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This section, which presents a summary of the discussions that took place at the second meeting of the Institute Advisory Board, should be read carefully by interested members of the research community as well as by all interested members of the lay public. Particular attention should be paid to two invitations where the Institute is anxious to obtain much needed input. The first concerns the opportunity to suggest issues that should be addressed in the development of a Strategic Plan. The overall aim is to reduce suffering from disorders of the brain and mind by doing first class multi-disciplinary research and by making possible a new generation of well trained investigators. The second opportunity is to make suggestions on what Requests for Applications ( RFAs) should be identified as the first call on the available resources. In both cases all submissions will be carefully considered and the staff of the Institute will be pleased to offer advice.

The members of the IAB were joined by Dr. Alan Bernstein and Dr. Louise Nadeau, President and Vice-President of CIHR respectively, and by Mrs. Rita Cavaliere who is advising on the development of a Strategic Plan. Dr. Nadeau discussed issues and concerns regarding CIHR and this Institute. She summarized the unique challenges which relate to extent of the mandate of this Institute and the talent pool available in Canada, budgetary constraints, stigmatization of patients suffering from disorders of the brain and mind and the need to collaborate with other Institutes and other partners. She emphasized the need to be truly integrative and innovative, focusing on the objectives of Bill C-13 and on the necessity to keep interacting with government officials and MPs to make sure the CIHR budget is increased to the 1 billion mark.

Dr. Bernstein stressed issues raised earlier by Dr. Nadeau, particularly highlighting the need for ongoing discussions with MPs and government officials to demonstrate the impact of research on the quality of life of all Canadians and on the development of a truly innovative society. He emphasized that research in Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction is at a most exciting time and INMHA should think big, be innovative and be prepared to support high risk research.

The Scientific Director, Dr. Remi Quirion, summarized some of the recent activities of the staff of the Institute, noting recent visits to Saskatoon and Winnipeg where he was reminded that INMHA must not forget smaller Universities which may often have unique expertise and strong training programs. He then briefly discussed the two recent meetings of the Scientific Directors and outlined the development of the training grant program which has since been announced by CIHR. The names of the first three winners of the BrainStar Award to trainees were announced as well as the list of Workshops sponsored in part by INMHA (additional info is available on this Web site). Dr. Quirion then summarized early discussions with the Japanese government and Japanese scientists as well as with Neuroscience Canada Partnership (NCP). These discussions are likely to lead to the first official international collaboration of the Institute (see this Web site for info on potential exchanges of Fellows) and to the establishment of a joint venture with NCP to raise additional funds for brain-related research in Canada. Potential collaborations with Health Canada and the National Research Council were discussed as well as the eventual role of the Institute in research on tobacco abuse in Canada. A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed by the INMHA, CIHR, NCP and the Barbara Turnbull Foundation to create the Barbara Turnbull Award for spinal cord research given annually to the highest rated grant submitted to CIHR in this area.

Dr. Marlene Reimer reported on a teleconference held with the members of the Training and Education focus group. She noted the need for multi-disciplinary training grant support from INMHA and the special requirements for training in clinical research. Strong support was given by the group to the Institute initiative to participate in the new CIHR training grant program. The group proposed the establishment of a high school studentship program and a special program dedicated to the training of biostatisticians needed for all aspects of cross-pillar research. Offering mid-career training opportunities was also discussed by this group as a means to build capacity in specific areas. Finally, the need to enhance the visibility of the Institute at scientific meetings, educational sessions and NGO meetings was stressed.

Dr. Eric Single reported on the first discussions of the Communications and Inter-Institute Affairs focus group. Inter-Institute Affairs should be the responsibility of one key individual of the Institute, most likely the Scientific Director in collaboration with the Institute Liaison. The aim should be to be aware of the activities of other Institutes in order to develop joint ventures, to monitor new initiatives and to better lever and maximize INMHA investments. Examples of such joint ventures are already being discussed - training grants, tobacco control, prion research, brain repair, gene therapy. Communications is a key area for this large Institute and ways must be found to increase its visibility to the general public and the scientific community. Discussions should be started immediately with CIHR central office to establish a communication strategy (Web, Newsletters etc.) for INMHA. The possibility of hiring a specialist in communication for INMHA was discussed.

Mr. Phil Upshall reported on early discussions of the Governmental Affairs focus group. He referred to the need for a coordinated effort by the IAB and all staff of the Institute in this area, starting at the level of MPs and including all other government officials. The key is to increase awareness by government of the very broad mandate of the Institute and the need for adequate support. In a move designed to build a relationship with NGOs relevant to INMHA, a first meeting with a representative group will occur in Ottawa on June 23/24, 2001.

Dr. Stan Kutcher summarized the early discussions of the focus group on International Affairs. This group highlighted the need for the Institute to be present and active on the international scene with representatives at key meetings, participation as members of International societies, voices at the World Health Organization (WHO) and related agencies, collaborations with other Canadian agencies aimed at supporting research at the international level (e.g. CIDA and External Affairs). In that regard the Institute Liaison is working with CIHR Communications staff to develop display booths and exhibit materials for INMHA and the other Institutes. The Scientific Director also summarized early discussions at the international level with Japan, Israel and Mexico. Several National Institutes of Health (NIH) Institutes (NIMH, NINDS, NIE, NIDA, NIA, NIHAD) will be visited in the Fall to develop strong links with our U.S. Partners.

The future steps in the development of a Strategic Plan were summarized by Mrs. Cavaliere. A strict timetable will have to be followed if the plan is to be finalized in the early Fall. Interviews are being conducted with various stakeholders including scientists, NGOs, CIHR, other Institutes, the pharmaceutical and biotech industries and governments to find out their hopes and expectations regarding INMHA. Input is solicited from all sectors of the community. Data are also being gathered on the burden of the diseases that fall within the mandate of the Institute as well as on the incidence and societal costs of these diseases.

The afternoon session began with a discussion of early strategic initiatives and training grant programs for INMHA. There was agreement it would be preferable at this time not to prioritize areas in which training grant programs will be supported. Accordingly, training grants supported by INMHA can be in any fields relevant to the mandate of the Institute and will be evaluated on the basis of excellence, innovation and multi-disciplinarity. In later years priority may be given to specific areas such as training in biostatistics, health care delivery or gene therapy. The Chair, Dr. Tony Phillips, then summarized one idea on how to take advantage of the recently announced CFI International Grant program. The aim is to develop new technologies in imaging and is entitled "Imaging: from molecules to mind". This proposal was well received by the IAB because it will involve basic scientists interested in cellular imaging, bioengineers and computer specialists as well as clinicians and health care specialists doing brain imaging for neurological, psychiatric and addiction related disorders. Canada has acknowledged strength in many of these fields and interested partners include Japanese, French and possibly Swedish investigators.

Finally, Dr. Quirion summarized his initial proposal on strategic initiatives that are perceived to be inclusive and might be undertaken in the short term. In addition to a special focus on research concerned with ethics, the following four global themes were presented (i) First Episodes in brain and mental illnesses and their impact on the evolution of the disorder (e.g. Epilepsy, psychosis, depressive illnesses, ADHD and drug abuse), (ii) co-morbidity, (III) brain repair and gene therapy, and (IV) the Senses (blindness, hearing loss, pain etc.). These were all deemed to merit further development and the attached text will provide further details. After further discussion and with input which is earnestly requested from the community, RFAs will be developed and partners such as other Institutes and NGOs will be sought to ensure that adequate human and financial resources will be made available. At a later stage it is likely that much more focused RFAs will be supported if INMHA has sufficient resources. Examples might include suicide, autism, cocaine abuse, epilepsy, tobacco abuse and gambling.

The next IAB meeting will be held on June 27 with the focus on strategic planning.