The CTN operates under a cooperative agreement between
academic research institutions and the National Institute
on Drug Abuse (NIDA). It includes a collaborative
group of geographically diversified nodes working
to conduct multi-site trials on behavioral, pharmacological
or integrated treatments. The nodes are a functional
unit within the CTN consisting of a Regional Research
and Training Center (RRTC), coordinating or data centers,
and Community Treatment Programs. The RRTC is the
recipient of the award and the CTP’s are drug
abuse treatment programs where research can be conducted.
The mission of the CTN is to conduct studies of behavioral,
pharmacological and integrated behavioral and pharmacological
treatment interventions of therapeutic effect in rigorous,
multi-site clinical trials to determine effectiveness
across a broad range of community based treatment
settings and diversified patient populations and to
transfer, in a timely fashion, the research results
to clinicians, providers, their patients and the policy
makers to improve the quality of drug abuse treatment
throughout the country using science as a vehicle.
In short, to bridge the gap between research and treatment.
The benefits of the Clinical Trials Network, aside
from integration of science into practice, is the
bi-directionality of information exchange between
research and clinical practice, with each area enhancing
the overall quality of the other.
What is The Mid-Atlantic Node?
The Mid-Atlantic Node of the Clinical Trial Network
is comprised of two academic institutions, two data
management centers, and nine Community Treatment Programs
(CTP’s). The recipient of the cooperative grant
award is Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the RRTC,
of the node. The RRTC provides a core of administrative
and study operations as well as scientific leadership,
principal investigator of the grant, and management
of the trials being conducted at the CTP’s.
Johns Hopkins University also serves as the funding
center for seven of the CTP’s and oversees all
protocols being conducted at those sites. Virginia
Commonwealth University (VCU) serves as the sponsoring
center for two of our CTP’s and oversees the
research that is conducted at both locations. VCU
also serves as lead on all dissemination projects
conducted throughout the MA Node and home of faculty
leadership for the node.
Currently, the MA Node is working with two data management
centers on protocols being conducted in our node.
Innovative Medical Research is serving our needs on
the Motivational Incentives protocol as closeout procedures
begin and Kaiser Foundation Research Institute is
our data center for all remaining protocols being
performed in the node.
We are also fortunate to receive faculty and scientific
leadership from various outside sources, such as Friends
Research Institute and Drexel University.
The Mid-Atlantic node is hosting nine community treatment
programs that extend throughout Maryland, Virginia,
and Washington D.C. Currently research is being conducted
at every CTP within our node. For further information
on each CTP, please refer the CTP webpage.
Mid-Atlantic
Collaborative Group