Study finds hydroxychloroquine delays disability for least treatable form of multiple sclerosis

Hydroxychloroquine shows some promise and this research results open the door for a potential larger-scale study of generic drugs for MS. Read more here.

UCalgary named a top 5 research university for the first time

The University of Calgary ranked fifth among Canada’s top research universities in Re$earch Infosource Inc.’s latest Top 50 Research Universities list released on Jan. 25, 2022. UCalgary is the youngest university to have reached the top five. Read more here.

First human test of non-invasive neuromodulation with low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU)

Drs. Oury Monchi, Davide Martino, Bruce Pike, and Samuel Pichardo aim to establish the focused ultrasound parameters that produce well-controlled inhibitory and excitatory effects, establishing LIFU as a novel neuromodulatory tool in human studies. More information to come.

Eating disorders rose dramatically among young Canadians during COVID’s first wave

Recent research has revealed that the first wave of the pandemic saw a veritable explosion of pediatric hospitalizations across Canada. The catch? The admissions in question were for eating disorders, not COVID-19. Read more here.

Study shows majority of children under five are getting too much screen time

Even before COVID, meta-analysis of global data reveals screen time guidelines are rarely met. Read more here.

Weather induced headaches on Corus Radio

Dr. Warner Becker discusses the effect of weather on headaches and migraines. Shaye Ganam hosts. Listen to the full talk here.

Alberta at Noon with Judy Aldous: What people have learned about dementia

Dr. Dallas Seitz discusses Alzheimer's symptoms, onset and treatment with Judy Aldous on CBC. Listen to the full talk here.

Myelin Blistering and Its Role in the Pathophysiology of Multiple Sclerosis

Dr. Peter Stys explains in an article in Medpage that a pathological disturbance of the axo-myelinic synapse in MS causes damage to the molecular architecture that keeps axons and myelin normally adherent to one another. Read more here.

AWARD RECIPIENTS

Dr. Aaron Phillips - 2022 Beverly Petterson Bishop Award for Excellence in Neuroscience

Dr. Jean Addington - The Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers' List (for the sixth year running!)

Dr. Addington has also been funded by NIMH to conduct a follow-up of the 300 Calgary participants in the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study (NAPLS) to determine long term outcome (7-15 years) after initial identification. The study examines predictors and mechanisms of the development of psychosis

Dr. Samuel Wiebe - 2021 CLAE Wilder Penfield Award

Dr. Peter Stys - NIH Grant - Multiple sclerosis as a cytodegenerative proteopathy

Dr. Eric Smith - CIHR - Vascular Cognitive Impairment Health Research Training Platform (HRTP)

EVENTS AND SESSIONS

Innovation & Development: Addressing the Global Opioid Crisis

February 18: 9 - 10 AM | Register

Over 26 million people worldwide are struggling with opioid use disorder, with more than 100,000 deaths occurring every year from overdoses. Join researchers from the HBI to discuss a potential treatment to help those struggling with opioid use.

Trauma - from discrimination to dis-ease and disease

March 1: 12:15 PM | Webinar Link

A seminar on (i) discrimination as a social determinant of health that causes stress and trauma, ii) what is trauma and how it can lead to health effects, (iii) the ways to recover and heal from trauma.

Successes in Neuroscience Symposium

March 16: 11 AM - 5:30 PM | Register

Campus Alberta Neuroscience celebrates the extraordinary neuroscience and mental health accomplishments and innovations in our province!

Introductory Workshop on Computational Methods in Neuroscience

May 24 - June 3 | More Information

Neuroscience trainees access high-quality training opportunities beyond the boundaries of single institutions. Application period closes March 11, 2022.

Special Symposium: Alberta Strategy for Patient Oriented Research Unit (AbSPORU): Patient Engagement Research Support Services

February 18: 1 - 2 PM | Register

The HBI’s BMRC will be hosting a special symposium on the role of ABSPORU’s Patient Engagement Research Support Services and their role in supporting academic researchers interested in including the patient voice and perspective in their health research.

HBI Seminar Series | Dr. Melanie Alpaugh

February 25: 12 - 1 PM I Online Webinar

Talk Title: “Understanding the role of misfolded proteins in Huntington’s disease and related disorders”

35th Annual Sebastian K. Littmann Research Day

March 4: 8 AM - 4 PM | Register

The research day provides an opportunity for researchers and clinicians (and clinician-researchers), especially including trainees, to present their research ideas, proposals or results.

Schulich Research Talks: Human-Robot Interactions for Medical Applications and More

March 9: 12 - 1 PM I Request Invitation

Dr. Jay Carrier will discuss enhancing human-robot interaction through intelligent control and mechatronics development. Dr. Marie Charbonneau will discuss mowards social physical interaction with robots. To join, please request a calendar invitation with Zoom link from the link above.

Upcoming REALISE Modules

The REALISE program is an exciting initiative developed by the Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI) to provide enhanced training and skills development to our students and scholars. In addition to supporting education in brain and mental health research, REALISE helps our trainees develop the tools necessary to become the next generation of community, business, and academic leaders See all REALISE modules here.

AWARD AND FUNDING APPLICATIONS

Striking Image Competition 2022

Deadline: March 1, 2022

Details and Application

Showcase your research by submitting biology-related images captured on any optical microscope across the University of Calgary and you could win one of many prizes!

PRIHS Digital Health

EOI Deadline: April 8, 2022

Details and Application

Leaders in the health system can now leverage digital and data-enabled technologies to deliver innovative models of care for patients in Alberta.

The Alberta Roche Collaboration in Health Request for Proposals (RFP) on Alzheimer’s Disease

Deadline: March 4, 2022 |

Details | Application

The focus of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is a better understanding of clinical diagnosis and care of Alzheimer Disease
across Alberta. Primary focus in the following areas:

● Understanding how Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis is being conducted across the province;
● Understanding how Early Alzheimer’s Disease is being defined across the province in comparison to guidelines
and clinical trial definitions; and
● Insights into the patient care pathway from diagnosis to care and transition from primary care into acute care
and specialized services.

HBI Education Funding Opportunities

Deadline: March 15, 2022

Information on graduate and postdoctoral funding opportunities will be updated on February 15, 2022, along with access to application instructions and forms.

Open Science: HBI adheres to the five principles of Open Science. These principles guide all research conducted using HBI resources. If funded, successful applicants agree to abide by Principles 1 to 4. Questions regarding trainee education funding opportunities should be directed to HBI Education.

HBI Education - PDF Representative

Start Date: April 1st, 2022

The purpose of this role is to advocate for post-docs within the HBI and University, enhance opportunities and working environment for all post-docs, and other specific responsibilities/commitments/gained skills as required.

If you are interested in the role, please send CV and max. 200 words on your interest to Charlie Kwok, or Dr. Sarah McFarlane.

BRAIN CREATE RENEWED!

We are pleased to announce that our NSERC CREATE grant, BRAIN CREATE, was renewed for another two years! BRAIN CREATE is an interdisciplinary training program for students and scholars working towards the development of new neurotechnologies. BRAIN CREATE offers scholarships, fellowships, travel funds, training in commercialization and innovation, enhanced educational opportunities, and mentoring for HBI students and postdocs.