The latest Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research (Future Leaders) cohort was announced today, welcoming a Carleton University researcher for the first time.
Awarded to Argel Aguilar-Valles of the Department of Neuroscience, Future Leaders was established by Brain Canada in 2019 to support early-career researchers advancing brain health. Aguilar-Valles is among a cohort of 22 researchers in Canada, each receiving $100,000 to enhance their innovative projects.
In a press release earlier today, Dr. Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada, said, “These outstanding early-career researchers are tackling some of the most pressing challenges in brain health. By investing in their creativity and talent, we are building the foundation for breakthroughs that will transform lives.”
The Future Leaders award will support Aguilar-Valles’ lab work to uncover mechanisms that could pave the way for innovative depression treatments, specifically ones that target brain myelination, offering hope to millions of individuals struggling with this condition. Research shows that people with depression often have deficits in myelination, a process in which nerve fibres throughout the body are coated with a protective layer called myelin. Myelin is essential for efficient brain communication and affects various functions, including mood regulation.
Psychedelic drugs, known for their profound effects on perception, are showing promise as rapid and long-lasting treatments for depression. This is especially important given the increasing number of people diagnosed with depression and the high rates of resistance to current treatments.
To develop safe and effective therapies, the Aguilar-Valles Lab will explore three key questions:
- Can psychedelics reverse myelination deficits in the adult brain?
- Is myelination necessary for their antidepressant effects?
- What are the biological mechanisms driving these changes?
“By using advanced techniques, such as electron microscopy and genetic tools,” said Aguilar-Valles. “My research team aims to determine how psychedelics influence myelination and whether this contributes to their antidepressant properties.”
Learn more about Aguilar-Valles’ research.
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