NeuroDevNet: Opportunities in Brain Development Across Canada

1. NeuroDevNet: Opportunities in Brain Development Across Canada Dan Goldowitz, Scientific Director March 12, 2010

2. 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 Knowledge Translation Business Development Research and Training

3. Challenges to the Developing Brain & Solutions Societal Change Scientific Discovery Improvement in Clinical Practice and Outcomes Measurement & Diagnosis Prevention & Treatment Developing Brain Neuroethics Knowledge Translation Understanding Brain Development Neuroinformatics

4. 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

5. 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 • Data Collection • 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 Analysis Our neuroinformatics platform enables collaborative research between geographically dispersed groups and access to high-performance and distributed computing environments, algorithms and databases. • We provide seed funding and support research projects with strong translational potential • Research Translation

6. 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.

7. 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)

8. A distributed network of excellence across Canada Animal Models Imaging Genetics/Epigenetics Alberta Dr. J. Yager – University of Alberta Dr. B. Kolb & Dr. B. McNaugthon– University of Lethbridge Alberta University of Alberta University of Calgary University of Lethbridge Alberta Dr. C. Beaulieu – University of Alberta Ontario University of Toronto Queen’s University McMaster University York University University of Western Ontario Ontario Dr. B. Richardson – University of Western Ontario Dr. M. Fehlings – University of Toronto Ontario Dr. S. Scherer – SickKids Hospital Dr. A. Petronis – University of Toronto Saskatchewan University of Saskatchewan Ontario Dr. R. Menon – University of Western Ontario Nova Scotia Dalhousie University British Columbia Dr. S. Miller – University of British Columbia Dr. U. Ribary – Simon Fraser University British Columbia University of British Columbia Simon Fraser University British Columbia Dr. J. Weinberger & Dr. D. Goldowitz – University of British Columbia British Columbia Dr. M. Kobor – University of British Columbia Quebec Dr. G. Rouleau Dr. M.-P. Dube – Université de Montréal Dr. M. Szyf – McGill University Quebec Dr. A. Evans – McGill University Dr. C. Limperopulous – McGill University Manitoba University of Manitoba Quebec McGill University Université de Montréal Administrative Centre

9. The Net in NeuroDevNet Trainees, Investigators, Committees, Advisory Groups, Platforms, Staff, Board, Children & Families Families Clinicians Researchers Training Programs Policy Makers Provinces Industry ASD CP Research Teams FASD NeuroDevNet Members Platforms National Networks Australian CP Registry NIMH, Autism Speaks NIAAA INCF International Networks

10. Overview of NeuroDevNet Infrastructure • Create a research network of experts across Canada • Support research projects in CP, Autism, and FASD • Support opportunity funds • Support trainee exchange programs • Conduct brain camps and co-sponsor workshops • Offer trainee awards • 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

11. Canadian Autism Discovery Cohorts (Behavior & Brain Phenotypes) High-throughput Gene Sequencing & Genome Analysis Clinical Utility: Impact on Developmental Trajectories Autism & Population Control Studies Gene/Protein Network & Pathway Analysis Cell-based & Simple Model Organism Testing Neuro-informatics Neuroethics Animal Models Knowledge Translation Treatment, Therapies, Dissemination, Education Cohort data collection Autism 1 in 165 children in Canada have ASD. 1 autistic child = 3 Million societal cost over a lifetime Early ASD Diagnosis & Intervention

12. 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 NeuroDevNet Phenotypic, Epidemiological, Genetic & Imaging Data Alberta Reduced CP Incidence & Morbidity Quebec Pre-Clinical Studies Clinical Trials Best Practice Genetics Epigenetics Animal Models

13. 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 Reduced FASD Incidence & Morbidity NeuroDevNet Neuro-psychological data, Circuitry data, Genetic and Epigenetic data Possible Mechanisms Underlying Neuro-behavioural Deficits Basis for Development of Novel Interventions Animal Models Studies

14. 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

15. Training Opportunities Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program (CCHCSP) Autism Treatment Network (ART) with Autism Speaks Workshops, internships, travel, exchanges

16. Enhance KTEE… • …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

17. 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

18. NeuroDevNet Key Contacts Dan Goldowitz, Scientific Director, NeuroDevNet Senior Scientist CMMT, CFRI, UBC 604 875 3822 dang@neurodevnet.ca Nicky Lewis, Executive Director, NeuroDevNet nlewis@neurodevnet.ca Kevin McDuffie, Business Development Officer, NeuroDevNet kmcduffie@neurodevnet.ca

19. NeuroDevNet Special thanks to Dawn McArthur, Joel Livingston and the RTDO The Project Leads: Lonnie Zwaigenbaum (ASD), James Reynolds (FASD), and Michael 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.

20. Questions?

21. NeuroDevNet Research Operations PROJECTS Developing Brain ASD CP FASD Opportunities Animal Models Genetics COMMON PLATFORMS Imaging Neuroethics Neuroinformatics KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER & EXCHANGE INDIVIDUAL OUTCOMES & PRACTISE CHANGE EVALUATION / METRICS

22. Partnership Opportunities Developing Brain Developing Brain OTHER ASD CP FASD Genetics and Epigenetics • Partnership in other disease areas • Partnership in imaging, animal models, genetics and epigenetics • Expanding neuroInformatics platform Imaging Animal Models Neuroinformatics Neuroethics • Sponsoring trainees • Sponsoring specific workshops • Trainee placements Capacity Building Business Development • Translational opportunities • Sponsoring specific KT activity • Joint development of KT material Knowledge Transfer INDIVIDUAL OUTCOMES & PRACTICE CHANGE