The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is one of the institutes and centers that make up the National Institutes of Health, an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
NIH is the primary federal agency that conducts and supports basic, clinical and translational medical research. The institute investigates the prevention, diagnosis, causes, treatments and cures for both common and rare diseases.
Mission
NIAMS' mission is to support the research of arthritis, musculoskeletal and skin diseases. The institute also disseminates information on research progress in these diseases. NIAMS supports and conducts basic, clinical, translational and epidemiologic research and research training at universities and medical centers.
The institute also conducts and supports basic research on the normal structure and function of bones, joints, muscles, and skin. Basic research involves a wide variety of scientific disciplines, including immunology, genetics, molecular biology, structural biology, biochemistry, physiology, virology, and pharmacology. Clinical research includes rheumatology, orthopedics, dermatology, metabolic bone diseases, heritable disorders of bone and cartilage, inherited and inflammatory muscle diseases, and sports and rehabilitation medicine.
Legislative chronology
August 1950—An arthritis program was established within the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases under Public Law 81-692.
May 1972—P.L. 92-305 renamed the institute the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases.
1973—Senator Alan Cranston introduced legislation that would eventually lead to the National Arthritis Act. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Congressman Paul Rogers.
January 1975—The National Arthritis Act (P.L. 93-640) established the National Commission on Arthritis and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases to study the problem of arthritis and to develop an arthritis plan. The act established the position of associate director for arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases and authorized an interagency arthritis coordinating committee; community demonstration project grants; an arthritis data bank; an information clearinghouse; and comprehensive centers for research, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education.
April 1976—After a year of study and public hearings, the commission issued a comprehensive plan aimed at diminishing the physical, economic and psychosocial effects of arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases. It laid the groundwork for a national program encompassing research, research training, education and patient care.
October 1976—The Arthritis, Diabetes, and Digestive Diseases Amendments of 1976 (P.L. 94-562) established the National Arthritis Advisory Board to review and evaluate the implementation of the Arthritis Plan, prepared in response to the National Arthritis Act (P.L. 93-640).
December 1980—P.L. 96-538 changed the name of the institute to the National Institute of Arthritis, Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
1982—HHS conferred bureau status on the institute, resulting in the creation of the Division of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the appointment of a Division Director.
November 1985—The Health Research Extension Act of 1985, P.L. 99–158, established the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases to increase research emphasis. The legislation provided for the development of a plan for a national arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases program and established two interagency coordinating committees, one on arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases and one on skin diseases. It also expanded the activities of the National Arthritis Advisory Board to include these diseases.
September 1993—The NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (P.L. 103–43) directed NIAMS to establish "an information clearinghouse on osteoporosis and related bone disorders to facilitate and enhance knowledge and understanding on the part of health professionals, patients, and the public through the effective dissemination of information."
October 2000—The Children's Health Act of 2000 (P.L. 106–310) directed NIAMS to expand and intensify research programs on juvenile arthritis and related conditions, in coordination with other NIH Institutes and the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases Interagency Coordinating Committee. The institute directed to include resources on juvenile arthritis and associated conditions in its clearinghouse.
November 2000—The Lupus Research and Care Amendments of 2000, which passed as part of the Public Health Improvement Act (P.L. 106–505), required NIAMS to expand and intensify research and related activities regarding lupus. Among other provisions, the bill called for information and education programs.
December 2001—The Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research, and Education Amendments of 2001, or the MD-CARE Act (P.L. 107–84), called on several components of the NIH, including the NIAMS, to enhance research on muscular dystrophy, including establishing centers of excellence.
February 2003—The Omnibus Appropriations Act for FY 2003 (P.L. 108–7) directed Office of the Secretary, HHS, to establish a federal working group on lupus for the purpose of exchanging information and coordinating federal efforts regarding lupus research and education initiatives. NIAMS led this federal working group. The group has representatives from all relevant HHS agencies and other federal departments.
October 2008—The Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research, and Education (MD-CARE) Amendments of 2008 (P.L. 110–361) officially named the related centers of excellence after the senator. In addition, the Muscular Dystrophy Coordinating Committee was authorized to give special consideration to enhance the clinical research infrastructure to test emerging therapies.
September 2014—The Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research and Education (MD-CARE) Amendments of 2014 (P.L. 113–166) made several changes to the program's authorization, including expanding the types of muscular dystrophy for which NIH must conduct research, expanding the membership of the MDCC and requiring it to meet two times each year, and expanding the items to be covered in the Action Plan for the Muscular Dystrophies.
{| class="wikitable"
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! !! Portrait !! Name !! Term start !! Term end !!
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| 1 || 70px || Lawrence E. Shulman || April 1986 || October 31, 1994 ||
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
| Acting || 70px || Michael D. Lockshin || November 1, 1994 || July 31, 1995 ||
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| 2 || 70px || Stephen I. Katz || August 1, 1995 || December 20, 2018 ||
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
| Acting || 70px || Robert H. Carter || December 21, 2018 || February 15, 2021 ||
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| 3 || 70px || Lindsey A. Criswell || February 16, 2021 || Present ||
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Table Notes:
Programs
The NIAMS supports a multidisciplinary program of basic, clinical, and translational investigations; epidemiologic research; research centers; and research training for scientists within its own facilities as well as grantees at universities and medical schools nationwide. It also supports the dissemination of research results and information through the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse and through the NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center.
The NIAMS Extramural Program supports research supports research via grants and contracts in the Division of Extramural Research. Researchers pursue a wide array of basic, translational, and clinical research and research training in the fields of rheumatology, muscle biology, orthopedics, bone and mineral metabolism, and dermatology through these programs.
The Intramural Research Program of the NIAMS conducts innovative basic, translational, and clinical research relevant to the health concerns of the institute and provides training for investigators interested in careers in these areas. The ultimate goals are: 1) to provide new insights into the normal function of immune cells, bones, muscles, and skin, and diseases that affect them, especially immune and inflammatory diseases; and 2) to generate a cadre of well-trained investigators to continue toward a complete understanding of these structures and the disease conditions that affect them adversely.