May 24, 2023 | London, Ontario | Health Canada
There are more than 1,000 brain diseases and disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and brain cancer, to name a few. Together, brain conditions represent one of the most pressing health challenges in Canada and around the world. The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of supporting the neuroscience community and its role in improving the brain health of Canadians.
Today, on behalf of the Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister for Health, Peter Fragiskatos, Member of Parliament for North Central London, announced that four grants will be awarded to Dr Emma G. Duerden of Western University, Dr Lisa Saksida from Western University, Dr. Sylvia Villeneuve from the Douglas Hospital Research Center and Dr. Signe Bray from the University of Calgary. This funding is made possible through Health Canada’s Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF) Program, which to date has committed a total federal investment of $200 million to the Brain Canada Foundation (Brain Canada) in support of brain health discoveries.
Awarded through Brain Canada’s 2021 Platform Support Grant Program, these projects are supported by Health Canada and supplemented by funding from Brain Canada’s sponsors, donors and partners. The projects will improve health outcomes for Canadians by using new approaches to develop treatments for neurological diseases and by establishing data sets to better understand how brain alterations, such as injuries, exposures, and genetics, put children and youth at risk of mental health and behavioral problems.
Quotes
“Supporting the neuroscience community and brain research plays a critical role in increasing our understanding of brain health conditions. By investing in projects like these, we are supporting innovation in neurotechnology that leads to tangible advances that support health.” of the brain in Canada to improve patient health outcomes.”
The Honorable Jean-Yves Duclos
Health Minister
“Better research means better brain health for everyone. The work of Dr. Duerden, Dr. Saksida, Dr. Villeneuve, and Dr. Bray will play an important role in advancing our knowledge of the brain and ultimately , will enhance Canada’s neuroscience research capacity.”
Pedro Fragiskatos
Member of Parliament for North Central London
“Platform funding programs play a crucial role in enabling innovation and cross-disciplinary collaboration in Canada and internationally. This is part of what makes Brain Canada an essential component of the brain research ecosystem in this country, we enable transformative platforms, which are essential to address changing research needs.”
Dr. Viviane Poupon
President and CEO of Brain Canada
Fast facts
- Through the 2011, 2016, 2019 budgets and a subsequent refunding in 2021, the Government of Canada has committed a total of $200 million to Brain Canada through the CBRF Program, to support Canadian neuroscience research with the greatest potential. to lead to scientific discoveries that advance therapies and approaches to better understand the brain and brain health. Brain Canada, the sole beneficiary of this grant program, works in partnership with a variety of donors from the private, public and charitable sectors to provide competitive funding for research across Canada.
- Brain Canada shapes its research priorities by engaging with the neuroscience community and bringing together research stakeholders to discuss and promote key brain health issues and opportunities in the healthcare sector. Its unique programs, including capacity building, platform, and team awards, are designed to fill gaps identified by stakeholders to increase research capacity and strategically advance the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and other brain conditions.