P50HD105354

The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC) at CHOP/PENN - (Research Plan- Overall) Project Summary

With this application, we seek funding for the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC) at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the University of Pennsylvania (PENN), which has been continuously funded for the past 30 years. Our IDDRC supports an interdisciplinary program and is the chief agency at CHOP/PENN for the promulgation of research into the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDS). Our mission, to identify the pathogenesis of and develop therapies for individuals with IDDS, is pursued through three aims.

(Aim 1) Lead a cutting-edge IDD research agenda. We will support five research cores that harness innovations in genetics and neuroscience to identify the causes of IDDS, to determine how gene variants alter brain structure, circuitry, and behavioral outputs (cognitive, motor, sensory, social, affective), and to utilize this information to develop biomarkers and new treatments for IDDS. Our cores deploy complementary state-of-the-art technologies, focusing on studies performed in two species (mouse & human), making it easier for center members to perform more impactful research. Cores emphasize research along the developmental spectrum. These strategies ensure that the advances will have a translational impact. The cores provide cost-effective support for 61 world-class center members, who are funded by 78 grants totaling $29.1 million annually to study the pathogenesis of IDDS, to identify new biomarkers of IDDS, and to develop novel interventions (pharmacologic and genetic). In addition, we will support an innovative research project that uses center cores to determine if magnetoencephalography (MEG) measures of auditory processing in infants at genetic risk for IDD can be used to predict cognitive and language outcome. Our cores focus on rigorous and reproducible research practices, including sound experimental design for hypothesis testing, well-justified sample sizes, and robust data analytics.

(Aim 2) Lead a multi-disciplinary career development program to support trainees and early-stage faculty. Our trainees are diverse and have PhDs, MDs, and MD/PhDs with backgrounds in genetics, neuroscience, and related disciplines. They receive support from IDDRC-administered programs: a NINDS-funded T32 training grant in neurodevelopmental disabilities, a CHOP Research Institute-funded supplement program for clinical research fellows, and a CHOP-Institute funded new program development award for assistant professors. They obtain multidisciplinary training that helps them become future leaders in IDD research.

(Aim 3) Support networking/collaboration, advocacy, and the dissemination of IDD research findings. The center leadership will enable networking to support collaborative initiatives, both within the CHOP/PENN IDDRC community and between IDDRCs. Center leadership will advocate both internally and externally to advance an IDD research agenda. Finally, the center will lead an effort to disseminate research advances to patients, their families, to government officials, and to other scientists.

With this comprehensive approach, the IDDRC at CHOP and PENN will achieve our goal of advancing patient-centered innovative treatments for individuals with IDDS.

The Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia

TO CONDUCT AND SUPPORT LABORATORY RESEARCH, CLINICAL TRIALS, AND STUDIES WITH PEOPLE THAT EXPLORE HEALTH PROCESSES. NICHD RESEARCHERS EXAMINE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, BIOLOGIC AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS, BEHAVIOR PATTERNS, AND POPULATION DYNAMICS TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN THE HEALTH OF ALL PEOPLE. TO EXAMINE THE IMPACT OF DISABILITIES, DISEASES, AND DEFECTS ON THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS. WITH THIS INFORMATION, THE NICHD HOPES TO RESTORE, INCREASE, AND MAXIMIZE THE CAPABILITIES OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY DISEASE AND INJURY. TO SPONSOR TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR SCIENTISTS, DOCTORS, AND RESEARCHERS TO ENSURE THAT NICHD RESEARCH CAN CONTINUE. BY TRAINING THESE PROFESSIONALS IN THE LATEST RESEARCH METHODS AND TECHNOLOGIES, THE NICHD WILL BE ABLE TO CONDUCT ITS RESEARCH AND MAKE HEALTH RESEARCH PROGRESS UNTIL ALL CHILDREN, ADULTS, FAMILIES, AND POPULATIONS ENJOY GOOD HEALTH. THE MISSION OF THE NICHD IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY PERSON IS BORN HEALTHY AND WANTED, THAT WOMEN SUFFER NO HARMFUL EFFECTS FROM REPRODUCTIVE PROCESSES, AND THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE THE CHANCE TO ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL FOR HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES, FREE FROM DISEASE OR DISABILITY, AND TO ENSURE THE HEALTH, PRODUCTIVITY, INDEPENDENCE, AND WELL-BEING OF ALL PEOPLE THROUGH OPTIMAL REHABILITATION.

93.310 - Trans-NIH Research Support

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) [HHS - NIH]

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) [HHS - NIH]

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 191044318 United States

Single Zip Code

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Reserch Centers [IDDRC] FY 2021 (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) (RFA-HD-21-009)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 511% from $1,123,757 to $6,865,896.