NARSAD Awards $8.5 Million in New Grants for Psychiatric Research - 140 Investigators to Receive New Grants

National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression
Thursday, 8 March 2001

(Great Neck, New York. March 8, 2001). The National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD) has announced it will award $8.5 million in new grants to 140 investigators at leading medical centers and universities in the United States and around the world. Each year, NARSAD awards funding for the most promising psychiatric research based on the recommendations of its 65-member Scientific Review Council.

The latest awards are in addition to funds previously earmarked for research projects this year, bringing NARSAD's total grant commitment for 2001 to almost $15 million. The grants support studies on depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, bipolar illness (manic-depression) and other brain disorders.

"NARSAD awards critical grant money for the most exciting and promising research projects," said Constance Lieber, President of NARSAD's Board of Directors. "Many of the leading researchers worldwide, including two scientists who have gone on to win the Nobel Prize in Medicine, have received NARSAD grants," added Ms. Lieber.

The Alliance funds investigators in their quest to better understand brain disorders using the most advanced tools in genetics, molecular biology, brain imaging and other technologies. NARSAD-funded projects include the study of genetic and environmental risk factors for mental illness, brain chemicals that regulate behavior, novel treatments for brain disorders, the mechanism of action of current treatments, early intervention and educational programs to mitigate the effects of mental illness, ethical issues in psychiatric research and a host of other topics in brain science.

"With the mapping of the human genome and other recent breakthroughs, we have entered a new era in psychiatric research," said Ms. Lieber. "We hope the research grants will lead us to discoveries that will improve the lives of millions of people who have a brain disorder."

About NARSAD and Research Funding

NARSAD is the leading non-governmental organization funding psychiatric research worldwide. Since 1987, NARSAD has awarded $108 million in grants to over 1,300 scientists at 172 universities and research centers. Since its founding, NARSAD has experienced extraordinary growth. The not-for profit organization has gone from distributing grants to 10 researchers in 1987 totaling $250,000 to its commitment to award almost $15 million this year.

NARSAD's Scientific Review Council is composed of 65 scientists and academic leaders in all phases of neurobiological and psychiatric research. This distinguished group of volunteer reviewers screens hundreds of applications each year to find the most promising research proposals. NARSAD provides important early career support for scientists (Young Investigator awards) and continuing support with its Distinguished and Independent Investigator awards, expecting grant recipients to play key roles in discovering the causes, new treatments and eventual cures for mental illness.

NARSAD grant awardees work in major medical research centers and universities in the United States and other countries. The largest number of grants for 2001 was awarded to researchers affiliated with Harvard University (16), Yale University (14) and Columbia University (12). In addition, grants were awarded to researchers in Canada, England, Spain, Italy, Israel and, for the first time, China.

The Toll of Mental Illness

Psychiatric disorders affect more than 25 million Americans and take an enormous toll in terms of personal suffering and health care costs. Half of all Americans will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives, according to the U.S. Surgeon General, and one in five suffers from a diagnosable psychiatric disorder at any given time. The cost in terms of medical treatment and lost productivity is estimated at $200 billion dollars a year.

For more information, or to contact National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression, see their website at: www.narsad.org