NorTrials Brain Health

Introduction

NorTrials Brain Health encompasses a broad field of expertise that includes neurological diseases with a focus on multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease, dementia, stroke, headache, epilepsy, and brain cancer, as well as psychiatric disorders with a focus on psychosis and mood disorders. Additionally, it encompasses sleep disorders and conditions within paediatric neurology. Although we focus on these topics, the centre aims to facilitate clinical trials across the entire field of brain health

The NorTrials centre aims to provide a prompt and reliable response to industry inquiries promoting for participation in clinical trials. The goal is to include Norwegian hospitals in relevant studies to ensure that the participating centres deliver the expected number of patients and quality according to agreements with sponsors. This will market Norway as a reliable partner for clinical trials and promote increased Norwegian participation in international clinical treatment trials.

Organization

The NorTrials Brain Health centre is located at the Department for Research and Development at Haukeland University Hospital, in close collaboration with Neuro-SysMed (Centre of Excellence for Clinical Treatment Research) and the Clinical Research Unit for Children and Adults. The centre has broad expertise and long experience in clinical treatment trials evaluating new medications, rehabilitation and medical devices, and will facilitate the participation in trials at hospitals with the right expertise and access to relevant patient populations.

Patient Population

According to the Norwegian Directorate of Health (2017), one in three people in Norway will develop a brain disease during their lifetime. The centre aims to facilitate the recruitment of hospitals and patients for clinical studies across Norway, with a total population of 5.5 million.

Network

NorTrials Brain Health has established a nationwide network of experts in each disease area, both at university hospitals and local hospitals. This ensures a rapid response to requests for study participation.

"Through these networks, we will be able to collaborate to ensure swift and effective inclusion in studies involving participation from Norwegian hospitals. In all disease areas, there is experience in conducting both pharmaceutical industry and academic treatment studies, from phase I-IV studies, although predominantly from phase III studies," explains centre lead Kjell-Morten Myhr.