Over $7.7M in Ontario-Based Platforms to Advance Open Science and Brain Health Innovation Français
TORONTO, June 20, 2025 /CNW/ - Brain Canada is pleased to announce an investment of more than $7.7 million to support two innovative research platforms based in Ontario that will drive forward brain health discovery, data sharing, and open science collaboration.
Funded through the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF), a visionary partnership between Brain Canada and the Government of Canada, through Health Canada, these two projects will provide Canadian and international researchers with the tools and infrastructure they need to transform how brain disorders are studied, understood, and treated.
"Through the Canada Brain Research Fund, the Government of Canada is pleased to support these two essential and innovative research initiatives, which will help drive new discoveries and improve care for people affected by neurological conditions," said the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health.
The newly supported platforms are the Brain Health Data Challenge (BHDC) platform, led by Dr. Tristan Glatard at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), and the Mesoscopic Integrated Neuroimaging Data (MIND) Platform, led by Dr. Ali Khan at Western University.
"Canada is at the forefront of a global shift toward open science in brain research," said Dr. Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada. "These two platforms exemplify how we can responsibly share data, scale innovation, and build collaborative networks to unlock the full potential of neuroscience and AI."
ABOUT THE PROJECTS
Building Reproducible AI Frameworks for Brain Health with the Brain Health Data Challenge Platform
Tristan Glatard, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) (Grant total: $4.9M)
With vast amounts of brain health data now available, artificial intelligence is revolutionizing how we understand, diagnose, and treat neurological conditions. However, data privacy regulations often prevent this information from being used in open AI challenges—a key method that has already accelerated innovation in fields like cancer and medical imaging.
The BHDC platform will create a secure, privacy-compliant framework to enable AI competitions using Canadian brain health data. By unlocking these datasets for responsible and collaborative use, the platform will foster the development of reproducible and equitable AI models, helping clinicians tailor treatments and improve care for people living with brain disorders.
"With this transformative investment from Brain Canada, CAMH is proud to lead the development of a secure and robust framework for ethical AI in mental health," said Dr. Aristotle Voineskos, SVP of Research and Science, CAMH. "The Brain Health Data Challenge will empower researchers globally to address complex brain health questions using advanced data science—while upholding the highest standards of privacy and equity. By enabling predictive, reproducible AI for serious mental illness, we move closer to better care, earlier interventions and improved quality of life."
The Mesoscopic Integrated Neuroimaging Data (MIND) Platform
Ali Khan, Western University (Grant total: $2.9 million)
The MIND Platform combines ultra-powerful MRI and lightsheet microscopy, which enables researchers to see the brain's structure and activity in unprecedented detail. By linking images of living brains with detailed microscopy of brain tissue, scientists can gain deeper insights into how diseases like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's progress, affect brain circuits, and can be treated.
The MIND Platform builds on two internationally recognized imaging facilities at Western University to create a centralized, standardized repository for high-resolution brain tissue data. Through a user-friendly online portal, researchers around the world will be able to send brain tissue for imaging and access powerful tools to analyze the data—without requiring advanced infrastructure at every site.
By adopting global data standards and a robust open science framework, the MIND Platform will fuel national and international collaboration, enabling deeper understanding of brain structure, function, and disease.
"Western is internationally recognized for its strengths in neuroimaging, with a long history of innovation and collaboration," said Robert Bartha, Vice Dean of Research and Innovation at Western's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. "The MIND Platform builds on that foundation, pairing powerful imaging technologies with open science to push the boundaries of how we explore and understand the brain."
Together, these platforms mark a major step forward in Canada's leadership in brain research, making it easier for scientists to share knowledge, build on each other's work, and transform brain health through open, data-driven innovation.
About Brain Canada
Brain Canada is a national charitable organization that enables and supports excellent, innovative, and collaborative brain research in Canada. Through the Canada Brain Research Fund, a public-private partnership with the Government of Canada through Health Canada, Brain Canada funds initiatives that advance knowledge, drive innovation, and accelerate the development of diagnostics, treatments, and cures.
About the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada's largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital and a world leading research centre in this field. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development and health promotion to help transform the lives of people affected by mental illness and addiction. CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto and is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre. For more information, please visit camh.ca or follow @CAMHnews on Bluesky and LinkedIn.
About Western University
Western University delivers an academic experience second to none. Since 1878, The Western Experience has combined academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social and cultural growth in order to better serve our communities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western attracts individuals with a broad worldview, seeking to study, influence and lead in the international community.
CAMH
[email protected]
Western University
Crystal Mackay
Director, Media Relations
m. 519-933-5944
e. [email protected]
Brain Canada
Kate Shingler, Senior Director, Strategic Communications
[email protected]
514-550-8308
SOURCE Brain Canada
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Vancouver Sun
8 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
Drinking on the rise among Canada's Gen Z: international survey
Drinking among Gen Zers is on the rise in many major markets throughout the world, including Canada, according to IWSR , a British-based firm that analyzes drinking patterns. Previous research about Gen Z alcohol consumption that painted them as abstainers. For example, in 2020, researchers from the University of Michigan reported that abstention was steadily increasing among college-age Americans. In August 2024, a Gallup study found 65 per cent of U.S. adults under 35 considered drinking unhealthy. An IWSR research survey conducted in March has turned that picture of Gen Z on its head. 'The idea that Gen Z drinkers are moderating significantly more than other generations isn't backed up by the data in our latest survey,' says Richard Halstead, IWSR's COO Consumer Insights. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. IWSR interviewed 1,374 Canadian adults in total for its spring survey. This number was determined to be a representative sample of the national population of adults of legal drinking age in Canada. The percentage of Canada's Gen Z legal drinking-age (LDA) population who reported drinking rose from 56 per cent in spring 2023 to 69 per cent in spring 2025. Gen Z drinking more 'is based on what we call 'participation rate,'' says Halstead. To be considered a drinker, respondents must have had one or more drinks in the past six months, he wrote to National Post in an email. The Canadian data for the other generational cohorts shows a small increase among Millennials: 71 per cent (April 2023) to 75 per cent (March 2025). However, alcohol consumption fell for Gen Xers (77 per cent in 2023 to 76 per cent in 2025) and Boomers (76 per cent in 2023 down to 72 per cent in 2025). IWSR defines these age cohorts as follows: Gen Z (18−27); Millennials (28−43); Gen X (44−59); Boomers (60+). Increasing income played a role in alcohol consumption among Gen Z drinkers, says Halstead. 'As more Gen Z LDA drinkers approach their mid-twenties, their disposable income is increasing, and that generally correlates with increased alcohol purchases.' IWSR research says cost-of-living pressures have meant most consumers focused more on buying essentials and staying home, rather than going out drinking. Otherwise, Halstead says the impact of demographic factors such as gender and household income has 'been fairly consistent in Canada.' Instead, he adds, an increasing number of people are reaching legal drinking age within Gen Z, boosting consumption for that cohort. Gen Z alcohol consumption is also growing in other key markets. In the U.S., consumption among Gen Z consumers rose from 46 per cent to 70 per cent over the same time-period. In the U.K. it jumped from 66 per cent to 76 per cent, in India up from 60 per cent to 70 per cent and in Australia up from 61 per cent to 83 per cent. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
8 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
Drinking on the rise among Canada's Gen Z: international survey
Drinking among Gen Zers is on the rise in many major markets throughout the world, including Canada, according to IWSR, a British-based firm that analyzes drinking patterns. Article content Previous research about Gen Z alcohol consumption that painted them as abstainers. For example, in 2020, researchers from the University of Michigan reported that abstention was steadily increasing among college-age Americans. In August 2024, a Gallup study found 65 per cent of U.S. adults under 35 considered drinking unhealthy. Article content Article content Article content An IWSR research survey conducted in March has turned that picture of Gen Z on its head. 'The idea that Gen Z drinkers are moderating significantly more than other generations isn't backed up by the data in our latest survey,' says Richard Halstead, IWSR's COO Consumer Insights. Article content Article content IWSR interviewed 1,374 Canadian adults in total for its spring survey. This number was determined to be a representative sample of the national population of adults of legal drinking age in Canada. Article content The percentage of Canada's Gen Z legal drinking-age (LDA) population who reported drinking rose from 56 per cent in spring 2023 to 69 per cent in spring 2025. Article content Gen Z drinking more 'is based on what we call 'participation rate,'' says Halstead. To be considered a drinker, respondents must have had one or more drinks in the past six months, he wrote to National Post in an email. Article content Article content The recent survey found a third of Canadian Gen Z drinkers reported that the last time they drank it was at a bar, restaurant or club — significantly higher than Canadian drinkers as a whole. Nearly four in five reported consuming spirits, which is higher overall than all drinkers in Canada. Article content How does Gen Z compare to the other generational cohorts? Article content The Canadian data for the other generational cohorts shows a small increase among Millennials: 71 per cent (April 2023) to 75 per cent (March 2025). However, alcohol consumption fell for Gen Xers (77 per cent in 2023 to 76 per cent in 2025) and Boomers (76 per cent in 2023 down to 72 per cent in 2025). Article content IWSR defines these age cohorts as follows: Gen Z (18−27); Millennials (28−43); Gen X (44−59); Boomers (60+). Article content Increasing income played a role in alcohol consumption among Gen Z drinkers, says Halstead. 'As more Gen Z LDA drinkers approach their mid-twenties, their disposable income is increasing, and that generally correlates with increased alcohol purchases.'
Canada News.Net
10 hours ago
- Canada News.Net
Nvidia approaches $4T valuation, closes in on historic record
SANTA CLARA, California: Nvidia came within a whisker of making financial history on July 3, briefly surpassing Apple's all-time market value record and edging toward becoming the most valuable company ever. The AI chipmaker's market capitalization hit US$3.92 trillion in early trading, fuelled by soaring investor confidence in artificial intelligence. Its share price rose as much as 2.4 percent to $160.98, nudging past Apple's record close of $3.915 trillion set on December 26, 2024. Shares later settled at $159.60, leaving Nvidia's market value just shy of the all-time high at $3.89 trillion. Nvidia's cutting-edge chips have become essential to training large AI models, making its products highly sought after amid an AI arms race among tech giants. Microsoft followed closely behind with a valuation of $3.7 trillion, while Apple trailed in third at $3.19 trillion, despite its own gains on the day. The high-stakes race to build AI data centres has driven up demand for Nvidia's processors, with companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Alphabet, and Tesla fuelling its rise. "When the first company crossed a trillion dollars, it was amazing. And now you're talking four trillion, which is just incredible," said Joe Saluzzi, co-manager of trading at Themis Trading. "It tells you that there's this huge rush with AI spending and everybody's chasing it right now." According to LSEG, Nvidia's valuation has exploded nearly eightfold in four years, from $500 billion in 2021, surpassing the combined value of the Canadian and Mexican stock markets and even exceeding all UK-listed companies. Despite the surge, Nvidia's stock trades at about 32 times expected earnings—lower than its five-year average of 41—as earnings forecasts continue to climb faster than share prices. The rebound in Nvidia stock—up 68 percent since its April 4 low—coincides with recovering U.S. markets after global jitters tied to President Donald Trump's tariff announcements. Optimism around potential trade agreements has helped soothe investor nerves. The company now makes up 7 percent of the S&P 500, with Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Alphabet collectively accounting for 28 percent of the index. That means everyday savers in S&P 500 index funds are increasingly tied to AI's fate. "I strongly believe that AI is a greatly productive tool, but I am fairly sure that the current delivery of AI via large language models and large reasoning models is unlikely to live up to the hype," warned Kim Forrest, chief investment officer at Bokeh Capital Partners. Founded in 1993 by Jensen Huang, Nvidia has transformed from a gaming-focused chipmaker into the bellwether of the AI revolution. Its rise has reshaped the semiconductor landscape, especially after replacing Intel on the Dow Jones Industrial Average last November. Nvidia's stock has rallied after a slow start to the year. Investor excitement over AI was briefly overshadowed by trade tensions and a cut-price AI model from China's DeepSeek, which prompted fears of reduced spending on high-end processors. But if the numbers are any indication, Wall Street's AI enthusiasm is far from cooling.
