Www.neurodevnet.ca WORKING TOGETHER FOR HEALTHY BRAINS NeuroDevNet: Opportunities in Brain Development Across Canada Dan Goldowitz, Scientific Director.

www.neurodevnet.ca

WORKING TOGETHER FOR HEALTHY BRAINS

NeuroDevNet: Opportunities in Brain Development Across Canada

Dan Goldowitz, Scientific DirectorMarch 12, 2010

www.neurodevnet.ca

Overview of NeuroDevNet

NeuroDevNet is a Canadian Network of Centres of Excellence (NCE) in brain development, incorporated as a not-for-profit organization with seed funding by the government of Canada in December 2009.

NeuroDevNet’s mission is to:

Accelerate the pace of understanding the causes of

neurological deficits

Empower health care professionals, policy makers and

communities with new knowledge

Translate knowledge in to tangible diagnostic,

preventative, & therapeutic applications

Research and Training Knowledge Translation Business Development

www.neurodevnet.ca

Developing Brain

Understanding Brain Development

Preventio

n &

Treatment

Measurement &

Diagnosis

Knowledge Translation

Neuroinformatics

NeuroethicsSocietal Change

Scientific Discovery

Improvement in Clinical Practice and

Outcomes

Challenges to the Developing Brain &

Solutions

www.neurodevnet.ca

Imperative for a Canadian NCE in brain development

Leveraging Excellence Towards Solutions A network for the best and brightest in brain development in Canada,

bringing together the pockets of excellence in developmental brain research

Developing required infrastructure for Canada to be an international leader in Brain Development

The whole >> sum of parts

www.neurodevnet.ca

What NeuroDevNet is about:

We support synergies among a multidisciplinary community of experts throughout Canada in life and health sciences, social sciences, and computational and physical sciences to apply their collective expertise in the creation of new knowledge and solutions in brain development disorders

People

Our research and training is supported by 3 Cores in neuroethics, neuroinformatics and knowledge translation, along with expertise in imaging, animal models, genetics, and epigenetics, with emphasis on translational research

Infrastructure

We have access to cohort, registry and clinical databases across Canada and are expanding our access internationally, working with researchers from Singapore and Australia

Data Collection

Our neuroinformatics platform enables collaborative research between geographically dispersed groups and access to high-performance and distributed computing environments, algorithms and databases.

Data Analysis

We provide seed funding and support research projects with strong translational potential

Research Translation

www.neurodevnet.ca

Selection of Initial Research Projects

• Each disorder sheds light on the much larger spectrum of brain developmental disorders that affect Canadian children.

• Each disorder reflects roles of genes, environment, and GxE in brain function.

• Each disorder represents a significant socioeconomic burden to Canada.

• Our collective expertise across Canada will make major in-roads into understanding and treating each disorder.

• Three demonstration projects were selected (ASD, CP, and FASD) and an Opportunities Initiative.

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Costs to Society“When we fail to provide children with what they need to build a strong foundation for healthy and productive lives, we put our future prosperity and security at risk.”

(National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, 2007)

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British Columbia

Dr. S. Miller – University of British ColumbiaDr. U. Ribary – Simon Fraser University

British Columbia

Dr. S. Miller – University of British ColumbiaDr. U. Ribary – Simon Fraser University

Alberta

Dr. J. Yager – University of Alberta

Dr. B. Kolb & Dr. B. McNaugthon– University of Lethbridge

Alberta

Dr. J. Yager – University of Alberta

Dr. B. Kolb & Dr. B. McNaugthon– University of Lethbridge

Quebec

Dr. G. Rouleau Dr. M.-P. Dube – Université de Montréal

Dr. M. Szyf – McGill University

Quebec

Dr. G. Rouleau Dr. M.-P. Dube – Université de Montréal

Dr. M. Szyf – McGill University

QuebecDr. A. Evans – McGill UniversityDr. C. Limperopulous – McGill University

QuebecDr. A. Evans – McGill UniversityDr. C. Limperopulous – McGill University

British Columbia

Dr. M. Kobor – University of British Columbia

British Columbia

Dr. M. Kobor – University of British Columbia

AlbertaUniversity of AlbertaUniversity of CalgaryUniversity of Lethbridge

AlbertaUniversity of AlbertaUniversity of CalgaryUniversity of Lethbridge

Alberta

Dr. C. Beaulieu – University of Alberta

Alberta

Dr. C. Beaulieu – University of Alberta Ontario

University of Toronto

Queen’s University

McMaster University

York University

University of Western Ontario

Ontario

University of Toronto

Queen’s University

McMaster University

York University

University of Western Ontario

ManitobaUniversity of Manitoba

ManitobaUniversity of Manitoba

SaskatchewanUniversity of Saskatchewan

SaskatchewanUniversity of Saskatchewan

Ontario

Dr. R. Menon – University of Western Ontario

Ontario

Dr. R. Menon – University of Western Ontario

Ontario

Dr. B. Richardson – University of Western Ontario

Dr. M. Fehlings – University of Toronto

Ontario

Dr. B. Richardson – University of Western Ontario

Dr. M. Fehlings – University of Toronto

Nova ScotiaDalhousie University

Nova ScotiaDalhousie University

QuebecMcGill UniversityUniversité de Montréal

QuebecMcGill UniversityUniversité de Montréal

Administrative CentreAdministrative Centre

ImagingImagingGenetics/EpigeneticsGenetics/EpigeneticsAnimal ModelsAnimal Models

Ontario

Dr. S. Scherer – SickKids Hospital

Dr. A. Petronis – University of Toronto

Ontario

Dr. S. Scherer – SickKids Hospital

Dr. A. Petronis – University of TorontoBritish Columbia

Dr. J. Weinberger & Dr. D. Goldowitz – University of British Columbia

British Columbia

Dr. J. Weinberger & Dr. D. Goldowitz – University of British Columbia

British ColumbiaUniversity of British ColumbiaSimon Fraser University

British ColumbiaUniversity of British ColumbiaSimon Fraser University

A distributed network of excellence across Canada

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The Net in NeuroDevNet

FamiliesCliniciansResearchersTraining ProgramsPolicy MakersProvincesIndustry

Australian CP RegistryNIMH, Autism SpeaksNIAAAINCF

ASD

FASD

CP

Trainees, Investigators, Committees, Advisory Groups, Platforms, Staff, Board, Children & Families

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Overview of NeuroDevNet Infrastructure

• Create a research network of experts across Canada

• Support research projects in CP, Autism, and FASD

• Support opportunity funds

• Plan and organize annual meeting• Develop knowledge products and

tools• Expand relationships across

disciplinary boundaries

• Develop partnerships with industry

• Placement of trainees with industry• Provide projects start up funds

for commercialization opportunities

• Support trainee exchange programs• Conduct brain camps and co-

sponsor workshops• Offer trainee awards

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Cohort data collection Autism

Autism & Population Control Studies

Cell-based & Simple Model Organism Testing

Gene/Protein Network & Pathway Analysis

NeuroethicsNeuroethics

Knowledge Knowledge TranslationTranslation

Animal Animal ModelsModels

1 in 165 children in Canada have ASD.

1 autistic child = 3 Million societal cost over a lifetime

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A Trans-Canada Registry in Cerebral Palsy

Despite scientific progress, incidence remains 1-2 / thousand

1 CP child = 1.5Million societal cost over a lifetime

BC

Quebec

Alberta

NeuroDevNetPhenotypic, Epidemiological,

Genetic & Imaging Data

Clinical Trials

Pre-Clinical Studies

Best Practice

Genetics

Epigenetics

Animal Models

www.neurodevnet.ca

Clinical data collection Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

An estimated 9/1000 babies are born with FASD in Canada.

1 FASD child = 1-3 Million societal cost over a lifetime

26 clinics across North West Canada

FASD Clinic Cohort

Possible Mechanisms Underlying Neuro-behavioural Deficits

Basis for Development of Novel Interventions

Animal Models Studies

NeuroDevNetNeuro-psychological data, Circuitry data, Genetic and Epigenetic data

www.neurodevnet.ca

Vision for Training

• Trans-disciplinary scholars– Expose HQP to the full-spectrum of neurosciences

research incl. ethics, informatics, commercialization

• Team players– Enable HQP to establish and develop effective research

collaborations

• Translators– Equip HQP with skills to transfer research findings into

tangible health, social and economic benefits for Canadians

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Training Opportunities

• Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program (CCHCSP)

• Autism Treatment Network (ART) with Autism Speaks

• Workshops, internships, travel, exchanges

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…with Canadian end users

• Family networks, advocacy

• Health service networks

• Provincial Ministries

• Links with credible websites

• Product placement

…with our trainees and investigators

• KT STIHR training program

• Media training, internships

• NCE scholarships

• Workshops:

• Writing for lay public

• IP & commercialization

…with all stakeholders

• Annual meeting

• Brainstorming

• Online interactions

Enhance KTEE…

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Impact of KTEE Efforts Innovation and acceleration of

scientific discoveries related to aberrant brain development

• A “learning community”• Interdisciplinary multi-method

research teams• Work with receptors

Commercialization of products and services

• Novel diagnostic tools• New treatments to optimize

outcomes

Building capacity of Canadian KTEE investigators in brain development

• Regional specialists within research teams

Improved the health of children with disabilities

• Earlier diagnosis• More effective treatments• Prevention of disability

NeuroDevNet is both a product and a catalyst of change

www.neurodevnet.ca

Dan Goldowitz, Scientific Director, NeuroDevNetSenior Scientist CMMT, CFRI, UBC604 875 3822 [email protected]

Nicky Lewis, Executive Director, [email protected]

Kevin McDuffie, Business Development Officer, [email protected]

NeuroDevNet Key Contacts

www.neurodevnet.ca

NeuroDevNetNeuroDevNet

Special thanks to Dawn McArthur, Joel Livingston and the RTDOThe Project Leads: Lonnie Zwaigenbaum (ASD), James Reynolds (FASD), andMichael Shevell (CP)The Core Leads: Paul Pavlidis (NI), Judy Illes (NE), and Nazeem Muhajarine (KT)

And to the heavy duty efforts of Anita Sham, Doug Swanson,Randy Glenn and the members of the Goldowitz lab who collated, sorted, proofed, reference checked, and drove cars.

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Questions?

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NeuroDevNet Research Operations

PROJECTSPROJECTS

COMMONCOMMONPLATFORMSPLATFORMS

Developing Brain

GeneticsGenetics

NeuroinformaticsNeuroinformatics

ImagingImaging

Animal ModelsAnimal Models

NeuroethicsNeuroethics

ASD CP FASD

INDIVIDUAL OUTCOMES & PRACTISE CHANGE

EVALUATION / METRICS

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER & EXCHANGE

Opportunities

www.neurodevnet.ca

Partnership OpportunitiesDeveloping Brain

INDIVIDUAL OUTCOMES & PRACTICE CHANGE

Capacity Building

OTHER

Developing Brain

ASD CP FASD

Neuroethics

Neuroinformatics

Genetics and Epigenetics

Imaging

Animal Models

Knowledge Transfer

Business Development

• Partnership in other disease areas

• Partnership in imaging, animal models, genetics and epigenetics

• Expanding neuroInformatics platform

• Sponsoring trainees• Sponsoring specific workshops• Trainee placements

• Sponsoring specific KT activity• Joint development of KT

material

• Translational opportunities