CNS Statement on Recent Disruption of NIH Funding Child neurologists provide complex medical care for children with neurological disorders, lead research that generates life-changing discoveries for these children, and train future generations of child neurologists.?Decades of global leadership by the United States in the field of child neurology led to better health outcomes for our nation’s children.?One of many examples of our achievements is a revolutionary gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy, the infantile form of which was fatal but no longer is when treated promptly. We as a society have an obligation to care for the most vulnerable among us, many of whom are children with neurological disorders.?Thanks to discoveries made largely with federal funding, we now have many more tools with which to provide such care.?Diminished funding for research disproportionately impacts younger physicians and scientists, leading to a loss of innovation that will last a generation or longer. The Child Neurology Society urges the federal government to reverse the recent disruptions to the operations of federal biomedical agencies and pursue discussions of any future changes in a bipartisan manner with the inclusion of key stakeholders, including patients and their families, medical professionals, and biomedical researchers.?Together we can preserve and enhance our research innovations and public health measures for the benefit of the children of our great nation. Peter B. Kang, MD, FCNS President Child Neurology Society
