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DURHAM, N.C., Sept. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- NeuroCog Trials, Inc., the leading cognitive services provider for the clinical trials industry, today announced that it received a 2012 Phase II grant from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), for the validation and commercialization of its Virtual Reality Functional Capacity Assessment Tool (VRFCAT^©). The VRFCAT is a novel virtual reality measure that assesses patients' ability to navigate a variety of daily challenges using realistic, simulated environments.

The SBIR grant evaluation process considers the degree of innovation, qualifications of the principal investigator and other key staff, the soundness and technical merit of the proposal research, and the potential for commercial applications.  Special consideration is given to the originality of the proposal in solving technological challenges.  NeuroCog Trials had already successfully completed Phase I of this project involving the development of the VRFCAT in collaboration with Virtual Heroes, a division of Applied Research Associates.

Richard Keefe Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of NeuroCog Trials, said, "Following our early success with the VRFCAT, we set out to secure additional funding to support its validation and commercialization. We aim for the VRFCAT to be used as a reliable tool in clinical trials to measure changes in functional capacity associated with the pro-cognitive effects of novel drugs for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's disease and other diseases. Given the significant unmet need for such a measure, we are not surprised to have already received considerable interest in this innovative tool by our partners in the pharmaceutical industry."

Caren Gadigian, President of NeuroCog Trials, added, "The VRFCAT fits into our strategic growth plan involving the development of a cutting edge computerized assessment tool with a game-like feel to increase patient interest and adherence.  The VRFCAT expands our assessment portfolio from traditional paper and pencil neurocognitive measures and our Computerized Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (C-BACS) developed for the iPad^® platform, to now include this virtual reality tool."

About NeuroCog Trials
NeuroCog Trials Inc. is the leading cognition services company for the pharmaceutical industry.  For more than 10 years, NeuroCog Trials has provided consulting, site screening, rater training and certification, and data review services to more than 50 clinical trials in over 25 countries.  NeuroCog Trials has certified more than 4,000 neurocognitive testers and assured data quality for over 50,000 assessments across a variety of therapeutic areas, including schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and brain cancer.  Our mission is to facilitate the development of novel therapies to enhance cognition.  We bring to all of our work deep expertise, strategic innovation, and an unwavering commitment to research excellence.

For more information on NeuroCog Trials, its services, and licensing inquiries for its exclusive neuropsychological and functional capacity assessment batteries, please see www.neurocogtrials.com. 

NeuroCog Trials Press Contact: Dr. Richard Keefe, richard.keefe@neurocogtrials.com, 919.401.4642

About Virtual Heroes
The Virtual Heroes Division of Applied Research Associates creates collaborative immersive learning solutions for the healthcare, federal systems, and corporate training markets.  Advanced Learning Technologies (ALT) leverage simulation learning and digital games-based learning paradigms to accelerate learning, increase user proficiency, and reduce training costs.

For more information, please visit: www.humansim.com, www.virtualheroes.com, www.ara.com 

Virtual Heroes Press Contact: Jerry Heneghan, contact@humansim.com 919.582.3300

SOURCE NeuroCog Trials, Inc.