Stem cell agency launches research into mental health disorders

California launched a $111 million research program last week aimed at developing genetic tools and treatments to help the millions of persons afflicted with mental disorders ranging from autism to schizophrenia.

The action came amid news that nine out of 10 Californians believe that a mental health crisis exists in the US, according to a public opinion poll, also last week. The issue is longstanding with California voters, who said four years ago that mental health was the No. 1 health issue for the state.

The new California research program, dubbed ReMIND, is the largest such concerted effort in the nation. It was approved unanimously on Sept. 28 by directors of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), as the $12 billion state stem cell and gene therapy program is officially known.

(ReMIND stands for “Research using Multidisciplinary, Innovative approaches in Neuro Diseases.”)

Creation of genetic treatments for mental illness or other neurological afflictions has generated “considerable enthusiasm” in the biomedical world, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. “Making the untreatable treatable: the promise of gene-based therapies for neurological disorders” was a headline on its website last month.

“Effective treatments for neuropsychiatric diseases remain a significant unmet medical need in California, the U.S. and the world,” said Rosa Canet-Avilés, vice president of scientific programs and education at CIRM.

The new California research program, dubbed ReMIND, is the largest such concerted effort in the nation.

Neuropsychiatric diseases, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and mood disorders, affect about one in five Americans, or more than 57.8 million people across the nation. “Major gaps” exist in the understanding of the basic disease processes in the brain, according to the stem cell agency. The voids hinder progress in developing therapies for such things as mental disorders.

The multi-year ReMIND initiative, the agency said, is aimed at speeding up the work. It would identify “novel targets and biomarkers” that can be used to provide “new avenues and rigorous foundations for future translational and clinical investigations.”

CIRM is not promising therapies tomorrow or even in the next few years. The research is basic but targeted, however, which may speed the development of treatments that will reach the general population. Because of the complexity of the research and to help break down research silos, CIRM is requiring the creation of multidisciplinary teams as part of the research awards.

ReMIND is an outgrowth of Proposition 14 of 2020, which saved CIRM from financial extinction with a $5.5 billion infusion. The ballot initiative directed CIRM to spend $1.5 billion for research into the entire spectrum of neuro diseases. The initiative cited Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, dementia, epilepsy, depression, brain cancer, schizophrenia and autism as examples to be funded.

The neuropsychiatric awards program was developed over the past nine months by a task force of the agency’s 35 directors led by Larry Goldstein, a stem cell researcher at the University of California at San Diego. He is not eligible for any CIRM awards.

CIRM has funded research on neuro diseases since it was created in 2004 by Proposition 71, another ballot initiative. But CIRM’s neuropsychiatric task force found a void in funding research into neuropsychiatric disorders.

“The ReMIND program is part of a deliberate drive at CIRM to support multidisciplinary discovery research as a way to catalyze innovation, especially in areas of large potential impact,” Canet-Avilés said.

Goldstein’s task force is scheduled to dissect other neuro disease areas in the coming months to target other areas that may be ready for a multimillion-dollar cash stimulus.

As for ReMIND, CIRM expects to approve the initial awards in June of next year after drawing up a request for applications, preparation of the pitches by applicants and review of the proposals. The agency will require the research to begin no more than 120 days later.

If CIRM makes significant headway with the program, it could help to convince voters to refinance the agency in about nine years when its current funding runs out. After nearly 19 years, none of the research CIRM has backed with billions has led to a stem cell therapy that is available to the general public.

Jensen is a retired newspaper editor and has written about the state stem cell agency since 2005 in his newsletter, The California Stem Cell Report. He is also the author of the book, “California’s Great Stem Cell Experiment.”