The case for an Australian national neurosciences trial network

Currently the majority of neurological clinical trials are initiated by industry. Their purpose is largely promotional. There is a need for conducting investigator-initiated trials, which are disease oriented, and try to answer questions related to problems in diagnosis, investigation and therapy, in addition to the comparative benefits individual preparations. Head to head studies of new drugs also need consideration, as the majority of trials leading to Government approval are not necessarily designed to answer questions of clinical concern. A uniform procedure to correct this situation may represent a positive step in enhancing the stature and quality of neurological research in Australia, at no significant loss of funding for the investigator.