The Institute for Translational Neuroscience (ITN) was formed in 2007 out of a Presidential initiative to promote, across the University, the transfer of discoveries in the basic neurosciences to the clinics. ITN is not a bricks-and-mortar entity but an umbrella organization that is scientifically organized around five founding centers/institutes. Administratively, a Director and a Steering Committee head ITN, with the Director reporting to the Vice President for Health Sciences.  ITN's mission is to enhance basic science discovery with new knowledge leading to subsequent clinical trials and establishment of new therapeutic principles or tools. It will create a corridor of discovery and application that leverages the strengths across the University in basic neuroscience, imaging and other interdisciplinary resources. ITN is a unique institute in that it encompasses a number of existing centers and institutes as well as academic departments.