Three research teams connected to the University of Ottawa Institute for Mental Health Research (IMHR) at The Royal were awarded over $800,000 of funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) for total project costs of ~$2M.
The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is a non-profit corporation that invests in research infrastructure at Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research institutions.
“Congratulations to our talented researchers whose innovation and cutting-edge research transforms care in mental health,” said Dr. Florence Dzierszinski, president of IMHR and vice-president of research at The Royal. “We are immensely proud of what we are building here at The Royal / IMHR.”
Quantitative functional MRI technologies for assessing brain health in depression
Led by Dr. Avery Berman (assistant professor at Carleton University, scientist at the IMHR)
Depression is a leading cause of disability in Canada and is strongly associated with other neurological disorders, including cerebrovascular impairment. Tools that can measure brain health, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), are critical for improving our understanding of depression. Brain blood flow and metabolism have predictive power to determine how patients with depression respond to treatment, making brain imaging a key input for personalized medicine strategies. Dr. Berman and his team will use the infrastructure funded by this CFI JELF grant to develop fMRI techniques for measuring blood flow, and making the measurement of brain metabolism more robust and broadly applicable. These emerging fMRI techniques may be used for future personalized medicine strategies, helping to reduce the burden of depression.
Molecular determinants and effects of new treatment approaches in psychiatry
Led by Dr. Lauri Tuominen (scientist at the IMHR, assistant professor at University of Ottawa)
Dr. Lauri Tuominen and team use positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, an advanced technology used to visualize molecular processes within the brain. The assessment of new treatment approaches in psychiatry will include psychedelics-assisted psychotherapy, neuromodulation, and treatment targets for schizophrenia. This trailblazing research offers hope for improved mental health solutions. It also positions the National Capital Region at the forefront of brain PET imaging.
Identifying the best music education programs for rehabilitation
Music education expert Dr. Gilles Comeau (senior scientist, IMHR, and professor, uOttawa) will be joining professor Anna Zumbansen of the University of Ottawa School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, to explore the benefits of group music programs on mental health, speech, cognition, and motor skills for children and older adults. A multidisciplinary research team from The Royal and the Music and Health Research Institute (MHRI), will evaluate singing, movement, and instrument-based programs. The expected benefits of incorporating music-making into rehabilitation are promising, spanning improved health and reduced health-care costs.
Overall, CFI JELF is supporting 396 research infrastructure projects at 56 institutions across the country with funding totalling more than $100 million. Read more about the 2023 CFI JELF projects by clicking here.