Ontario brains put their heads together

Theres much excitement in the scientific world over three Ontario Brain Institute projects expected to make new discoveries in treating autism, epilepsy and cerebral palsy.

Were going after the brass ring, explains Dr. Peter Szatmari about the significance of the research to be done. Szatmari is director of the Offord Centre for Child Studies in Hamilton, head of psychiatry at McMaster Childrens Hospital and a McMaster University psychiatry and behavioural neuroscience professor. He is also one of five lead researchers in the Institutes project on finding better treatments for neurodevelopment disorders.

Szatmari said he wont use the word cure, but he does expect great things, and at the very least, vast improvements to be found in treating children suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorders and others disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity and Obsessive Compulsive.

Were now at the stage where we think we can make significant advancements in treatment, said Szatmari, who has studied autism disorders for 30 years.

Ive been in this game a long time, so Im excited to work with not only McMaster researchers but new colleagues and scientists from across Ontario.

Its a novel approach of everyone working together for the common goal of reducing the suffering and severity of autism and how common it is becoming, he said. It also brings in scientists studying other disciplines like trauma or vision to provide new perspectives and possibilities, he said.

Were attracting all these fantastic talents and building bridges. Thats what the Brain Institute is allowing us to do.

The Ontario Brain Institute was created by the provincial government in 2010 to bring together the top brain researchers and business experts who can turn their discoveries into products and services. The three projects announced Monday are its first and involve 80 researchers across Ontario.

Szatmari is the point person at McMaster for the disorders project, which includes a small clinical trial on new medications. He will also identify potential environmental risks for developing autism such as low birth weight or advanced parental age, he said.

Two other McMaster University researchers and professors, Dr. Gabriel Ronen and Dr. Michelle Shapiro are among 26 researchers in the project on new epilepsy treatments.

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Ontario brains put their heads together