MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Welcome to the first edition of NeuroScience Canada’s newsletter, NeuroEcho, featuring “echoes” of the latest developments at NeuroScience Canada. In this issue, we are delighted to share the results of our second Brain Repair Program competition: two teams have been selected to each receive $1.5 million over the next three years to fast-track their research in areas relevant to a number of brain and nervous system disorders. This brings the total to five teams funded through the Brain Repair Program since the launch in 2003.

We also provide updates on our other research programs, including a special recognition of Barbara Turnbull, our valued partner on the Barbara Turnbull Foundation for Spinal Cord Research and an Honorary Director; and details about our progress with our public awareness and advocacy activities, most notably, the four roundtable sessions that were held in Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto from March to May. Through these roundtable sessions, NeuroScience Canada has consulted with a range of stakeholders on how a coalition of groups representing the various brain and nervous system disorders would be able to more effectively reach governments and the general public with a common set of messages about the prevalence and impact of these disorders, and the need to increase funding for research and improve patient care.

2006 was an eventful year for NeuroScience Canada and we celebrated those results, and our continued progress in early 2007, with our friends and supporters at our Annual General Meeting, reception and dinner on May 23rd. I am especially pleased to inform you that at that meeting, the Hon. Michael J. L. Kirby was elected Chair of the NeuroScience Canada Partnership and NeuroScience Canada Foundation. Mr. Kirby has had a distinguished career in academia, business and at both levels of government, his last appointment as a member of the Senate of Canada, and Chairman of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. He has received much praise for leading a major study on mental health and mental illness in Canada, which paved the way for the creation of the Canadian Mental Health Commission in March 2007. We thank Mr. Kirby for having made this important commitment to our future success. 

I wish you a safe and happy summer, and a very positive start to the fall. Until the next issue of NeuroEcho, you can keep updated on our activities by visiting our website: www.neurosciencecanada.ca

HIGHLIGHTS OF RESEARCH PROGRAMS

Second Brain Repair Program competition

Thanks to the generosity of the T. Robert Beamish family, which made a $1.5-million commitment through the WB Family Foundation, and to partnered funding from the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) – Institute of Aging and the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation, who respectively provided $500,000 and $350,000, NeuroScience Canada was able to launch the second Brain Repair Program competition in 2006. Through this process, two additional teams were selected for funding in June 2007. 

1. Mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal demise: Insights provided by Parkinson’s disease genes

This research project, led by Dr. Louis-Eric Trudeau from Université de Montréal, focuses on Parkinson’s disease. In Parkinson’s, brain cells called neurons containing the neurotransmitter dopamine degenerate, leading to a dramatic and irreversible perturbation of the function of brain systems involved in motor control. Although the causes of this disease are not yet completely understood, the last few years have witnessed the discovery of a number of genetic dysfunctions leading to the production of abnormal proteins in the brain of affected individuals.

The goal of Dr. Trudeau and his team is to attempt to explain why these genetic perturbations lead to the death of dopamine-containing neurons. The major lead followed by this team, is that all of these abnormal proteins end up, one way or another, affecting tiny but abundant organelles called mitochondria, found inside neurons. Dysfunction of these mitochondria would then lead to perturbations of neuronal physiology and to the generation of cell death signals. Similar signals are thought to be activated in other neurodegenerative diseases. To tackle this challenging objective, the team unites two investigators that are specialized in the molecular biology of neurodegenerative diseases (Dr. Edward Fon, Montreal Neurological Institute; and Dr. David S. Park, University of Ottawa), one investigator specialized in the genetics of neuronal development (Dr. Yong Rao, Centre for Research in Neuroscience), one mitochondria scientist (Dr. Heidi McBride, Ottawa Heart Research Institute) and one expert in the physiology of dopamine neurons (Dr. Louis-Eric Trudeau, Université de Montréal).

This multidisciplinary team of scientists will combine their efforts with the objective of identifying mechanisms that will become novel targets for the development of new treatments for Parkinson’s disease, but also for a number of other degenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s and stroke that also implicate the abnormal demise of neurons in the brain.

2. Harnessing beneficial aspects of neuroinflammation for regenerating the central nervous system

This research project focuses on the immune system, which is comprised of two major components, the innate and adaptive systems. Innate immunity is the first immune component to sense and respond to an injury. Indeed, a well-regulated innate immune response is a normal physiological process that is essential for functions such as wound healing and defense against foreign substances. Within the central nervous system (CNS), microglia are the resident cell population belonging to the innate immune system. Under conditions of CNS injury, another innate immune cell type, the macrophage, accesses the brain and spinal cord. The initial emphasis was on the role that such activated innate immune cells play in promoting the disease process in conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. Only more recently is there attention on the contribution of the innate immune system in improving the well being of the CNS. Indeed, this research team postulates that a well-regulated immune reactivity in the CNS can enable repair of the nervous system.

This research project, led by Dr. V. Wee Yong from the University of Calgary, is composed of: Dr. Luanne Metz, University of Calgary; Dr. Christopher Power, University of Alberta; Dr. Peter Stys, University of Calgary; Dr. Fiona Costello, University of Calgary; and Dr. Serge Rivest, Université Laval. They seek to define the conditions under which physiologic neuroinflammation enables recovery, and to harness the beneficial aspects of innate neuroinflammation to allow the regeneration of the CNS from insults. This approach is transformational, as it promises to deliver new means to enabling CNS regeneration. These experiments are relevant to promoting recovery from several neurological disorders, including stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Celebrating 5 years of partnership with the Barbara Turnbull Foundation

The 2006 Barbara Turnbull Award for Spinal Cord Research marked five years of partnership between the Barbara Turnbull Foundation and NeuroScience Canada, and with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)–Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA). In recognition of this valued partnership, and of the inspiration that Barbara Turnbull has provided as the champion of this award, NeuroScience Canada made a special presentation to Ms. Turnbull during the CIHR-INMHA annual meeting dinner on May 22 in Toronto. The President of NeuroScience Canada, Inez Jabalpurwala, spoke about Ms. Turnbull’s remarkable courage and strength, and of her profound devotion to improving the lives of the estimated 41,000 people currently living with spinal cord injuries. She said Ms. Turnbull is an inspiration to all Canadians, but her message of hope especially touches those working to advance neuroscience research, reminding us that the goal of research is to benefit patients. NeuroScience Canada was also delighted to learn that the following month, Barbara Turnbull received an honorary doctorate from the University of Toronto, for her dedication to spinal cord research and inspiring achievements over the past two decades.

On May 23^rd, the past recipients of the Barbara Turnbull Award for Spinal Cord Research presented their research at a special session during the CIHR-INMHA annual meeting. They highlighted the range of expertise and disciplines that are needed to treat, and one day cure, the thousands of Canadians with spinal cord injuries, and the millions more with other central nervous system disorders. Recipients of this award have focused on the basic level of cell repair, to rehabilitation and developing devices to improve the lives of patients. The recipients are: Dr. David Kaplan, Hospital for Sick Children (2002); Dr. Mohamad Sawan, École Polytechnique de Montréal (2003); Dr. Joseph Culotti, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute (2005); and Dr. Pierre Drapeau, Université de Montréal (2006). The 2004 recipient, Dr. David Bennett, at the University of Alberta, was unable to attend.

Alberta Initiative—Homelessness study

The Alberta Initiative was developed in partnership with the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR). Its purpose is to retain excellent young neuroscience researchers at three Alberta universities: University of Calgary, University of Alberta and University of Lethbridge. 

Through this program, NeuroScience Canada provided $75,000 to support a research project led by Dr. James R. Dunn and Dr. Paula Goering: Feasibility Study for a Two-City Demonstration of Supportive Housing for Individuals with Severe Mental Illness. Drs. Goering and Dunn are undertaking a pilot study in the Toronto and Calgary on the effects of supportive housing on people with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI). Of particular interest is the effect of supportive housing on future housing stability, quality of life, functioning, symptoms and healthcare utilization for people with SPMI. This project will evaluate the “Housing First” model, which promotes the position that for many people with SPMI, stable housing is a precondition to participating successfully in psychiatric treatment and dealing with addictions.

In April 2007, Drs. Dunn and Goering reported that they have completed a literature review, successfully established interdisciplinary research teams, enlisted housing and support service agencies, and completed the feasibility assessments in Toronto and Calgary. They have completed three reports for the field which include their study findings, and they have three manuscripts in preparation that will be submitted for publication. There is a high level of interest and commitment to move forward, and the team is seeking additional funding to expand on their research.

PUBLIC AWARENESS AND ADVOCACY

Roundtables

While NeuroScience Canada’s primary focus and commitment is to support research directly, our experience has shown that neuroscience disorders, which have a greater economic impact than cancer or cardiac illnesses, are much less well understood by key decision-makers and by the public. To remedy this situation, NeuroScience Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Association for Neuroscience (CAN), the Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation (CNSF), the Canadian Brain and Nerve Health Coalition (CBANHC), and the Barbara Turnbull Foundation, worked with the Public Policy Forum to hold roundtable sessions in four Canadian cities. The roundtables brought together key stakeholders in neuroscience, as well as policy-decision-makers and elected officials, and engaged them in thoughtful dialogue on how best to create the public policy framework needed to support research into neurological and psychiatric diseases and their impact.  The sessions took place in Ottawa (March), Calgary and Vancouver (early May) and Toronto (end of May).

The Public Policy Forum is now preparing a report of the four roundtable discussions. They will highlight the key messages that emerged, as well as recommendations about how the coalition would be most effective in disseminating our common messages to governments and the general public. Prior to finalizing the report, the Public Policy Forum will conduct a series of one-on-one interviews with government officials and policy experts, in order to solicit their reactions to the findings and further refine the recommendations.

The final report will be available in August 2007 on our website: http://www.neurosciencecanada.ca/en/Roundtable_Discussions

Release of Impact study on Neurological disease, disorders and injuries in Canada

The Impact Study was produced by the Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation (CNSF) and the Canadian Brain and Nerve Health Coalition (CBANHC) – of which NeuroScience Canada is a member – in collaboration with the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). The study measures the incidence, prevalence, economic and social impact of neurological diseases, disorders and injuries in Canada. The report also provides important information to key stakeholders and decision-makers in Canada who are responsible for building a long-term national strategy for neurological sciences in the areas of clinical care and research. 

The report highlights 11 neurological conditions for which sufficient data was available, including: Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), brain tumours, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, head injury, headaches, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, spinal injuries, stroke. The report also provides a short summary of the current literature on an additional 20 neurological conditions. 

The purpose of the report is to improve understanding of the epidemiology and the impact of selected neurological conditions on the Canadian health care system and society. The report provides an estimate of the direct and indirect costs, disability-adjusted life years and hospital utilization associated with these conditions, using available data sources. This work is intended to serve as a baseline for information about the burden of neurological conditions across the country and to provide a foundation for future research in this area.

The key findings include:

• Neurological conditions represent not just a great burden for patients and their families, but a considerable economic impact for society as a whole: indirect costs accounted for an estimated $6.5 billion in 2000-2001, or almost three quarters of total costs of the neurological conditions in the study.
  
  
• Stroke has the highest direct costs, estimated at $665 million annually in 2000-2001, followed by Alzheimer’s disease ($431 million) and headaches ($411 million).
  
  
• Stroke has the largest indirect costs, estimated at $2.1 billion annually, followed by Alzheimer’s disease ($1 billion), multiple sclerosis ($811 million) and brain tumours ($805 million).
  
  
• Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, headache, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke accounted for over 500,000 lost years of healthy life. This new information tells us that neurological conditions are not just costly from an economic perspective, but also place a heavy burden on the health of the Canadian population as a whole.
  

The report was released June 22^nd at the 2007 Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation (CNSF) Congress, and can be found on our website: http://www.neurosciencecanada.ca/en/PublicationsEn

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

NeuroScience Canada held its second Annual General Meeting, reception and dinner on May 23, 2007, at the Pantages Hotel in Toronto. We chose this date to coincide with the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)–Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA), and with the first Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Neuroscience (CAN). This was an excellent opportunity to reach out to neuroscience stakeholders, from researchers to disease-specific voluntary health organizations to interested members of the public. The meeting brought together about 100 prominent leaders from the business, science and philanthropic communities. 

During the meeting, representatives of NeuroScience Canada’s Board and its committees provided highlights of 2006, and a preview of the activities already underway in 2007. Representatives of the first three Brain Repair Program teams presented reports of their progress after two years of funding, and answered questions from the audience.

The first recipient of the Dr. Hubert van Tol Travel Fellowship was also announced: Long-Jun Wu, PhD. The fellowship will allow PhD students and postdoctoral fellows performing research as part of a Brain Repair Program team to attend a major international conference/symposium or training course outside of Canada. Dr. Wu will be attending a conference entitled Imaging Structure & Function in the Nervous System in Cold Spring Harbor, USA, between July 24 and August 13. Dr. Monica Seger-van Tol presented Mr. Long-Jun Wu with his award at a special ceremony.

At the dinner that followed our Annual General Meeting, NeuroScience Canada recognized the T. Robert Beamish Family (WB Family Foundation), whose generous gift of $1.5-million enabled us to launch the second Brain Repair Program competition.

The evening ended with a special presentation by Dr. Steven E. Hyman, Provost of Harvard University and Professor of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School, and former Director of the National Institute of Mental Health in the United States. Dr. Hyman is a distinguished scholar and a prominent speaker and panelist. In his presentation, Dr. Hyman very effectively conveyed that neurology and psychiatry have, for much of the past century, been separated by an artificial barrier created by the divergence of their philosophical approaches and research and treatment methods, but that scientific advances in recent decades have shown that this division is arbitrary and counterproductive. He reinforced NeuroScience Canada’s message that an interdisciplinary approach will greatly advance our understanding of brain diseases and behavior.

AstraZeneca Canada and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP graciously provided sponsorship funds to offset some of the costs of this event.

If you have any comments or questions about the content of this issue, please contact us.