Funded Grants

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the result of in utero alcohol exposure and is characterized by central nervous system developmental impairments which causes lifelong physical and cognitive disabilities.

Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder characterized by social/communication deficits and repetitive behaviours.

Dr. Xie’s research focuses on the functional assessment of neuropsychiatric disease related synaptic genes – MDGA1 and 2. MDGAs bind to critical neuron synaptic proteins – Neuroglin (NLGN), disrupting the binding between NLGN and Neurexin (NRXN), so suppressing synaptogenesis.

Ms. Raza’s research focuses on early development in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with the goal of identifying behavioral and physiological markers in at-risk infants.

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a severe dementia that is likely a result of years of buildup in the brain of molecules called amyloid-beta oligomers (AβOs).

The high and potentially increasing prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is taking a significant emotional and economic toll on patients, their families and Canadian society.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders with distinguished early emerging behavioral disruptions (speech impairments, social communication, repetitive behaviors) and a rising rate of diagnosis to an estimated 1 in 68 children.

Dr.  Neuenschwander’s research aims to explore how exposure to stress during pregnancy affects children’s development, specifically in relation to children whose mothers were depressed and/or on antidepressants during pregnancy

Mr. Little’s current focus is on building computer software that can identify altered brain development patterns in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) using brain images.

Ms. Izadi-Najafabadi’s research focuses on the effect of Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Performance (CO-OP)—the current best-practiced intervention for children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)—on their structural and functional brain connectivity.