Brain & Behavior Research Foundation
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NARSAD, or National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression, is a private, not-for-profit public charity. It is the largest donor-supported organization that supports research on brain and behavior disorders. It raises funds for scientific research into the causes, cures, treatments and prevention of severe psychiatric brain and behavior disorders, including schizophrenia, depression, and other related disorders. As of 2008, NARSAD had awarded more than $230 million through research grants to over 2,700 scientists at 431 institutions in the U.S. and 2 other countries. [1]
The organization’s stated mission is to raise and distribute funding for the most promising psychiatric disease research in order to develop new preventative measures, better diagnoses and improved treatments for these conditions. NARSAD only gives out funds for neurobiological research, including drug studies.[2][unreliable source?]
History
Originally a part of the American Schizophrenia Foundation, NARSAD was formed by three leading national mental health organizations: The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, The National Mental Health Association and The National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association.
The president of NARSAD for 18 years was Constance Lieber, whose daughter Janice had been diagnosed with schizophrenia in the early 1980s. Janice was given medication but said they made her sicker than she was without them, and she was subsequently trialled on many different drug regimes. After a NARSAD board member expressed confidence in a drug, called Clozaril, into which he had conducted preliminary research, Janice was tried on that antipsychotic, and as of 2002 she was reportedly "relatively stable" and Constance Lieber reported that "Clozaril has made a great deal of difference in her life and in mine".[3]
The organization is currently led by Stephen A. Lieber, chairman of the Board, and Joel Gurin, acting president.[4]
Funding
NARSAD is registered as a 501(c)(3) public charity. It receives no government support and operates solely through the contributions of individuals, foundations and corporations.[5]
NARSAD receives contributions from a number of pharmaceutical companies. The organization states on its website that such contributions are not used to fund research grants in order to avoid undue influence or conflict of interest. Instead, support from pharmaceutical companies is used to fund educational activities including symposia.[6] In some instances, pharmaceutical companies have also helped to support fundraising activities.[7] Pharmaceutical companies that have provided their support include: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Forest Pharmaceutical, Eli Lilly and Company, Janssen Pharmaceutica, AstraZeneca, and Wyeth.
NARSAD co-funds the Schizophrenia Research Forum. The organization also recruits support from a wide range of sources and media partners.[8] Partners include: Schizophrenia.com,[9] Anchor Magazine,[10] Health Central Network, and Schizophrenia Digest.
References
- ^ "Presbyterian Chief Executive Herbert Pardes, M.D., Honored For Leadership in Psychiatry at NARSAD's 21st Annual New York Gala" (Press release). Great Neck, N.Y: NARSAD. October 22, 2008. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
- ^ "Research Center". NARSAD. 2008-10-17. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
- ^ Bender, Eve (2002-11-01). "An Advocate's Journey Started at Home". Psychiatr News. 37 (21). American Psychiatric Association: 11. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
- ^ "Officers and Board Members". NARSAD. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
- ^ http://www.narsad.org/about/pdf/2007annualreport.pdf
- ^ "What relationship does NARSAD have with pharmaceutical companies?". Campaign: FAQ. NARSAD. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
- ^ "2003 Annual Gala Awards Dinner". Great Neck, NY: NARSAD. November 21, 2003. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
- ^ "For the Media". NARSAD. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
- ^ NARSAD: The Mental Health Research Association
- ^ http://dev.anchormag.com:8082/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.14