Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction
In partnership with
Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health
The study of « Early Life Events and First Episodes of Brain Disorders » is one of the four large Strategic Initiatives described in INMHA Strategic Plan. With the present RFA, the Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addictions and the Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health hope to challenge researchers working across a host of disciplines representing the full spectrum of health research to undertake work that will contribute to a better understanding ot the aetiology of brain disorders and to the development of more appropriate diagnosis, individualized therapies, improved quality of care, better health services and population health strategies .
Investigators interested in this RFA may wish to visit the related funding opportunity, from the Institute of Genetics: « Genomic Medicine and Human Development -- Operating Grants »
Summary
Introduction
Background
Partners
Objectives and Eligible Research Areas
Funding Information
Contact Information
Description of Partners
The first months and years of life, including the intra-uterine period, have a profound influence on the development of the nervous system. Early life events may manifest themselves over the long term as communication disorders, neurological and mental illnesses, addiction and suicidal behavior, as well as through individual differences within the normal spectrum of functions such as response to stress and sensory functions. Early life events in combination with genetic predispositions (genetic and epigenetic factors) are also likely to contribute to the onset of disorders and illnesses such as autism, attention deficit hyperactive disorders (ADHD), fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), schizophrenia, depression, epilepsy and many others.
Recent evidence strongly suggests that appropriate diagnosis and effective treatment of first episodes of various neurological and mental illnesses, as well as disorders of the senses (vision, audition, pain, etc.) and possibly addictions, lead to better clinical outcomes and improved quality of life for the patients and their social network. This is likely true not only for schizophrenia and depressive illnesses, but also for epilepsy, sleep disorders, alcohol abuse, stroke and many other brain, spinal cord and sensory illnesses or disorders.
However, research in these areas is still in its infancy. During the last two decades, there has been an increased interest in research in first episodes of psychosis. Early studies have focused on risk factors, etiology, pathophysiology mechanisms and epidemiology and in the last decade, on early treatment and its effect on outcome. The preventive research is now extending to the pre-psychotic phase and examining the potential of indicated prevention.
Research in first episodes of brain disorders other than psychosis is relatively limited. However, there are more common issues both in the questions to be asked and the method to be used than there are differences. Key also is the link between genetic and epigenetic, "environmental" factors taken in a broad sense.
At the present time, there is a lack of integrative research both at the interface between neurobiology and social and psychological environment as well as between various approaches to treatment and prevention. The potential is great in terms of developing new, ethically-sound diagnostic markers using phenomenological indicators, gene identification, epigenetics markers, brain imaging, improved cognitive tests, hormonal status in stress-related situations - to name just a few - that may lead to the development of more appropriate, individualized therapies, improved quality of care, better health services and population health strategies. Early intervention strategies have also been shown to potentially lead to decreased co-morbidity, to prevent the onset of secondary disorders and to improve functioning across a variety of personal, social and economic environments. With its universal health care system, Canada is in a unique position to be a world leader in the study of early life events and first episodes in brain, spinal cord and senses related diseases.
Stigma and discrimination play important roles in the experience of health problems by patients, families, professionals, health and legal systems and society at large. This is especially true for brain, spinal cord and sensory disorders and addictions. They may influence how problems are detected and treated, as well as outcomes following intervention, help-seeking, course of disease, etc. This research theme will be funded through a "New Discoveries: High Risk Seed Grant Program".
During its first year, INMHA drew upon suggestions made by members of its Advisory Board, the scientific community at large as well as non governmental and volunteer health organization to identify major research initiatives that will enable Canada research to play a leadership role at the international level. This strategy led to the development of four broad initiatives, one of which was Early Life Events and First Episodes of Brain Disorders. One of the first initiatives of INMHA was a New Emerging Team Grant Program on Neurodevelopment and Early Life Events launched during June 2001. Four teams were funded under this initiative.
The present RFA grew out a consultation held in February 9-10, 2004, in Montreal on "Early Life Events and First Episodes of Brain Disorders", at which more than 40 leading scientists, practitioners, decision-makers and NGO and industry representatives in Canada identified an innovative, multi-faceted agenda for high quality research, spanning multiple disciplines and pillars. In addition to highlighting priority populations and topic areas, the agenda calls for attention to fostering new research methods, increasing research capacity, facilitating knowledge translation, managing research data, and building national and international collaborations.
Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction is dedicated to identifying and developing collaborations with other CIHR institute(s), branch(es) or office(s), funding organizations and stakeholders to enhance the availability of funding for this strategic initiative, and to create, where appropriate, opportunities for knowledge exchange and translation related to the scope of this particular initiative. Applicants are invited to visit the Descriptions of Partners to find a list of partners and their respective mandates and/or strategic interests. This list will continue to evolve as new partners join in this initiative. The specific research foci and requirements for each partner are outlined in the section "Objectives and Eligible Research Areas."
The objectives of this initiative are:
Eligible research areas include:
Examples of research that might be conducted under this Request for Applications are provided below. These examples are not intended to be exhaustive and there is no intent to imply that applications in these research areas would be more successful than those in other research areas.
Early Detection and Interventions. Research is occurring related to early case identification in psychosis and phase appropriate intervention. There is some targeted research regarding high risk cases for other disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, autism, schizophrenia, addictions, suicide, epilepsy, glaucoma, etc.).
Genetic, Biological Interactions in Brain Development. The developing brain and spinal cord are exposed to environmental risks both prenatally and postnatally and this may affect the remodeling and pruning of neural connections. Current models should incorporate a combination of genetic vulnerability and environmental stressors.
Intergenerational Transmission. The intergenerational transmission of disorders (e.g., addictions, psychoses and bipolar disorders) and behaviours (e.g., suicide, school dropout, etc.) are impacted by biological, psychological and social variables. The way in which (i.e., mechanisms) these variables effect change across generations may vary over time and with each generation. Models are needed that show how these variables impact and interact on the disorder/behaviour over time. Intervention studies are needed to show how changes in these variables can affect the trajectories of disorders/behaviours over time and generations.
Risk and Protective Factors. In epidemiology, a risk factor is a characteristic associated with a higher (or lower) probability that a problem will occur and is therefore associated with a high (or low) risk. It is often difficult to establish specificity of risks factors. For example, a number of studies show that parental neglect and inconsistent parental discipline are risk factors associated with substance abuse, depression and anxiety. Furthermore, it is difficult to manipulate risk factors in order to reduce brain disorders.
The objective for this theme area is to elucidate the interplay between risk and protective factors and their underlying mechanisms, with particular attention to the following areas:
There is a large gap in our knowledge as to how the underlying causal mechanisms influence onset, clinical course and outcomes of specific disorders. Development and testing of specific models will be encouraged as well as studies on how risk factors are sensitive to developmental stages.
Examples of research relevant to this topic include but are not limited to the studies of:
Stigma and Discrimination. Stigma and discrimination play important roles in the experience of health problems by patients, families, professionals, health and legal systems and society at large. This is especially true for brain, spinal cord and sensory disorders and addictions. They may influence how problems are detected and treated, as well as outcomes following intervention, help-seeking, course of disease, etc. This research theme looks at the social influences on outcomes of individuals with early onset brain illnesses, including culture, stigma and social support. The variables of sex and gender are particularly important. In addition, prediction and improvement of social/functional outcomes (such as educational attainment, employment and quality of life) are explored.
There is research mostly on impact of stigma, less on effective interventions to reduce stigma and discrimination, as well as social support and outcomes on stigma. There is significant evidence that the level of social support predicts outcome (especially in the field of psychosis); cultural factors are also known to play a role.
Examples of research relevant to this topic include but are not limited to the studies of:
N. B. This research theme on Stigma and Discrimination will be funded only through the New Discoveries High Risk Seed Grants.
Valid Measures. Results are affected by the type and quality of instruments we use. Currently "invalid" results are common because:
Examples of research relevant to this topic include but are not limited to the studies of:
Funds Available
Based on the total funds available for the initiative, applications will be funded from the top-ranked down as far as budgets will allow. Applications receiving a score of less than 3.5 will not be considered for funding.
Mechanisms of Support
To apply for the Strategic Initiative Early Life Events and First Episodes of Brain Disorders please refer to the Specific Requests for Applications (RFAs) below:
| Request for Applications | Funding | Timelines |
| New Discoveries: High-Risk Seed Grants RFA is designed to encourage novel, innovative, and inventive research in stigma and discrimination as outlined in this strategic initiative. | Up to $60,000 per year, for 2 years | Registration: September 1, 2005. Full application deadline: December 2 2005. |
| New Emerging Team Grants RFA is intended to support the creation or development of teams of investigators undertaking collaborative multidisciplinary research in any of the eligible research areas outlined in this strategic initiative except stigma and discrimination. | Up to $300,000 per year, for 5 years. |
Letter of Intent: April 1, 2005 Applicants are notified of the results of the letter of intent review by July 2005. Full Proposal: December 2, 2005. |
For questions on CIHR funding guidelines, how to apply, and the peer review process contact:
Dominique Lalonde
Program Delivery Officer
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: (613) 941-1090
E-mail: dlalonde@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
For questions about this initiative and research objectives contact:
Richard Brière
Assistant Director
Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction
Telephone: (514)-761-6131 extension 3930
E-mail: richard.briere@douglas.mcgill.ca
Anne-Cécile Desfaits
Assistant Director
Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health
Telephone: (514)-412-4414
E-mail: acdesfaits@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Note: Additional partners, including partners from industry and the private sector are expected to join this funding initiative over the coming year.
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
CIHR is Canada's major federal funding agency for health research. Its objective is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care system.
CIHR - Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA)
The vision of the is that innovative research will provide Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction new knowledge of the biological and socio-cultural processes underlying neurological, mental and addictive disorders. As such, the INMHA's mission is to foster excellence in innovative, ethically responsible research in Canada that aims to increase our knowledge of the functioning and disorders of the brain and the mind, the spinal cord, the sensory and motor systems, as well as mental health, mental illness and all forms of addiction. The INMHA intends to support initiatives that mobilize and link scientists in innovative collaborative programs across these research domains. The INMHA seeks to translate this new knowledge into a better quality of life for all Canadians through improved outcomes, health promotion and health care services.
CIHR - Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH)
The CIHR Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health will support research to enhance maternal, child, and youth health and to address causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, short- and long-term support systems, and palliation for a wide range of health concerns associated with reproduction, early development, childhood, and adolescence.
