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Most current brain research dollars are allocated for the study of the adult brain-to understand and treat diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. No unified research effort exists to understand the unique issues of the child's brain structure, developmental patterns, and related diseases. CNS' emphasis on the broad spectrum of childhood neurological challenges will shift the current boundaries of research, pediatric injury prevention, and adult treatment.
CNS believes that by first examining injury to the developing brain, researchers will develop the tools to effectively promote brain repair and regeneration at whatever point in life injury may occur. CNS funds research directed toward understanding the mechanisms of the developing brain with special emphasis on the period after the brain insult or injury occurs. CNS' goal is to expedite the generation of new knowledge from which treatments and therapies will emerge.
As new discoveries materialize, we will have a unique opportunity to link the understanding of the young child's brain to the issues of adult brain dysfunction. Pushing the research boundaries beyond the adult brain will help scientists both discern the mechanisms by which brain developmental patterns shift to compensate for disruption and illuminate the critical pathways to disease and repair methods. In both populations, devastating life impacts and substantial medical costs associated with long-term care will be mitigated or avoided. |