Ontario Brain Institute

🌍 This World Health Day, we’re celebrating how data sharing is driving global progress in brain health. At the Ontario Brain Institute (OBI), we know that every data point—whether it comes from a brain scan, blood test, or clinical questionnaire—has the potential to change lives. 🔬 Through Brain-CODE, our state-of-the-art neuroinformatics platform, we’re making critical patient data available to the international scientific community—while protecting the privacy and identity of every research participant. This sets Ontario apart as a global leader in open science and data sharing. By enabling secure, ethical data reuse, Brain-CODE helps researchers around the world uncover answers to complex brain disorders—from autism and Alzheimer’s to concussion and depression. As Dr. Vânia Guimarães of Fraunhofer Portugal AICOS shares: “Getting access to [Brain-CODE] data was crucial for advancing my PhD research… The substantial value of [the dementia dataset] extends beyond its utility for researchers; it holds significant potential to benefit patients and caregivers as well.” On this #WorldHealthDay, we’re proud to recognize how data can go beyond a single study to support discovery, care, and innovation. 💡 🔗 Read more about Brain-CODE: https://lnkd.in/gky8ijuD    #BrainHealth #OpenScience #BrainCODE #DataForHealth #Research

🔬 What if psychiatry had clinical tests that could diagnose mental illness early—enabling more timely, personalized, and effective care? As part of The Future of Brain Health: Perspectives from the OBI Network campaign, we’re spotlighting scientists who are advancing innovation across the OBI's Integrated Discovery Programs (IDPs). This feature highlights Dr. Jane Foster—an internationally recognized expert in brain-immune interactions in mental health. A member of both CAN-BIND Depression Network and POND Network, Dr. Foster is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and a member of its Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care. Dr. Foster shares her vision for the future of biomarker discovery and its potential to transform psychiatry. She also emphasizes the importance of engaging early-career scientists in translational research that bridges discovery and clinical impact. 🧠 #BrainHealth #FutureOfBrainHealth #OBINetwork #Neuroscience #MentalHealthResearch #TranslationalScience #PrecisionHealth

How can we improve mental health care for youth seeking support for multiple mental health concerns? 💡 As part of our ongoing 'Perspectives from the OBI Network' series, we’re proud to spotlight Dr. Louise Gallagher, Principal Investigator of CALM (Cohort Network for Adolescents and Youth with Multiple Mental Health Conditions), an Integrated Discovery Program supported by the Ontario Brain Institute. In this short video, Dr. Gallagher shares how CALM is transforming care for youth by bringing together diverse disciplines to create a more integrated, coordinated approach to mental health care and research. She also reflects on what gives her hope for the road ahead: the potential of precision-based psychiatry to deliver more personalized, effective care for all. Learn more about CALM: https://www.calmstudy.ca #BrainHealth #YouthMentalHealth #MentalHealthResearch #OBINetwork #PrecisionPsychiatry #HealthcareInnovation University of Toronto | CAMH | The Hospital for Sick Children

What if we could personalize concussion care with precision health? 🧠🔬 As part of The Future of Brain Health: Perspectives from the OBI Network campaign, we are spotlighting the dedicated researchers and scientists driving innovation within our Integrated Discovery Programs. In this feature, Dr. Roger Zemek, Principal Investigator of TRANSCENDENT Concussion Research Program, shares how his team is advancing precision health in concussion research. By leveraging nuanced data and fostering cross-collaboration, TRANSCENDENT is working to improve concussion care and patient outcomes. 🔗 Learn more about TRANSCENDENT: https://lnkd.in/g4evsWNa #BrainHealth #ConcussionResearch #PrecisionHealth #OBINetwork #FutureOfBrainHealth CHEO Research Institute | CHEO | University of Ottawa | 360 Concussion Care

This World Autism Day, we have so much to celebrate! With over 1,000 members, Autism Alliance of Canada | Alliance canadienne de l'autisme continues to build a more inclusive Canada. In 2024, Canada’s Autism Strategy was released. While this is a major achievement, we know that action is just as important as policy. That’s why we’re excited to move forward with the National Autism Network, powered by Autism Alliance of Canada and The Sinneave Family Foundation, to help implement the Strategy, with a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada | Agence de la santé publique du Canada. And soon, we’ll be gathering for the Canadian Autism Leadership Summit (CALS2025), where experts, advocates, and community members will come together to discuss the path ahead. Throughout Autism Acceptance Month, we’ll be sharing stories of impact from our members—stay tuned! In the meantime, check out our latest blog for resources, updates, and ways to get involved. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gPYpVTva #WorldAutismDay #AutismAcceptance #AutismCanada #CALS2025 #AutismStrategy2024 #AutismAcceptanceMonth

🌍💙 Today is #WorldAutismAcceptanceDay! In order to move beyond awareness to true acceptance, we need to recognize, understand, and celebrate Autistic people for who they are. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada | Agence de la santé publique du Canada, 1 in 50 children and youth in Canada are Autistic, highlighting the need for inclusive communities, advocacy, and research that drives meaningful impact. As part of this effort, we’re spotlighting POND (the Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Network)—one of our Integrated Discovery Programs—leading the way in neurodevelopmental research. POND Network is transforming our understanding of neurodevelopmental conditions by exploring their underlying biology, uncovering connections across diagnoses, and driving innovations in care. Through this research approach, POND strives to develop more targeted, personalized interventions that improve outcomes and enhance quality of life. 🔬 Want to get involved? Learn more about POND’s ongoing studies and how you can contribute: https://lnkd.in/gpeF3pNA Autistic individuals and their families play a vital role in shaping inclusive, evidence-based care through research. Help spread awareness by sharing these important studies! #AutismAcceptance #Neurodiversity #BrainHealth #CelebrateTheSpectrum #AutismMatters

🌿 Today is National Caregiver Day in Canada – a day to recognize the millions of Canadians who selflessly care for loved ones. Did you know? Nearly 8 million caregivers in Canada provide 5.7 billion hours of unpaid care every year—work valued at over $97 billion. Yet, caregiving remains undervalued and undersupported. Many caregivers struggle financially, experience social isolation, and face ageism, all while playing a vital role in keeping our health care system afloat. This National Caregiver Day, prioritize caregiving as a fundamental public policy issue to ensure that Canada’s ageing population receives the support it needs to thrive.💙 https://lnkd.in/eYimWKjp #NationalCaregiverDay #ThankYouCaregivers

March was #MusicTherapyMonth! As we wrap up the month, we’re spotlighting LUCID, an OBI portfolio company that transforms music into medicine to support mental health. 🌟 Zachary McMahon, CEO and Co-founder of LUCID, joined OBI’s NERVE 2019 cohort, gaining the mentorship, funding, and connections needed to scale his company—turning innovation into impact. Today, LUCID is harnessing AI-personalized music to unlock the power of sound for those who need it most. Are you an early-stage neurotech entrepreneur? NERVE provides funding, mentorship, and industry connections to help you launch and grow your business. 🚀 Apply by April 20th and take your innovation to the next level: https://lnkd.in/gyEz687D #Neurotechnology #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #BrainHealth

📢 Brainhack School 2025 is now open for student registrations! The Ontario Brain Institute’s Centre for Analytics, in collaboration with Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics at CAMH, is proud to support the Brainhack School, a 4-week hybrid training program in neural data science taking place May 5-30, 2025, across nine global hubs – including Toronto. Designed for students in neuroscience, engineering, psychology, and computer science, this program provides hands-on training in open data science tools and neuroinformatics. Participants will: ✔ Build skills in open science and neural data analysis ✔ Apply their learning to self-proposed projects ✔ Present their work at the end of the program Toronto Hub: Led by Erin W. Dickie (Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, CAMH) with support from OBI’s Centre for Analytics, the program will rotate locations to highlight the diversity of research happening in Toronto. Accredited Course: Recognized by the University of Toronto’s Institute for Medical Sciences Graduate Program (MSC1127H, 0.25 FTE). 🎓 The application deadline is April 22, 2025. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gWSa2j_r For more about Brainhack School: https://lnkd.in/e2hPeDVA #BrainhackSchool #DataScience #Neuroinformatics #OpenScience #BrainHealth

🚨 Reminder: Our Webinar is Happening Today! Join us this afternoon from 4:00-5:00 PM EST for a thought-provoking discussion hosted by the TRANSCENDENT Concussion Research Program. We’ll be diving into the intersection of caregiving and older adults who have experienced a concussion, an often overlooked area in concussion research. 🎙 Speakers: ▪️Trudy Blugerman BSc, DipCS, MSW – Advocate & caregiver for an older adult family member with multiple concussions. ▪️Dr. Sharon Johnston– Sharing the latest insights on concussions in older adults and answering key caregiver questions. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from experts and caregivers shedding light on this important topic. 📍 Register now: https://lnkd.in/g4X58M7q