More than 10 million Canadians are directly affected by neurological and mental illness disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, chronic pain and depression. With a high cost to both the individual and society, there is an urgent need to find innovative treatments.
Established in 2018, UHN’s CenteR for Advancing Neurotechnological Innovation to Application (CRANIA) is a unique multidisciplinary partnership between Krembil Brain Institute and KITE Research Institute. At CRANIA, neurosurgeons, engineers and scientists collaborate in a state-of-the-art facility to develop and investigate non-invasive techniques to target brain pathways and devise novel therapies for patients.
Neuromodulation uses advanced devices or implants that connect with different parts of the nervous system to change brain, spinal cord or nerve function to reduce symptoms and treat brain conditions. In recent years, this technology has made significant advances using non-invasive techniques, reducing the need for surgical interventions. With these advancements, there is great promise for the treatment of a range of neurological disorders. The team at CRANIA is working to fully integrate UHN expertise across the spectrum of neuromodulation discovery and innovation by capitalizing on the deep interdisciplinary talents of researchers.
Integrating UHN expertise in neuromodulation innovation
Thanks to the support of Dean Connor and Maris Uffelmann, we are able to further develop and expand the field of neuromodulation in Canada through Dean Connor and Maris Uffelmann CRANIA Innovation Awards in Neuromodulation.
Each year, three projects that show the potential to accelerate translation of neuromodulation research into patient solutions by utilizing interdisciplinary collaboration will each receive $75,000 in funding. Unlike traditional research grant evaluations, this process will be nimble and supportive by helping applicants improve the quality of their submissions. If the projects are not initially deemed suitable for funding, applicants will receive guidance on how their applications can be enhanced and resubmitted. A committee chaired by Dr. Milos Popovic, CRANIA Co-Director and KITE Institute Director and Dr. Taufik Valiante, CRANIA Co-Director, will review the submissions.
“The Dean Connor and Maris Uffelmann CRANIA Innovation Awards in Neuromodulation will play a pivotal role in advancing technology and clinical knowledge at UHN. This competitive award will be the spark for fully integrating UHN expertise across the spectrum of neuromodulation discovery and innovation,” shared Dr. Valiante, who also holds the Gerry and Tootsie Halbert Chair in Neural Repair and Regeneration. To break down silos and bring together experts across the UHN ecosystem, the CRANIA Innovation Awards will drive novel approaches in neuromodulation, creating a unique sandbox for collaboration and innovation.
Neuromodulation is at a stage where advancements in technology and knowledge can support new frontiers in research and non-invasive treatments. With the generous support of research projects at Toronto Rehab, UHN researchers will be able to conduct important research to move forward and optimize patient care on a global scale.
No one ever changed the world on their own but when the bright minds at UHN work together with donors we can redefine the world of health care together.
