WASHINGTON, December 27, 2025 – A leadership shakeup is brewing at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with Dr. Walter Koroshetz, director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), set to depart his role in the coming days. This departure means that nearly half of the NIH’s 27 divisions will be operating under interim leadership, raising questions about the agency’s direction at a critical time for medical research.
Navigating Uncertainty at NIH: A Top Institute Loses Its Director
The unexpected exit of a key NIH leader throws the agency into a period of transition, impacting neurological research initiatives.
- Dr. Koroshetz’s request for reappointment was denied.
- His current extension ends Sunday, December 29, 2025.
- The departure leaves almost half of the NIH divisions without permanent leaders.
Koroshetz informed NINDS staff late Friday night that his request for reappointment had been denied, and his temporary extension is scheduled to conclude on Sunday. “There’s some possibility for a short term extension, but iffy at best,” he wrote in the email.
What does this leadership change mean for neurological research? The timing of Koroshetz’s departure is particularly noteworthy, as the NIH plays a pivotal role in funding and directing research into a wide range of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke. The uncertainty surrounding leadership could potentially slow down ongoing projects and hinder the development of new therapies.
The situation highlights broader challenges within the NIH, where securing long-term leadership has become increasingly difficult. The agency faces competition from the private sector and other government entities for top scientific talent. The lack of permanent leaders across a significant portion of the NIH divisions could impact the agency’s ability to respond effectively to emerging health threats and advance biomedical research.
Did you know? The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is a component of the NIH dedicated to understanding, preventing, and treating neurological disorders.
The impact of this leadership vacuum remains to be seen, but it underscores the importance of stable and effective leadership at the NIH to ensure continued progress in neurological research and public health.
