The Government of Canada announced today (May 31), as part of the 2024 budget, renewed funding for Brain Canada Foundation (Brain Canada) with a commitment of $80 million over four years.
Brain Canada is a charity that supports and advances brain research. The charity will match the government's investment for a total of $160 million through the Canada Brain Research Fund to improve health outcomes and quality of life for people in Canada.
According to a government media release, high rates of brain and neurological diseases, disorders, illnesses and other health conditions are impacting thousands of people across Canada. One in three people in the country will face a neurological disease or neuropsychiatric disorder in their lifetime.
Canada's aging population is a big factor in the increase of brain illnesses. There are more than a thousand brain diseases and disorders, including mental health diseases; neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis; brain and spinal cord injuries; brain cancer; and stroke.
As the population ages, incidences of brain diseases and disorders, and the cost of caring for affected individuals, are expected to rise, putting additional stress on an already strained system.
Today, Steven Guilbeault, minister of environment and climate change, and Marc Miller, minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship of Canada, on behalf of Mark Holland, minister of health, reaffirmed the government’s support for the advancement of brain research.
"By supporting innovative studies and collaboration, we are taking important steps towards understanding and treating neurological conditions, ultimately improving quality of life for all people in Canada," stated Guilbeault.
Brain Canada supports innovative approaches to develop treatments and supports research that focuses on understanding how the brain works, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of disorders of the brain, the release stated.
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