigations program was expanded to include work in ophthalmology.

1957 — Training programs in otolaryngology and pediatric neurology began.

Field investigations involving collaborative and cooperative clinical studies began and the initial phase of the Collaborative Perinatal Project was started.

1960 — The joint intramural basic research program of NINDB and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) was divided and organized into 2 basic research laboratory programs.

1961 — First program projects and clinical research centers in stroke and communicative disorders were supported.

1962 — Funds were appropriated for professional and technical information assistance. Training grants in neurosurgery and neuroradiology were initiated.

1963 — Developmental graduate training grants were initiated.

1965 — A head injury research program was established.

1966 — The stroke research program was expanded; additional grants for clinical research centers were awarded. An antiepileptic drug testing program began.

1967 — Vision outpatient research centers were established. A program of research in neural control mechanisms and prostheses was initiated.

1968 — The Institute was renamed the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke. The NINDS blindness program became the nucleus of the National Eye Institute.

1969 — Research Building 36—dedicated by the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) Secretary Robert H. Finch—was occupied by NINDS and NIMH research laboratories.

1971 — Programs in applied neurological research (epilepsy, head injury), infectious diseases, and biometry were added to the Collaborative and Field Research Division.

1973 — Two new communicative disorders programs began with the establishment of an intramural Laboratory of Neuro-Otolaryngology and a section on communicative disorders in the Collaborative and Field Research Division.

1974 — Laboratories for neuroimmunology and neuropharmacology were established.

1975 — NINDS was renamed the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke (NINCDS).

The Institute reorganized into 6 units for intramural research, fundamental neurosciences, communicative disorders, neurological disorders, stroke and trauma, and extramural activities.

1976 — Dr. D. Carleton Gajdusek, chief, Laboratory of Central Nervous System Studies, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for work on atypical slow viruses.

1979 — A neuroepidemiology section and a section of neurotoxicology were established within the Intramural Research Program. NINCDS substantially expanded extramural support of research studies using positron emission tomography.

1982 — The Institute's Neurological Disorders Program was replaced by 2 new program units: convulsive, developmental, and neuromuscular disorders and demyelinating, atrophic, and dementing disorders.

1984 — NINCDS established the Senator Jacob Javits Neuroscience Awards, which provide research grant support for up to 7 years in the basic and clinical neurosciences and communicative sciences.

A Laboratory of Neurobiology and a Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology were established within the Intramural Research Program.

1986 — A Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Implantation was established within the Intramural Research Program.

1987 — NINCDS programs were renamed divisions, reflecting major areas of research interest: communicative and neurosensory disorders; convulsive, developmental, and neuromuscular disorders; demyelinating, atrophic, and dementing disorders; fundamental neurosciences; stroke and trauma; extramural activities; and intramural research.

A Clinical Neuroscience Branch was established within the Division of Intramural Research.

1988 — The communicative disorders program became the nucleus of the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. NINCDS was renamed the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

1989 — On July 25 President George H.W. Bush signed P.L. 101-58, declaring the 1990s the "Decade of the Brain."

1990 — A Stroke Branch was established within the Division of Intramural Research.

1998 — NINDS formed 7 planning panels comprising neuroscience leaders. Panel members outlined opportunities for research investment.

1999 — NINDS published Neuroscience at the New Millennium: Priorities and Plans for the NINDS, Fiscal Years 2000-2001.

2000 — The Parkinson's Disease Research Agenda was developed.

2001 — NINDS celebrated its 50th anniversary with a 2-day scientific symposium, "Celebrating 50 Years of Brain Research: New Discoveries, New Hope."

The Stroke Progress Review Group was created.

The Research Agenda for Epilepsy was developed.

2002 — The Report of the Stroke Progress Review Group was published.

2004 — The new National Neuroscience Research Center opened.

NINDS and NIMH develop a concept to fund collaborative neuroscience research projects, leading to the formation of the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research, or NIH Blueprint. By pooling resources and expertise, NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) that support research on the nervous system confront challenges in neuroscience too large for any single ICO.

2007 — NINDS launched a new strategic planning process, in which it convened external panels on basic, translational, and clinical research and on neurological diseases.

2008 — The NINDS Division of Extramural Research created an Office of Translational Research and an Office of Clinical Research, each led by an Associate Director.

2009-10 — As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, NIH received $10.4 billion to stimulate biomedical research over a 2-year period. NINDS’s share ($400 million) was used to fund existing and peer-reviewed projects, and to support trans-NIH programs that solicited innovative ideas and research projects.

2010 — The new NINDS Strategic Plan: "Priorities and Plans for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke" was released.

The NIH Blueprint Human Connectome Project (HCP), an ambitious effort to map all the connections within the human brain, began with two major research consortia which took complementary approaches to deciphering the brain’s complex wiring diagram. Over the years, HCP expanded with the Lifespan Connectome, Disease Connectome, and Connectome Coordination Facility projects. Additionally, the NIH Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN) program was initiated to enable neuroscientists in academia and biotechnology companies to develop new treatments for nervous system disorders – the program has expanded to include small molecule and biotherapeutic drug discovery and development.

2011 — The NINDS Division of Extramural Research created an Office of Training, Career Development and Workforce Diversity and an Office of Special Programs in Diversity.

2012 — A Pain Health Science Policy Advisor position was established within the NINDS Office of the Director to serve as the Designated Federal Official for the Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee and to support the expanding programs of the NIH Pain Consortium.

2013 — Creation of an Office of Scientific Liaison within the NINDS Office of the Director.

The Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies® Initiative, or The BRAIN Initiative®, launches with NINDS and NIMH co-leading the NIH effort. The BRAIN Initiative is a partnership between Federal and non-Federal partners with a common goal of accelerating the development of innovative neurotechnologies.

NINDS is part of a collaborative effort to launch the NIH NeuroBioBank, which has catalyzed scientific discovery through the centralization of resources aimed at the collection and distribution of human post-mortem brain tissue.

2014 — The NIH Blueprint program for “Enhancing Neuroscience Diversity through Undergraduate Research Education Experiences (ENDURE)” is announced to raise interest and opportunities in neuroscience research for individuals at the undergraduate level who are typically underrepresented in the field.

The Accelerating Medicines Partnership (AMP) is launched. A collaboration among NIH, FDA, biopharmaceutical companies, and several non-profits, the project is designed to transform the current model for developing new diagnostics and treatments by jointly identifying and validating promising biological targets of disease. NINDS contributes substantially to the AMP Parkinson’s disease project, launched in 2016.

2016 — The NINDS Extramural Program was restructured to include the Division of Neuroscience, Division of Extramural Activities, Division of Clinical Research, and Division of Translational Research.

The NIH Blueprint Diversity Specialized Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Advancement in Neuroscience (D-SPAN) Award is initiated to support a defined pathway across career stages for outstanding graduate students who are from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups that are underrepresented in neuroscience research.

Creation of the Office of Programs to Enhance Neuroscience Workforce Diversity (OPEN).

Creation of the NINDS Director of Research Quality position within the NINDS Division of Extramural Activities.

Launch of the NINDS Research Program Award (R35), which seeks to help investigators make meaningful contributions to neuroscience by providing greater funding stability, flexibility, and support.

2018 — Office of Pain Policy and Planning (OPPP) established within the NINDS Office of the Director.

Office of Emergency Care Research (OECR) transferred to the NINDS Division of Clinical Research from National Institute of General Medicine Sciences (NIGMS) due to NINDS’ strong expertise in and support for clinical research related to emergency medicine.

Creation of the NINDS Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship by an NINDS Investigator in honor of former NINDS Director Dr. Story Landis.

2019 — Creation of the NINDS Office of Global Health and Health Disparities.

2020 — The NIH Office of the BRAIN Director established within NINDS with the appointment of the BRAIN Director.

2021 — The new NINDS Strategic Plan, “Investing in the Future of Neuroscience,” was released.

The NIH Blueprint MedTech program begins, which provides funding, resources, and support services needed to catalyze the translation of novel neurotechnologies from early-stage development to first-in-human studies.

The NIH launches the REsearching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Initiative to support large-scale studies on the long-term effects of COVID-19. NINDS co-chairs this initiative, along with NHLBI.

Creation of the NINDS Deputy Director for Scientific Management and Operations position within the Immediate Office of the Director.

Office of Neural Exposome and Toxicology Research (ONETOX) established in the Division of Translational Research seeks to advance knowledge of internal and external exposures that affect brain and nervous system health, research related to chemical threats, and provides resources that promote chemical safety. ONETOX also coordinates NINDS’ contributions to the NIH-wide CounterACT program, which was launched in 2006 by NINDS.

2022 — Creation of the NINDS Director for Research Operations and Analysis within the Division of Extramural Activities.

2023 —The Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative®, was transferred into NINDS and NIDA from the NIH Office of the Director.

NINDS combined its Office of Communications and Public Liaison and Office of Scientific Liaison into the Office of Neuroscience Communications and Engagement (ONCE).

Publication of the NINDS Social Determinants of Health Framework and Health Equity Strategic Plan in the journal Neurology.

NINDS Legislative Chronology

August 15, 1950 — Public Law 81-692 established NINDB "for research on neurological diseases (including epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis) and blindness."

August 16, 1968 — Public Law 90-489 renamed the NINDB the National Institute of Neurological Diseases.

October 24, 1968 — Public Law 90-636 changed the name of the Institute to the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke.

October 25, 1972 — Public Law 92-564 established a temporary National Commission on Multiple Sclerosis supported by NINDS.

March 14, 1975 — Part 8 of a HEW Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority was amended to change the title of NINDS to the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke.

July 29, 1975 — Public Law 94-63 established two temporary commissions to be supported by NINCDS: the Commission for the Control of Epilepsy and Its Consequences, and the Commission for the Control of Huntington's Disease and Its Consequences.

October 28, 1988 — Public Law 100-553 changed the name of NINCDS to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

June 10, 1993 — Public Law 103-43 added language on multiple sclerosis research to the legislative mandate of NINDS.

November 13, 1997 — Public Law 105-78, the Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease and Research Act, added language authorizing increased Parkinson's disease research and training, including research centers.

November 17, 2000 — Public Law 106-310, the Children's Health Act of 2000, amended the Public Health Service Act on a wide range of issues affecting children's health. Specifically relevant to the NINDS mission were authorizing provisions for the expansion of autism research, including research centers of excellence, and the establishment of an interagency Autism Coordinating Committee; the establishment of a Pediatric Research Initiative; the development of a pediatric research loan repayment program; the conduct of a national longitudinal study of environmental influences on children's health and development; the study of risk factors for childhood cancers, including malignant tumors of the central nervous system; the support of research with respect to cognitive disorders and neurobehavioral consequences arising from traumatic brain injury; and the expansion and coordination of muscular dystrophy research.

December 18, 2001 — Public Law 107-084, the Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research, and Education Amendments of 2001, or the "MD-CARE Act," amended the Public Health Service Act to provide for the expansion and coordination of research with respect to various forms of muscular dystrophy, including the establishment of research centers of excellence and an interagency coordinating committee.

December 19, 2006 — Public Law 109-416, the Combating Autism Act of 2006, amended the Public Health Service Act to expand and coordinate research activities with respect to autism spectrum disorders through the Centers of excellence and to establish the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee.

October 8, 2008 — Public Law 110-361, the Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research, and Education Amendments of 2008 reauthorized programs at NIH focused on muscular dystrophy and designated the previously established research centers of excellence as Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Centers.

March 30, 2009 — Public Law 111-11, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, which includes text of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, authorized the NIH Director to: coordinate paralysis research and rehabilitation activities at the NIH; establish consortia in paralysis research; and establish networks of clinical sites that will collaborate to design clinical rehabilitation intervention protocols and outcome measures on paralysis.

September 26, 2014 — Public Law 113-166, the Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research, and Education Amendments of 2014 reauthorized and extended the Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research, and Education Amendments (MD-CARE) of 2008. The bill added cardiac and pulmonary function to the research areas covered by the Wellstone Centers, added members to the Muscular Dystrophy Coordinating Committee, and specified twice-yearly meetings of the Committee.

December 13, 2016 — Public Law 114-255, the 21st Century Cures Act, establishes the Beau Biden Cancer Moonshot and NIH Innovation Projects, to carry out the BRAIN Initiative®, Precision Medicine Initiative, cancer research, and regenerative medicine. The law provided $1.5 billion for the BRAIN Initiative through FY 2026.

January 4, 2011 — Public Law No: 111-375, the National Alzheimer’s Project Act, establishes both the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease in the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services and an Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services to evaluate federally funded efforts in Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias and recommend priority actions to be reported in an annually updated National Plan.

December 23, 2021 — Public Law No: 117-79, the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act (“ACT for ALS”) directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a grant program for research utilizing data from expanded access to investigational amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) treatments for individuals who are not otherwise eligible for clinical trials. It also directs the Secretary to establish a public-private partnership for rare neurodegenerative diseases between the NIH, the FDA, and at least one eligible private entity to advance research that will support the development and regulatory review of medications that address ALS and other rare neurodegenerative diseases.