Montréal, Quebec – 1 May 2014
Brain diseases, disorders and injuries represent a leading cause of disability in the Canadian population. Brain diseases are costly to patients, their families and care givers, communities and the healthcare system.
To address these challenges, our Government created the Canada Brain Research Fund in 2011 and is providing up to $100 million over six years (2011-2017), to support Canadian neuroscience research and advance knowledge and treatment of brain disease and mental disorders.
The Fund provides support to the Brain Canada Foundation, which raises matching funds from private donors and charitable contributions. The Brain Canada Foundation is a registered charity headquartered in Montréal and is the only national non-profit organization devoted to supporting all neuroscience research. This public-private partnership funding model is allowing the Government of Canada and non-governmental organizations involved in neuroscience research to stretch the dollars being used to improve the neurological and mental health of Canadians.
Government’s Collaboration with the Azrieli Foundation and Chagnon Family
On December 21, 2012, the Government of Canada, the Azrieli Foundation, the Chagnon Family and the Brain Canada Foundation announced $46 million in joint support for neuroscience research. The additional $3.25 million in funding announced today by the Azrieli Foundation, matched by the Government of Canada, brings the grand total to $52.5 million.
Azrieli Foundation Donations:
Today’s announcement of an additional $6.5 million toward the Azrieli Neurodevelopmental Program brings the total investment in this initiative to $15 million by 2017. The Government of Canada and the Azrieli Foundation are each contributing a total of $7.5 million and the National Bank is contributing $180,000. A portion of that funding is supporting four of the projects being announced today. The additional funding announced today will support future research projects with a special focus on Autism Spectrum Disorders and Fragile X syndrome.
The Chagnon Family Donations:
Contributions toward the Interventions for Prevention of Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders initiative total $37.5 million; the Government of Canada will invest $12.5 million until 2017, while the Chagnon Family have chosen to invest in the fund for an additional 5 years, so their $25 million investment will run until 2023.
The research project announced today represents the first under this initiative. Additional projects will be announced at a later date.
The Projects announced today:
Our Government is proud to announce today the following five neuroscience research projects that are part of the Canada Brain Research Fund:
Project name: Co-clinical trials in mice and humans in autism (through the Azrieli Neurodevelopmental Research Program)
Project value: $2.5 million, over five years ($1.25 million each from the Federal Government and the Azrieli Foundation with the Federal portion being spent in the first three years)
Implementing Partner: University of Toronto and Bloorview Research Institute
Project Description: Autism has been linked to many causes, but it has not been pinpointed to one particular cause. A co-clinical trial in mice and humans will utilize innovative new drugs to determine which treatments work best with which cause. Data from this co-clinical trial will allow the investigators to create personalized treatment plans to benefit patients with autism.
Project name: Structural and functional networks in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Fragile X Syndrome (through the Azrieli Neurodevelopmental Research Program)
Project value: $ 2.49 million over five years ($1.245 million each from the Federal Government and the Azrieli Foundation with the Federal portion being spent in the first three years)
Implementing Partner: McGill University
Project Description: Childhood disorders such as Autism and Fragile X Syndrome are due to abnormal growth and connections in the brain. The investigators will analyze imaging data from over 600 at-risk infants to develop the best imaging technique for identifying an early biomarker for Autism and Fragile X syndrome. Determination of this biomarker will suggest strategies for early intervention to reduce the impact of these disorders.
Project name: Correction of Neuronal Function in Autism (through the Azrieli Neurodevelopmental Research Program)
Project value: $ 2.46 million over five years ($1.23 million each from the Federal Government and the Azrieli Foundation with the Federal portion being spent in the first three years)
Implementing Partner: McMaster University
Project Description: Astrocytes are brain cells which manufacture substances to ensure proper communication to all brain cells. However, altered communication may lead to defects responsible for Autism. Using biological and genetic techniques to alter signalling and substances made by astrocytes could correct abnormal communication patterns in the brain, which in turn will lead to new treatment strategies for Autism.
Project name: Treatment strategies for Autism Spectrum Disorders and Fragile-X Syndrome using mouse models, via translational control modulators (through the Azrieli Neurodevelopmental Research Program)
Project value: $1.23 million over five years ($617,000 from the Federal Government, $437,500 from the Azrieli Foundation and $180,000 from the National Bank, with the Federal portion being spent in the first three years)
Implementing Partner: McGill University
Project Description: Abnormal protein synthesis has been thought to cause the development of Autism and Fragile X Disorder. Mouse models of Autism and Fragile X Disorder will be treated with gene therapy, optogenetics which uses light to control neurons, and innovative drugs to inhibit atypical protein synthesis. Developing new therapies to block aberrant protein synthesis may reverse the effects which cause Autism and Fragile X Disorder.
Project name: Prevention of Alzheimer’s Dementia (AD) in high risk population: A randomized controlled trial of a combination of cognitive training and brain stimulation (through the Interventions for Prevention of Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders Chagnon Family partnership)
Project value: $ 9.99 million over five years ($4.99 million each from the Federal Government and the Chagnon Family with the Federal portion being spent in the first three years)
Implementing Partner: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Project Description: Older persons who suffer from major depression are at a very high risk for developing Alzheimer disease. This project will study a novel intervention in older persons whose major depression has been successfully treated with an antidepressant medication. If certain medications are indeed beneficial in older persons with major depression, then they can be tested in the general population or in other non-depressed populations at high risk for AD, with the aim of using the treatment to cognitive decline and prevent the onset of AD.
