GILLIAN SLADE
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Twitter: GillianNews
International neuroscientists will share their knowledge and expertise with Alberta researchers thanks to an Alberta multi-million dollar investment, announced Tuesday, with benefits locally for those living with neurological diseases.
The Campus Alberta Neuroscience International Scholars program received $5 million enabling it to bring international neuroscientists to Alberta's research institutions to share knowledge and ideas with students and fellows at Alberta's research institutions, announced Minister Greg Weadick, Alberta Advanced Education and Technology.
"0ne of our key focuses is around prion research which is about the proteins that cause BSE and chronic wasting disease," said Weadick. "They also cause Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. There is a lot of cross-over research now being done in support of those. The work we've done in animal disease is now also helping in human health."
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada called the announcement a positive and exciting step forward for all Albertans living with MS.
"Through collaboration with some of the world's leading neuroscientists, we may be able to rapidly increase our understanding of MS," said Darrel Gregory spokesperson for the society. "This has the potential to accelerate MS research which could lead to more treatment options for people with MS and other neurological conditions."
There will be an annual symposium, hosted by the University of Calgary, the University of Alberta and University of Lethbridge will link industry and academic research leaders with Alberta's trainees.
The Alberta Parkinson Society is encouraged by the announcement.
"There are over 8,000 people in the Province of Alberta living with Parkinson disease," said Glenda Blissett, spokesperson for Parkinson Alberta Society. "By connecting international neuroscientists with students and fellows at Alberta's research institutions and linking industry interests with academic research, this program could potentially generate new thinking and accelerate a future without Parkinson disease. At the very least, this will bring a renewed sense of hope to all Albertans living with Parkinson disease."
A recently published study at the University of Calgary's Hotchkiss Brain Institute challenges conventional thinking about how brain cells die in Alzheimer's disease.
The findings demonstrate a previously unknown mechanism by which the cells die and will help lead researchers in new directions for treating the degenerative brain disease.
The NMDA receptor is strongly regulated by copper, which if prevented from regulating the receptor, such as in Alzheimer's disease, brain cells become over stimulated and with time become sick and ultimately die.
"They're taking research that has been done and moving it into therapies that can be used in hospitals and homes to improve the lives of those with chronic diseases," said Weadick.