A Metabolic Approach to ALS
Antoine studies ALS through a metabolic lens, looking at how the body's energy source, specifically a high-fat, low-sugar diet, might be leveraged as a potential new therapeutic target to benefit people living with the disease. These efforts are part of a broader effort to understand what a diet can do as a therapeutic approach.
He works in the lab of Brain Canada Future Leader Chantelle Sephton, a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at Université Laval and a researcher affiliated with the CERVO Brain Research Center. This work builds on a clinical observation that a higher-calorie diet is already linked to better outcomes in people with ALS, though the biological explanation has remained unclear. Preliminary findings from the lab point to restored mitochondrial activity as one possible answer.
Read the full impact story on Dr. Sephton's research
Why Antoine Chose ALS Research
During his bachelor's degree, Antoine had the opportunity to work with people affected by neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases, an experience that pushed him toward graduate studies in neuroscience. His commitment deepened further when someone close to his family was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), later progressing to FTD-ALS.
“I think that interacting with the community, both researchers as well as people affected by the disease, really deepened my commitment.”
– Antoine Desmeules
Behind many promising research careers is a simple desire to help people. Brain Canada's Rising Stars Trainee Awards exist to support that drive, ensuring talented trainees have the resources they need to stay in research, build their careers, and pursue the difference they set out to make.
Powered by Belief in the Next Generation
“It feels like a vote of confidence.”
Antoine's research, like that of every Brain Canada Rising Stars Trainee Award recipient, is powered by people who believe in the next generation of brain researchers. In his own words:
“Research is not always easy, especially as a young trainee, but opportunities like the Rising Stars Trainee Awards really make a difference. It really motivates young trainees like myself to continue and move forward as a researcher.”
Learn more about the Rising Stars program
The 2025 Brain Canada Rising Stars Trainee Awards have been made possible through the generous support of Linda Auger Morissette & Friends, in honour of Pierre Auger Morissette; Naomi Azrieli, François Blanc & Family, in memory of Madeleine Blanc; Allan Kliger & Family, who lovingly power the Olivier Goy Rising Star Trainee Award in ALS Research; Mireille & Murray Steinberg Family Foundation; Naomi Azrieli, in memory of Vivian Distler; M. Wayne and J. Coleman Family Fund; Seger-van Tol Family.
