- Email: [email protected]
News from the national institute on aging and national institute of mental health
Neurobiology oJ'Aging, Vol. 7, pp. 63-65, 1986. ~:Ankho InternationalInc. Printed in the U.S.A.
0197-4580/86 $3.00 + .00
NEWS FROM THE N A T I O N A L INSTITUTE O N A G I N G A N D N A T I O N A L INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH Alzheimer's disease. A unique, and much needed, aspect of this particular center program involves studying how families c o p e - - a n d why they burnout. The emphasis of this program, however, involves the grantees' plans to initiate and build professional and public education programs dealing with Alzheimer's disease. An extensive outreach program is already in place, with plans to strengthen and integrate existing university programs; expand and coordinate continuing education activities; support the establishment of more A1zheimer's disease support groups to disseminate information to the public; and help to integrate geriatric training programs within the various university departments. For further information contact: Doug Bruce (606)883-9520.
NIA ESTABLISHES FIVE NEW ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE RESEARCH CENTERS
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) announced funding for five new Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers, awarding $3.4 million in grants for the first year of operation and a total of $25 million over the next 5 years. This brings to ten the number of Alzheimer's centers funded by the NIA. The new centers will be established at Duke University (Durham, North Carolina), the University of Kentucky (Lexington, Kentucky), the University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), the University of Washington (Seattle, Washington), and Washington University (St. Louis, Missouri). Each center will serve as the site for new and expanded studies of the basic, clinical and behavioral aspects of Alzheimer's disease. They will also train scientists and health care professionals new to the field, and serve as the allimportant link between the research community and the public as research advances are reported. Research topics range from studies of the basic mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease to those aimed at managing the symptoms and helping families to cope. As the following highlights show, each of the five new centers has its own unique areas of emphasis.
University of Pittsburgh (Principal Investigator: Franeo& Boiler. M.D., Ph.D) This center will focus heavily on the clinical aspects of Alzheimer's disease, with particular attention to improved diagnosis and treatment. With respect to diagnosis, investigators will explore the use and value of nuclear magnetic resonance, a new and promising imaging technique. In another study, investigators hope to determine whether platelet and red blood cell membranes may reveal characteristic alterations that may aid in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. With respect to both diagnosis and treatment, studies will focus on how Alzheimer's disease affects language, attention, memory and cognitive performance, and sleep. F o r further information contact: Jane Duffield (412)624-3538.
Duke University (Principal Investigator: Allen D. Roses, M.D.) Scientists at the Duke University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) will expand upon studies of the neurochemical pathology of Alzheimer's disease, with particular attention to the changes that occur in cholinergic function. A special feature of this program is that the Duke investigators have devised a system to perform rapid autopsies. Recently, the group performed an autopsy only 23 minutes after death. It is hoped that this unique new system will offer more accurate insights into the chemical function of tissue in the brain, and that it will be useful to the Duke investigators as well as others in the ADRC network. Another major thrust of the Duke study is to determine if a gene or genes involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease is located on chromosome 21. The Duke investigators have long been involved in studies of the frequency of Down's syndrome and Alzheimer's disease in the same families. F o r further information contact: Kay Miller (919)684-4148.
University of Washington (Principal Investigator: George Martin, M.D.) At the University of Washington ADRC, scientists will focus on the familial form of Alzheimer's disease in which the disease shows an autosomal dominant role of inheritance. The major goal is to identify and characterize genes or genetic markers associated with Alzheimer's disease and to elucidate the nature of the gene action at the molecular, cellular and clinical levels. As part of their research, the investigators will culture, characterize, freeze and store a wide variety of cells and tissue types as well as samples of skin and blood from deceased Alzheimer's patients and controis. In other projects, the investigators will use the tools of modern molecular biology in an attempt to produce antibodies against the neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques that characterize Alzheimer's disease. F o r further information contact: Ginny Ulum (206)543-3620.
University of Kentucky (Principal Investigator: William Markesbery, M.D.) Investigators at this center will focus on calcium regulation in the brain and how it might play a role in the cause of
63
64
NIH NEWS
Washington University ( Principal Investigator: Leonard Berg, M.D.)
NIA AWARDED 207 COMPETING RESEARCH GRANTS IN FISCAL YEAR 1985
This center brings together a number of diverse interests and studies ranging from basic studies on nerve growth factor in the maintenance of cholinergic neurons, to clinical studies involving neuroimaging, to epidemiologic studies aimed at identifying predictors of Alzheimer's disease (including those linked to physical or psychiatric illness, occupational history, education and living situation), to studies designed to determine what the general public knows and thinks about Alzheimer's disease. For further information contact: Glenda Wiman (314)362-6888.
The National Institute on Aging came out better than expected when the National Institutes of Health budget for fiscal year 1985 was broken down by institutes. Total funding for NIA for both research and training came to $144.4 million, slightly more than the $144.3 million the Reagan administration has sought. NIA awarded 207 competing research grants in fiscal year 1985 totaling $31.5 million. This was 78 more than the 129 awarded last year although still less than the 214 all-time high awarded in 1979. The administration had sought only 154 competing grants. Overall, NIH was limited to 6,200 competing research grants and 533 research center grants. The additional NIA grants came about because of a change in the average grant cost, which was originally estimated at $164,000, but revised down to $149,000. Thus more grants could be awarded for the same amount of allocated money. N I A ' s budget also included 270 non-competing projects (totaling $51.4 million), 12 research centers ($9.5 million) and 143 other research grants ($7.1 million). Total research funding for fiscal year 1985 is $99.4 million for 632 projects.
1987 AGING RESEARCH PRIORITIES FOR NIA OUTLINED
A tentative version of Fiscal Yr 1987 research priorities for the National Institute on Aging was outlined by Director T. Franklin Williams at a September meeting of the National Advisory Council on Aging in Bethesda, Md. The priorities were selected based on scientific opportunities and relevance to aging health needs. Williams will be presenting his proposal in January to National Institutes of Health Director James Wyngaarden, who will in turn submit his NIH-wide recommendations to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget in time for the 1987 budget deliberations. The proposed priorities fall into four categories:
Understanding Aging (I) Molecular genetics. NIA is moving to set up a Laboratory of Molecular Genetics in Baltimore, Md with a two-year pilot grant. (2) Oldest old. This would include an emphasis on epidemiology and methodology. (3) Gender differences. Although this was included in last year's priorities, very little has actually been accomplished in this area. NIA wants to include more women in the on-going Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. (4) Cross-cultural studies. NIA has some good prospects for agreements with the United Kingdom, Sweden and Italy for joint comparative studies. (5) Characteristics of diseases.
Promoting and Maintaining Health and Function (1) Develop overall conceptual strategy for promotion and maintenance of health. (2) Issues dealing with health behaviors, including motivation and social and professional influences. (3) Productivity and quality of life in later years. (4) Exercise and nutrition. NIA wants to prepare more investigators in these two areas through special emphasis career awards.
Common Diseases and Dbabilities (1) Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, including emphasis on: early, consistent and dependable diagnosis; a look at peripheral markers which may be a key to early diagnosis; and cross-cultural studies. (2) Cardiovascular studies. (3) Musculoskeletal studies, including bone changes such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
Training Williams emphasized the need to produce more academic leadership and to use existing research training settings through complementary training program grants and cofunding.
DECREASE IN 2000 GRANTS TO FUND MODERNIZATION OF ACADEMIC LABORATORIES PROPOSED
NIH competing research grants would decrease by 2000 under a congressional proposal to enhance academic research facilities. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Fugua (D-FL) would require Health and Human Services and five other federal agencies to set aside 10 percent of the research budgets to support a university laboratory modernization program. The bill requires that institutions match the federal facility funds with an equal share of private money. NIH funded 6,200 new research grants in fiscal 1985 from an appropriation of $920 million. Congressional proposals would enable the research agency to fund at least 6,000 new grants in fiscal 1986. When the bill (HR2823) was introduced, an explanation of the bill assured that the 10 percent formula would not unduly tax funding for research grants. The NIH director, H. Wyngaarden expressed reservations about the program's effect on the number of research grants, administrative costs and its overlap with present laws concerning research facilities. NIH, along with the National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Departments of Agriculture, Defense and Energy, support the intent of the bill but object to the funding mechanisms used to achieve its goal.
NIH NUCLEARMAGNETICRESONANCEFACILITYTO BE BUILT A $5 million NIH magnetic resonance facility, the In Vivo NMR Research Center, is to be built by General Electric on the NIH campus in Bethesda MD. Construction of the 11,000 square-foot research building should be completed by September 1986. Following installation of the equipment, which will include GE's Signa 1.5 Tesla system for whole body imaging and two additional units for chemical shift imaging and spectroscopy in small animals, the center is expected to be fully operational by January 1987. The center is expected to facilitate collaborative research between N I H ' s clinical research programs, particularly in the area of in viw~ spectroscopy.
NIH NEWS GERIATRIC CONTINENCE RESEARCH P R O G R A M ESTABLISHED BY NIA
A geriatric inpatient continence research program has been established under a joint interagency agreement between the National Institute on Aging and the Health Care Financing Administration, Under the direction of Dr. Bernard Engle and co-directors Drs. Kathleen McCormick and Louis Burgio of N I A ' s Gerontology Research Center, investigators will initiate an inpatient geriatric continence unit at the Francis Scott Key Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. Patients in the 15-bed unit will receive specialized therapy tailored to their specific needs and limitations. Patients with impaired mobility but no cognitive dysfunction will receive training in biofeedback or, if necessary, musclestrengthening, while those with intellectual impairment will receive habit and motivational training. Neither technique will involve surgical or drug intervention, and will therefore be relatively risk free. Preliminary trials have shown biofeedback and habit training to be particularly effective therapies for appropriate elderly populations. NIH POLICYON CARE AND USE OF LAB ANIMALSRELEASED The National Institutes of Health have released their revised Policy in Humane Care and Use of Laboratory AnimaLs by Awardee Institutions. The new policy became effective in November 1985, culminating a two year review by NIH of the 1979 policy. In summary, there are five major areas of change: 1. Institutions are required to designate clear lines of authority and responsibility for those involved in animal care and use in NlH-supported projects. Each institution must identify an official who is ultimately responsible for the institution's animal program and a veterinarian qualified in laboratory animal medicine who will participate in the program. 2. The policy upgrades the role and responsibilities of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC) and their involvement in all aspects of the institution's NIHsupported animal research program. The policy requires that committees include an individual unaffiliated with the institution, a veterinarian with training or experience in the care and use of laboratory animals, a practicing scientist experienced in research involving animals, and a member whose primary concerns are in a nonscientific area. Animal care committees will not have the power to terminate a research grant if members are dissatisfied with the quality of animal care or treatment. A majority of committee members will have the power to suspend research, but it will be up to the president or another high-level institutional officer ac-
65 countable for animal care to make a final decision. That official, however, would have to report the circumstances to the NIH Office for Protection from Research Risks. In general, the new policy encourages animal care committees to educate researchers and administrators about less painful procedures by forcing them to think about their customary techniques. 3. The policy mandates each institution to provide detailed information regarding the institution's program for the care and use of research animals in NIH-supported activities as part of filing a written Animal Welfare Assurance with the N I H Office for Protection from Research Risks. 4. The policy requires animal care committees to review and approve those sections of research applications for N I H funding that relate to the care and use of animals. The N I H will not award funds for research involving animals until the approval is documented. N I H resolved complaints about the vagueness of terms describing procedures as "harmful or invasive" or involving "prolonged restraining" by specifying that although any member of the committee can do a review, every member must be aware of the applications to be reviewed. He or she could then request that the entire committee review a potentially controversial procedure. An institution and its animal care committee are also free to come up with a list of procedures that could be approved by a single committee member or that would require full committee review. 5. Any institution that is not accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal C a r e - the recognized nongovernment accrediting organization in the field--- will be required to conduct an annual selfassessment of its animal research program based on the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Deficieno e s in an institution's program or facilities must be reported to the NIH and the institution must adhere to an approved time frame for the correction of the deficiencies. An updated version of this G u i d e - - p r e p a r e d by the Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources within the National Academy of Scie n c e s - will be released shortly. Only about 200 of the 840 "research entities" that received N I H grants are currently A A A L A C accredited, according to NIH. In one view, the new policy provides institutions an incentive to obtain A A A L A C accreditation, which is good for three years, because the self-evaluation route will be more time-consuming and demand considerably more paperwork. One change that has not received much attention but which could pose a major problem for some laboratories, is that some cage size recommendations have been changed, with larger enclosures suggested for the larger nonhuman primate species.
0197-4580/86 $3.00 + .00
NEWS FROM THE N A T I O N A L INSTITUTE O N A G I N G A N D N A T I O N A L INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH Alzheimer's disease. A unique, and much needed, aspect of this particular center program involves studying how families c o p e - - a n d why they burnout. The emphasis of this program, however, involves the grantees' plans to initiate and build professional and public education programs dealing with Alzheimer's disease. An extensive outreach program is already in place, with plans to strengthen and integrate existing university programs; expand and coordinate continuing education activities; support the establishment of more A1zheimer's disease support groups to disseminate information to the public; and help to integrate geriatric training programs within the various university departments. For further information contact: Doug Bruce (606)883-9520.
NIA ESTABLISHES FIVE NEW ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE RESEARCH CENTERS
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) announced funding for five new Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers, awarding $3.4 million in grants for the first year of operation and a total of $25 million over the next 5 years. This brings to ten the number of Alzheimer's centers funded by the NIA. The new centers will be established at Duke University (Durham, North Carolina), the University of Kentucky (Lexington, Kentucky), the University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), the University of Washington (Seattle, Washington), and Washington University (St. Louis, Missouri). Each center will serve as the site for new and expanded studies of the basic, clinical and behavioral aspects of Alzheimer's disease. They will also train scientists and health care professionals new to the field, and serve as the allimportant link between the research community and the public as research advances are reported. Research topics range from studies of the basic mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease to those aimed at managing the symptoms and helping families to cope. As the following highlights show, each of the five new centers has its own unique areas of emphasis.
University of Pittsburgh (Principal Investigator: Franeo& Boiler. M.D., Ph.D) This center will focus heavily on the clinical aspects of Alzheimer's disease, with particular attention to improved diagnosis and treatment. With respect to diagnosis, investigators will explore the use and value of nuclear magnetic resonance, a new and promising imaging technique. In another study, investigators hope to determine whether platelet and red blood cell membranes may reveal characteristic alterations that may aid in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. With respect to both diagnosis and treatment, studies will focus on how Alzheimer's disease affects language, attention, memory and cognitive performance, and sleep. F o r further information contact: Jane Duffield (412)624-3538.
Duke University (Principal Investigator: Allen D. Roses, M.D.) Scientists at the Duke University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) will expand upon studies of the neurochemical pathology of Alzheimer's disease, with particular attention to the changes that occur in cholinergic function. A special feature of this program is that the Duke investigators have devised a system to perform rapid autopsies. Recently, the group performed an autopsy only 23 minutes after death. It is hoped that this unique new system will offer more accurate insights into the chemical function of tissue in the brain, and that it will be useful to the Duke investigators as well as others in the ADRC network. Another major thrust of the Duke study is to determine if a gene or genes involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease is located on chromosome 21. The Duke investigators have long been involved in studies of the frequency of Down's syndrome and Alzheimer's disease in the same families. F o r further information contact: Kay Miller (919)684-4148.
University of Washington (Principal Investigator: George Martin, M.D.) At the University of Washington ADRC, scientists will focus on the familial form of Alzheimer's disease in which the disease shows an autosomal dominant role of inheritance. The major goal is to identify and characterize genes or genetic markers associated with Alzheimer's disease and to elucidate the nature of the gene action at the molecular, cellular and clinical levels. As part of their research, the investigators will culture, characterize, freeze and store a wide variety of cells and tissue types as well as samples of skin and blood from deceased Alzheimer's patients and controis. In other projects, the investigators will use the tools of modern molecular biology in an attempt to produce antibodies against the neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques that characterize Alzheimer's disease. F o r further information contact: Ginny Ulum (206)543-3620.
University of Kentucky (Principal Investigator: William Markesbery, M.D.) Investigators at this center will focus on calcium regulation in the brain and how it might play a role in the cause of
63
64
NIH NEWS
Washington University ( Principal Investigator: Leonard Berg, M.D.)
NIA AWARDED 207 COMPETING RESEARCH GRANTS IN FISCAL YEAR 1985
This center brings together a number of diverse interests and studies ranging from basic studies on nerve growth factor in the maintenance of cholinergic neurons, to clinical studies involving neuroimaging, to epidemiologic studies aimed at identifying predictors of Alzheimer's disease (including those linked to physical or psychiatric illness, occupational history, education and living situation), to studies designed to determine what the general public knows and thinks about Alzheimer's disease. For further information contact: Glenda Wiman (314)362-6888.
The National Institute on Aging came out better than expected when the National Institutes of Health budget for fiscal year 1985 was broken down by institutes. Total funding for NIA for both research and training came to $144.4 million, slightly more than the $144.3 million the Reagan administration has sought. NIA awarded 207 competing research grants in fiscal year 1985 totaling $31.5 million. This was 78 more than the 129 awarded last year although still less than the 214 all-time high awarded in 1979. The administration had sought only 154 competing grants. Overall, NIH was limited to 6,200 competing research grants and 533 research center grants. The additional NIA grants came about because of a change in the average grant cost, which was originally estimated at $164,000, but revised down to $149,000. Thus more grants could be awarded for the same amount of allocated money. N I A ' s budget also included 270 non-competing projects (totaling $51.4 million), 12 research centers ($9.5 million) and 143 other research grants ($7.1 million). Total research funding for fiscal year 1985 is $99.4 million for 632 projects.
1987 AGING RESEARCH PRIORITIES FOR NIA OUTLINED
A tentative version of Fiscal Yr 1987 research priorities for the National Institute on Aging was outlined by Director T. Franklin Williams at a September meeting of the National Advisory Council on Aging in Bethesda, Md. The priorities were selected based on scientific opportunities and relevance to aging health needs. Williams will be presenting his proposal in January to National Institutes of Health Director James Wyngaarden, who will in turn submit his NIH-wide recommendations to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget in time for the 1987 budget deliberations. The proposed priorities fall into four categories:
Understanding Aging (I) Molecular genetics. NIA is moving to set up a Laboratory of Molecular Genetics in Baltimore, Md with a two-year pilot grant. (2) Oldest old. This would include an emphasis on epidemiology and methodology. (3) Gender differences. Although this was included in last year's priorities, very little has actually been accomplished in this area. NIA wants to include more women in the on-going Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. (4) Cross-cultural studies. NIA has some good prospects for agreements with the United Kingdom, Sweden and Italy for joint comparative studies. (5) Characteristics of diseases.
Promoting and Maintaining Health and Function (1) Develop overall conceptual strategy for promotion and maintenance of health. (2) Issues dealing with health behaviors, including motivation and social and professional influences. (3) Productivity and quality of life in later years. (4) Exercise and nutrition. NIA wants to prepare more investigators in these two areas through special emphasis career awards.
Common Diseases and Dbabilities (1) Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, including emphasis on: early, consistent and dependable diagnosis; a look at peripheral markers which may be a key to early diagnosis; and cross-cultural studies. (2) Cardiovascular studies. (3) Musculoskeletal studies, including bone changes such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
Training Williams emphasized the need to produce more academic leadership and to use existing research training settings through complementary training program grants and cofunding.
DECREASE IN 2000 GRANTS TO FUND MODERNIZATION OF ACADEMIC LABORATORIES PROPOSED
NIH competing research grants would decrease by 2000 under a congressional proposal to enhance academic research facilities. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Fugua (D-FL) would require Health and Human Services and five other federal agencies to set aside 10 percent of the research budgets to support a university laboratory modernization program. The bill requires that institutions match the federal facility funds with an equal share of private money. NIH funded 6,200 new research grants in fiscal 1985 from an appropriation of $920 million. Congressional proposals would enable the research agency to fund at least 6,000 new grants in fiscal 1986. When the bill (HR2823) was introduced, an explanation of the bill assured that the 10 percent formula would not unduly tax funding for research grants. The NIH director, H. Wyngaarden expressed reservations about the program's effect on the number of research grants, administrative costs and its overlap with present laws concerning research facilities. NIH, along with the National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Departments of Agriculture, Defense and Energy, support the intent of the bill but object to the funding mechanisms used to achieve its goal.
NIH NUCLEARMAGNETICRESONANCEFACILITYTO BE BUILT A $5 million NIH magnetic resonance facility, the In Vivo NMR Research Center, is to be built by General Electric on the NIH campus in Bethesda MD. Construction of the 11,000 square-foot research building should be completed by September 1986. Following installation of the equipment, which will include GE's Signa 1.5 Tesla system for whole body imaging and two additional units for chemical shift imaging and spectroscopy in small animals, the center is expected to be fully operational by January 1987. The center is expected to facilitate collaborative research between N I H ' s clinical research programs, particularly in the area of in viw~ spectroscopy.
NIH NEWS GERIATRIC CONTINENCE RESEARCH P R O G R A M ESTABLISHED BY NIA
A geriatric inpatient continence research program has been established under a joint interagency agreement between the National Institute on Aging and the Health Care Financing Administration, Under the direction of Dr. Bernard Engle and co-directors Drs. Kathleen McCormick and Louis Burgio of N I A ' s Gerontology Research Center, investigators will initiate an inpatient geriatric continence unit at the Francis Scott Key Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. Patients in the 15-bed unit will receive specialized therapy tailored to their specific needs and limitations. Patients with impaired mobility but no cognitive dysfunction will receive training in biofeedback or, if necessary, musclestrengthening, while those with intellectual impairment will receive habit and motivational training. Neither technique will involve surgical or drug intervention, and will therefore be relatively risk free. Preliminary trials have shown biofeedback and habit training to be particularly effective therapies for appropriate elderly populations. NIH POLICYON CARE AND USE OF LAB ANIMALSRELEASED The National Institutes of Health have released their revised Policy in Humane Care and Use of Laboratory AnimaLs by Awardee Institutions. The new policy became effective in November 1985, culminating a two year review by NIH of the 1979 policy. In summary, there are five major areas of change: 1. Institutions are required to designate clear lines of authority and responsibility for those involved in animal care and use in NlH-supported projects. Each institution must identify an official who is ultimately responsible for the institution's animal program and a veterinarian qualified in laboratory animal medicine who will participate in the program. 2. The policy upgrades the role and responsibilities of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC) and their involvement in all aspects of the institution's NIHsupported animal research program. The policy requires that committees include an individual unaffiliated with the institution, a veterinarian with training or experience in the care and use of laboratory animals, a practicing scientist experienced in research involving animals, and a member whose primary concerns are in a nonscientific area. Animal care committees will not have the power to terminate a research grant if members are dissatisfied with the quality of animal care or treatment. A majority of committee members will have the power to suspend research, but it will be up to the president or another high-level institutional officer ac-
65 countable for animal care to make a final decision. That official, however, would have to report the circumstances to the NIH Office for Protection from Research Risks. In general, the new policy encourages animal care committees to educate researchers and administrators about less painful procedures by forcing them to think about their customary techniques. 3. The policy mandates each institution to provide detailed information regarding the institution's program for the care and use of research animals in NIH-supported activities as part of filing a written Animal Welfare Assurance with the N I H Office for Protection from Research Risks. 4. The policy requires animal care committees to review and approve those sections of research applications for N I H funding that relate to the care and use of animals. The N I H will not award funds for research involving animals until the approval is documented. N I H resolved complaints about the vagueness of terms describing procedures as "harmful or invasive" or involving "prolonged restraining" by specifying that although any member of the committee can do a review, every member must be aware of the applications to be reviewed. He or she could then request that the entire committee review a potentially controversial procedure. An institution and its animal care committee are also free to come up with a list of procedures that could be approved by a single committee member or that would require full committee review. 5. Any institution that is not accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal C a r e - the recognized nongovernment accrediting organization in the field--- will be required to conduct an annual selfassessment of its animal research program based on the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Deficieno e s in an institution's program or facilities must be reported to the NIH and the institution must adhere to an approved time frame for the correction of the deficiencies. An updated version of this G u i d e - - p r e p a r e d by the Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources within the National Academy of Scie n c e s - will be released shortly. Only about 200 of the 840 "research entities" that received N I H grants are currently A A A L A C accredited, according to NIH. In one view, the new policy provides institutions an incentive to obtain A A A L A C accreditation, which is good for three years, because the self-evaluation route will be more time-consuming and demand considerably more paperwork. One change that has not received much attention but which could pose a major problem for some laboratories, is that some cage size recommendations have been changed, with larger enclosures suggested for the larger nonhuman primate species.