Media

OTTAWA, September 29, 2011  —  Two researchers from the University of Ottawa, will receive funding of over $680,000 from the Government of Canada. The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), made the announcement today at the University of Ottawa as part of an investment of $6 million to support ten new studies on neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and neuromuscular conditions.

Daniel Krewski, professor in the Faculty of Medicine and director of the McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, and James Gomes, professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences, have received funding for research that will undoubtedly contribute to improving the lives of Canadians living with neurological disorders.

“This announcement reinforces our solid reputation as Canada’s leading research institution in the field of neurosciences,” said Mona Nemer, vice-president, research at the University of Ottawa. “The work accomplished by professors Krewski and Gomes reflects the vitality of research at the University of Ottawa and will ensure significant advancements in the study of neurological disorders, which affect so many Canadians.”

Professor Daniel Krewski, PhD and principle investigator will lead a team of researchers across Canada which will be conducting a systematic review of factors influencing the onset and progression of 14 neurological conditions. The project’s objective is to assess and produce world literature on factors for the development of neurological conditions. Researchers will examine a wide array of factors, including biological, lifestyle, socioeconomic, environmental and psychosocial. This will further assist the public and policymakers in identifying data gaps and research needs and the prioritization of risk factors.

Professor James Gomes, PhD, a collaborator on the study, is associate professor in the Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, associate director of the McLaughlin Centre, where he holds the Research Chair in Environmental Health Risk Assessment, and director of the Endotox Lab at the University of Ottawa. Professor Gomes is leading the research team in Ottawa on the conduct of the systematic reviews on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, brain tumours and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He’s also the lead researcher responsible for the design of the reviews across all five centres, and has developed, along with graduate students at the University of Ottawa, the screening and data extraction forms.

This investment was announced in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Neurological Health Charities Canada (NHCC), and is part of the Government of Canada’s $15 million commitment to the first-ever National Population Health Study on Neurological Conditions, which will provide a better picture of the state of neurological diseases in Canada.

The University of Ottawa, one of Canada’s top research-intensive universities, is working to improve the health of all Canadians through research. We are committed to excellence and encourage an interdisciplinary approach to knowledge creation, which attracts the best academic talent from across Canada and around the world.

For more information please visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website