RI institutions form neuroscience research agreement

December 4, 2015 1:46 pm

By Niza Viñas

new@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Rhode Island’s research institutions on brain science announced that they have engaged in a formal agreement to work mutually toward helping solve some of the many concerns of brain activity.

The partnership with Lifespan, Brown University, University of Rhode Island, Care New England, and Providence VA Medical Center is focused on identifying the causes and treatments for a many diseases and disorders, such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and autism.

“Just as with cardiac disease and cancer, true breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment occur only when there is collaboration among and between disciplines and institutions. This agreement presents just such a collaborative opportunity.” said Timothy J. Babineau, president and CEO of Lifespan.

Babineau added that all five of the institutions were very keen on working together. The institutions also showed readiness to sign a memorandum of understanding to formalize the partnership.

“As we work to crack the code of brain sciences, teamwork is more important than ever to find solutions to keep people healthy,” said Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo. “Combining our existing neuroscience expertise will also take our research capabilities to the next level, and put Rhode Island on the map as a place of innovation and collaboration.”

Rhode Island’s federal delegation expressed their support for the collaboration, seeing it as a critical scientific and economic boost to the state.

Rhode Island is the only state in the country to have such a statewide effort of all the major institutions involved in this field.

The institutions’ researchers are excited about potential benefits that include co-funding pilot grant programs, cross-institutional appointments, educational opportunities for researchers and staff, and the sharing of information, equipment and facilities.