Advancing Health Research Solutions in Saskatchewan
$2.7 Million Invested to Advance Health Research Solutions in Saskatchewan
Research leads to better health care, healthier communities and brighter futures.
Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF), Brain Canada, Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation (JPCHF), Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan (ASOS) and Lung Saskatchewan are proud to share that we’re investing $2.7 million in peer-reviewed, home-grown research solutions addressing Saskatchewan’s most urgent health challenges.
SHRF’s Solutions Program aims to mobilize Saskatchewan’s research ecosystem by focusing and coordinating diverse skills and perspectives to tackle pressing problems affecting our health. In this program, SHRF works closely with our partners to provide competitive, peer-reviewed research funding to interdisciplinary teams, including knowledge users and people with lived experience. Together, these teams develop and implement innovations that address real needs identified by stakeholders and fuel efforts to translate research knowledge into tangible benefits for people in Saskatchewan, and ultimately all Canadians.
Two types of grants are offered in the Solutions Program, ranging from $50K to $150K per team. These grants are designed to support teams at various stages of their research – from catalyzing creative problem-solving with innovative ideas to advancing promising research into practical, real-world applications.
This round of recipients features 23 projects from interdisciplinary research teams working with a variety of community organizations, healthcare providers and patients in the focus areas of:
$1 Million Invested with Brain Canada
SHRF and Brain Canada collaborated to bring brain health to the forefront as the focus area for Solutions. Brain health is essential for physical health and a fundamental prerequisite for mental health and well-being throughout our lives. From promoting optimal brain development and cognitive health throughout the lifespan, to preventing, diagnosing, and treating numerous neurological conditions, research on brain health is an exciting frontier and holds great promise for solutions that will both improve lives and reduce the healthcare burden.
The SHRF-Brain Canada Funded Projects:
A Clinical Blood Test to Identify Aggressive and Early-Onset Forms of Parkinson’s Disease
Led by Christopher Phenix (University of Saskatchewan)
Impact Grant: $150,000
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Enzymes are proteins responsible for metabolism and chemical reactions required by all living cells. In some diseases, certain enzymes can dysfunction contributing to disease pathology. Patients who have serious forms of Parkinson’s appear to have low levels of GCase, an enzyme that breaks down specific fats in all human cells.
This project aims to develop a diagnostic blood test that can accurately measure levels of GCase in blood samples of Parkinson’s patients. If successful, this test could help identify patients with aggressive forms of Parkinson’s and be used as a powerful tool to help guide the development of important new therapies designed to boost GCase activity to slow disease progression. This research, pioneered in Saskatchewan, could establish our province as a world leader towards the development of a simple blood test for Parkinson’s disease while also providing critical insight into the biological risk factors for developing early onset aggressive forms of Parkinson’s disease.
Led by Sarah Donkers (University of Saskatchewan) and Katherine Knox (University of Saskatchewan)
Innovation Grant: $50,000
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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, leading to loss of nerve function without a cure. Acute intermittent hypoxia is a non-invasive treatment that involves alternating episodes of breathing air with normal ambient oxygen with short periods of oxygen-reduced air. Recent research in Saskatchewan has discovered that acute intermittent hypoxia may help improve brain health in an animal model of MS. This same treatment has also shown benefits for some people living with spinal cord injuries. Scientists are now studying whether acute intermittent hypoxia can help people in the early stages of MS. However, no one has yet tested this approach in people in the later stages of MS who often have few treatment options.
Our study will be the first to explore acute intermittent hypoxia for brain health inclusive of people living with advanced MS.
Exercise and Rehabilitation in the Community for People Living with Chronic Neurological Conditions
Led by Cameron Mang (University of Regina)
Impact Grant: $150,000
Read more about this project
It is well-established that exercise and physical rehabilitation is beneficial for people with neurological conditions, even years after a diagnosis. But the barriers to participation in physical activity are high. Community programming may facilitate participation in physical activity, but after hospital discharge, there are few available services for people with neurological conditions.
This study will evaluate a real-world exercise and rehabilitation program for community-dwelling people with neurological conditions. We will focus on how effective the program is at improving movement abilities while also considering outcomes like: How many people are participating? What healthcare providers referred people? How much does it cost to deliver? Some research also suggests that exercise and rehabilitation can influence psychology and personality characteristics that are important to recovery, like resilience, hope, and self-efficacy. We will look to see if changes in ‘personal factors’ occur in our work. Findings will support delivery of high-quality community-based exercise and rehabilitation for broad impact, spanning physical function and personal well-being.
Exploring Hypothalamus Stimulation as a New Treatment for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Led by Justin Botterill (University of Saskatchewan)
Impact Grant: $150,000
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Epilepsy is a severe neurological disorder that affects approximately 300,000 Canadians. Anti-seizure medications are the main treatment strategy for patients with epilepsy, but 1 in every 3 patients experience drug-resistant epilepsy. Therefore, a major goal of our research is to identify new and effective treatment strategies for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.
Preliminary data from our laboratory has found that a brain region known as the hypothalamus influences seizure frequency in mouse models of epilepsy. In the present study, we plan to test whether modifying the activity of the hypothalamus with low frequency stimulation procedures can reduce seizures in mice and human patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. This type of brain stimulation would offer a safe and effective method for reduction of seizure frequency. Our findings could lead to the discovery of new therapies for people living with drug-resistant epilepsy.
HELPing People with Chronic Pain and FASD Manage Their Health Using a Mobile App
Led by Holly Mansell (University of Saskatchewan)
Impact Grant: $150,000
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Managing chronic health conditions like chronic pain and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) can be challenging, especially when support is limited. Tracking symptoms, adhering to treatment plans, and engaging in self-care strategies all play a role in self-management of these chronic conditions. Our team has developed a mobile app called HELP (Health Education and Learning Platform) to support people in managing their health.
Originally designed for transplant patients, HELP offers features like medication reminders, symptom tracking, educational resources, and communication tools to help users stay on top of their care. In this project, we will customize HELP for people living with chronic pain and FASD, working closely with healthcare providers and community organizations in Saskatchewan. We will test how easy and helpful the app is for patients and care teams in real-world settings. Our goal is to create a flexible, user-friendly tool that improves health and well-being by supporting self-management. Our hope is that this app can be further expanded to help people with other health conditions across the province and beyond.
Led by Ivar Mendez (University of Saskatchewan & Virtual Health Hub), Scott Adams (University of Saskatchewan & Virtual Health Hub) and Veronica McKinney (University of Saskatchewan & Virtual Health Hub)
Impact Grant: $150,000
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Many people in northern and Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan face challenges in accessing mental health support due to distance, limited services, and long wait times. This project aims to work together with community members, Elders, youth, and local health workers to strengthen mental health support using a mobile app that offers daily check-ins, guided conversations, and the ability to connect with care providers remotely.
The app is designed to feel culturally safe, supportive, and respectful of local values.
The study will involve youth and adults in La Loche and Whitecap Dakota communities. Participants will try the app, share feedback on what works well, and help guide improvements. By learning directly from the community, this project will show whether this approach helps reduce stress, anxiety, and low mood, while improving continuity of care. The results may help create long-term, community-led digital mental health support across Saskatchewan.
Novel Drug Shows Promise in Reducing Disability in Multiple Sclerosis
Led by Michael Levin (University of Saskatchewan)
Impact Grant: $150,000
Read more about this project
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex autoimmune disease of the central nervous system with a remarkably high prevalence in Canada, especially in Saskatchewan. Despite the development of disease modifying therapies that slow the progression of MS, the overall healthcare utilization by persons living with MS remains high. This is likely due to the fact that current therapies do not effectively address the underlying damage that happen to neurons in MS.
Our team discovered a protein called A1 that malfunctions in the nerve cells of people living with MS, causing nerve cell damage and long-term neurological disability.
Using cutting-edge technology, we invented a new medication that can prevent A1 malfunction and nerve cell damage in mouse nerve cells. This study will further test this novel medication in mice and in human nerve cells to understand how it works. This work is the final step needed before we can test our new treatment in clinical trials, with the ultimate goal of treating neurodegeneration, reducing disability and improving the lives of persons living with in MS.
Touch, Balance, and the Brain: A New Approach to Improving Balance and Preventing Falls
Led by Alison Oates (University of Saskatchewan) and Janeen Loehr (University of Saskatchewan)
Innovation Grant: $50,000
Read more about this project
This research explores how lightly touching another person, referred to as interpersonal light touch, can help people stay balanced while standing. Falls are a major health concern, especially for older adults and those with conditions like Parkinson’s disease. Previous studies show that lightly touching an object or another person adds sensory input to help improve balance.
The goal of this study is to understand how the brain processes the sensory input from interpersonal light touch to improve balance. We will test whether giving people different instructions, like working together or guiding each other, can make interpersonal light touch more helpful by measuring how much people sway while standing and recording brain activity using special equipment that tracks both partners at once. The proposed study starts with healthy adults with plans to later expand to those with balance challenges. Results could lead to better fall prevention strategies and rehabilitation programs, helping people stay active and independent.