New platforms target earlier dementia diagnosis and mental health research gaps across Canada
Where you live should not determine the quality of brain care you receive and three newly funded research platforms in Western Canada are working to change that.
Brain Canada has awarded Platform Support Grants to research teams in British Columbia and Alberta, targeting blood-based diagnostics for dementia and neurological conditions, remote mental health research tools, and a national biobank for neurodegenerative diseases.
The platforms together represent nearly $4.7m in funding through the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF), a partnership between the Government of Canada through Health Canada and Brain Canada Foundation.
At UBC, Cheryl Wellington leads the Platform for Neurology Biomarker Innovation, which develops blood tests that detect proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and other forms of dementia.
The tests replace what were once expensive imaging procedures or invasive diagnostics.
Brain Canada describes PNBI as the largest academic neurology biomarker research program of its kind in North America, and the new funding expands its access to clinicians and researchers across Canada.
Wellington, lead principal investigator, said earlier and more accessible diagnosis changes outcomes for patients, families, and healthcare systems.
Blood-based tools, she added, reduce costs and ensure "where you live does not determine the quality of care you receive."
Also at UBC, Michael Hayden is leading the expansion of the HD Biobank, one of the world's most significant collections of human tissue samples covering Huntington, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson diseases.
The funding will expand nationwide sample collection, modernise infrastructure, and strengthen ethical sample sharing across Canada and internationally.
At the University of Calgary, Aaron Phillips is leading ResearchAlly, a Canadian-built digital platform that enables participation in neuroscience and mental health research using smartphones and wearable devices.
The platform incorporates Indigenous language options and tools co-created with community partners, and will be deployed nationally over the next three years to study mental health and cognitive decline in underserved populations.
Brain Canada president and CEO Viviane Poupon said open, collaborative infrastructure is essential to advancing national brain research and improving diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders.
