Neurosciences Research

The Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute (NPNI) brings together world-class physicians and scientists who work to advance patient care by conducting original and high-impact basic, translational and clinical research. NPNI physicians and scientists are committed to making scientific breakthroughs, developing them into effective tests and treatments, and quickly delivering them to patients who need them most.

The NPNI is uniquely equipped to conduct research that focuses on:

• Disorders of the developing brain, such as autism and attention deficit disorder
• Diseases of the aging brain, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
• Restoring function to the damaged brain, including brain-machine interfaces and deep brain stimulation

Our Approach

Scientists and physicians affiliated with the Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute have made major contributions to the fields of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. They not only have longstanding collaborations with Brown University neuroscientists and cognitive researchers, but also with Brown researchers in applied mathematics, biostatistics, public health, molecular biology, electrical engineering, computer science and computational biology.

In a spirit of close-knit collaboration—a hallmark of the best science and medical care—our research approach makes it easy to:

• Share a wealth of cutting-edge equipment and expertise
• Enroll representative samples of patients with brain diseases in clinical trials quickly, and study them over time
• Test and rapidly implement new ways to improve clinical care, including new drugs, new devices, new processes and new policies
• Access state leaders in government and business to develop large-scale research strategies and health care policies

• Research conducted through the NPNI is distinguished by close collaboration among internationally recognized experts at prominent Rhode Island institutions, including Rhode Island Hospital and its Hasbro Children’s, Bradley Hospital, Brown University and the Carney Institute for Brain Science, Butler Hospital, the Providence VA Medical Center, and the University of Rhode Island.