Neurological Clinical Research Institute

About Us

The Neurological Clinical Research Institute (NCRI) at Mass General is an academic research organization composed of innovative researchers experienced and passionate about designing, developing, facilitating, and conducting multicenter clinical trials in neurological diseases. Our goal is to develop new treatments for the patients we care for and for patients around the globe. We have particular expertise in ALS, Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. 

The unique strength of the NCRI is our institute’s position within one of the country’s largest hospital-based Neuroscience Research departments. The NCRI is able to leverage subspecialty experience from the department of neurology’s 200+ clinical faculty to provide the scientific leadership and collaborative approaches required to meet any complex challenges presented. Our world-renowned Harvard Medical School-based faculty are able to challenge conventional approaches and explore innovation, accelerating the translation of scientific discovery into better care for patients everywhere.

Co-founded in 1994 by Dr. Merit Cudkowicz and Dr. Steven Greenberg to conduct clinical research in neurological disorders, the NCRI develops, designs, supports and manages innovative observational and interventional trials for neurological disorders. In collaboration with the Mass General Biostatistics Center, the NCRI has an impressive record of rapidly and efficiently leading small and large multi-center, international clinical trials including randomized, double-blind, double-dummy and open label designs.

Mission

The mission of the Neurological Clinical Research Institute (NCRI) is to accelerate translational research in neurological disorders by initiating clinical development of novel therapies and leading trials of these compounds. We strive to be at the cutting edge of innovative trial design to accelerate therapy development by creating new trial methodology, discovering novel biomarkers and refining outcome measures.

Research Services

At the NCRI we provide core comprehensive clinical trial infrastructure services for investigators at Mass General and elsewhere, such as trial design, project management, IRB centralization and data management.

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Collaborations

We provide key services for several groups at Mass General and around the world, including the Healey Center for ALS, the Northeast ALS Consortium and NeuroNEXT.

Our research partners

Our Investigators

• 

  James Berry, MD, MPH

  • Winthrop Family Scholar in ALS Sciences
  • Director, MGH Neurological Clinical Research Institute
  • Chief, Division of ALS and Motor Neuron Diseases
• 

  Sabrina Paganoni, MD, PhD

  • Co-Director, MGH Neurological Clinical Research Institute (NCRI)
• 

  Suma Babu, MPH,MBBS

  • Co-Director, MGH Neurological Clinical Research Institute (NCRI)
• 

  Kate Brizzi, MD

  • Physician, Neuropalliative Care
  • Instructor in Neurology
• 

  Merit Cudkowicz, MD

  • Chief, Neurology Department
  • Director, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS
  • Director, Neurological Clinical Research Institute
• 

  Steve Greenberg, MD, PhD

  • Director, Hemorrhagic Stroke Research Program
  • Vice-Chair, Faculty Development and Promotions
  • John J. Conway Endowed Chair in Neurology
• 

  Doreen Ho, MD

  • Director, ALS Clinic
  • Assistant Professor, Neurology
• 

  Farrah Mateen, MD, PhD

  • Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School
  • Director, Global Health, Department of Neurology
  • Associate Director, Multiple Sclerosis & Neuromyelitis Optica Unit
• 

  Katharine Nicholson, MD

  • Assistant in Neurology
  • Instructor, Harvard Medical School
• 

  Alexander Sherman, MS

  • Director, Center for Innovation and Bioinformatics
• 

  Aleksandar Videnovic, MD

  • Director, Division of Sleep Medicine