Bill > S637

This bill, titled the Collaborative Academic Research Efforts for Tourette Syndrome Act of 2013, aims to enhance and coordinate research and programs related to Tourette syndrome within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a leading federal agency for biomedical and public health research. The legislation mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Director of the NIH, must expand, intensify, and coordinate NIH's efforts concerning Tourette syndrome. Key provisions include establishing a system to collect comprehensive data on Tourette syndrome, including its incidence, prevalence, and related conditions, and to track the availability of medical and social services by population and geographical region. Furthermore, the bill proposes the creation of four to six Centers of Excellence across different U.S. regions, which will conduct basic and clinical research into the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of Tourette syndrome, including areas like genetics and psychopharmacology. These centers may also develop programs to inform individuals about research participation and provide referrals and necessary costs for research subjects. The bill also calls for competitive grants for research specifically on the diverse symptoms of Tourette syndrome and the effectiveness of treatments for different patient groups, and it requires a designated portion of NIH's available funds to be allocated for Tourette syndrome initiatives.