TORONTO —Eight Canadian research projects have been awarded funding to drive progress and innovation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research through the 2024 ALS Canada-Brain Canada Discovery Grant Program, with a total investment of $1,170,000 from the ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada) and Brain Canada.
The ALS Canada-Brain Canada Discovery Grant Program provides the research community with crucial funding for projects focused on identifying causes of ALS, treatments for ALS or related neurological diseases, and avenues to maximize function, minimize disability, and optimize the quality of life for the nearly 4,000 Canadians and their families living with ALS.
“We are incredibly grateful to partner with Brain Canada to fund these eight Discovery Grants, providing vital support for researchers to pursue ideas that will deepen our understanding of ALS, with the ultimate goal of developing more effective treatments,” says Dr. David Taylor, Chief Scientific Officer at ALS Canada. “These projects demonstrate the collaborative efforts of the ALS community, uniting researchers from different institutions to explore innovative ideas. By working together, we can drive progress toward a world free of ALS.”
Since the 2014 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, ALS Canada and Brain Canada have partnered to maximize the funding available to impact ALS research. Together, they have funded more than 60 ALS Canada-Brain Canada Discovery Grants.
“These pioneering projects, led by teams across Canada, are pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery on a global scale,” says Dr. Viviane Poupon, Brain Canada President & CEO. “Our unique partnership with ALS Canada has the potential to transform ALS diagnosis and treatment, uncovering new insights that could change lives. We are immensely proud to contribute to this groundbreaking work.”
Summary of the 2024 ALS Canada-Brain Canada Discovery Grants:
- A stimulating trial: Can magnetic pulses treat overexcited neurons in ALS?
Novel Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Paradigm to reduce cortical hyperexcitability in patients with ALS
Agessandro Abrahao, Dr. Lorne Zinman, and Dr. Sean Nestor, at Sunnybrook Research Institute, in collaboration with Dr. Robert Chen, Dr. Clement Hamani, Dr. Nir Lipsman, Dr. Kelvin Jones, Dr. Sahara Khademullah, Dr. Yves De Koninck, Dr. Janice Robertson, and Dr. Jamie Near, awarded $125,000 over two years - Fishing for answers: Tackling a juvenile form of ALS
Investigating therapeutic approaches for SPTLC1 ALS variants using zebrafish models
Dr. Gary Armstrong, at McGill University, in collaboration with Dr. Eric Shoubridge, awarded $125,000 over two years - A brainy approach: Repurposing cancer drugs to rescue neurons in ALS and FTD
Exploring a therapeutic approach to promote neuronal function for ALS
Dr. Liliana Attisano, at the University of Toronto, in collaboration with Dr. Janice Robertson, awarded $125,000 over two years - Apt’ly targeted: DNA aptamers to tackle toxic TDP-43 in ALS
Selection of DNA aptamers for inhibition of protein aggregation in ALS
Dr. Maria DeRosa, at Carleton University, in collaboration with Dr. James Shorter, awarded $120,000 over two years - Breaking the ALS surface tension: Unravelling the function of RNA-binding proteins
Studying the involvement of cell surface RNA binding proteins in ALS pathogenesis
Dr. Eric Lécuyer, at Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), in collaboration with Dr. Christine Vande Velde, awarded $125,000 over two years - On a FUSt track to understanding the spread of toxic aggregates in ALS
Investigating the templated propagation and impact of pathogenic FUS in hiPSCs-derived cerebral organoids
Dr. Guy Rouleau, at McGill University, in collaboration with Dr. Patrick Dion and Dr. Chantelle Sephton, awarded $125,000 over two years - Stressing the connection between stress granules and ALS
Stress granules: neuroprotective or neurotoxic in ALS pathogenesis?
In partnership with Jean-Pierre Canuel Fund – ALS Quebec and Brain Canada. Dr. Christine Vande Velde, at Centre Hospitalier de l’Universite de Montreal – CHUM, in collaboration with Dr. Richard Robitaille, awarded $300,000 over three years - Understanding the preferred place of death and caregivers’ associated role in ALS
A multi-methods multi-site study of end-of-life care in individuals with ALS: goal concordance and caregiver perceptions
Christine Watt, at Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and Dr. Michael Bonares, at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, in collaboration with Dr. Jocelyn Zwicker, Dr. Andrea Parks, Dr. Breffni Hannon, and Dr. Wenshan Li, awarded $125,000 over two years
Funding for one Discovery Grant was made possible by the Dr. Jean-Pierre Canuel Fund – ALS Quebec, who generously contributed $150,000 to ALS Canada, which was matched by Brain Canada through the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF).
The Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF) is an innovative arrangement between the Government of Canada (through Health Canada) and Brain Canada Foundation, which increases Canadians’ support for brain research and expands the philanthropic space for funding brain research to achieve maximum impact.
For more information on these funded projects, visit als.ca.
About ALS Canada and the ALS Canada Research Program
The ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada) is working to change what it means to live with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, an unrelenting and currently terminal disease.
Grounded in and informed by the Canadian ALS community, we respond to the urgent unmet need for life-changing treatments by investing in high-quality research that will fuel scientific discovery and by engaging industry, supporting increased clinical capacity and advocating for equitable, affordable, and timely access to proven therapies.
Responding to the tremendous need for current and credible ALS knowledge, awareness, and education, we empower Canadians affected by ALS to navigate the current realities of ALS, be informed consumers of ALS information, and advocate effectively for change.
Through the ALS Canada Research Program, we fund peer-reviewed research grants, foster collaboration and build capacity within Canada’s ALS research and clinical community, and invest in new areas of research positioned to have high impact. As the only national dedicated source of funding for ALS research across Canada, the ALS Canada Research Program aims to accelerate research impact by providing funding for the most promising ALS projects focused on translating scientific discoveries into treatments for ALS. We are grateful for the support of our donors and the contributions from participating provincial ALS Societies through the Walk to End ALS.
About Brain Canada
Brain Canada plays a unique and invaluable role as a national convenor of those who support and advance brain research. A greater understanding of how the brain works contributes to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of disorders of the brain, ultimately improving the health outcomes of people in Canada and around the world. Visit Braincanada.ca and @BrainCanada
-30-
Join the conversation and connect with the ALS community online. Find ALS Canada on X, Instagram, or like our page on Facebook. Visit als.ca to find out more.
For more information:
ALS Society of Canada
media@als.ca
437-703-5402
Brain Canada
Jillian Donnelly
jillian.donnelly@braincanada.ca
You can make a difference.
Donations allow people living with ALS to receive one-on-one guidance and in-home assistance, access to life-enhancing equipment, and have compassionate community support.