The exit of the neuroscience director leaves half of the NIH’s institutes under interim management, raising concerns over institutional stability.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is experiencing heightened volatility following the announced departure of Dr. Walter Koroshetz, Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). His exit, set for January 24, means that 14 of the NIH’s 27 specialized units will be operating without permanent leadership.
A controversial departure
Dr. Koroshetz joined the NIH in 2007 and has led the NINDS for a decade, spearheading major cross-institute initiatives to advance human brain research. Internal communications suggest that the agency declined to reappoint him, a move that has sparked significant backlash from the medical community.
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Professional outcry: The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) voiced “significant concern” over the abrupt decision, citing a lack of consultation with key stakeholders and the absence of a transparent succession plan.
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Research implications: As a primary funder for central nervous system research, the lack of stable leadership at NINDS could jeopardize the advancement of life-saving medical discoveries.
Broader institutional shifts
The leadership vacuum at NINDS is part of a larger trend of restructuring and downsizing across agencies under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Other notable directors have also been denied reappointment over the past year.
Biotech industry leaders and medical alliances have warned that this “unprecedented turmoil” at federal agencies like the NIH and FDA threatens public health. There are growing fears that constant leadership turnover will discourage investment in domestic innovation and undermine the nation’s long-standing global leadership in biotechnology.