Ontario Brain Institute Invests $640K to Drive Innovations in Brain Health

Canada’s Ontario Brain Institute (OBI) has announced a $640,000 investment into several new projects through its Centre for Analytics (CfA).

The investment will specifically fund eight new initiatives aimed at fostering the development of innovative technologies that better detect, predict and treat brain disorders.

The new analytics initiatives span mental health and concussion to eye care. OBI said each initiative will harness CfA’s advanced computing, AI and machine learning to enhance diagnosis, treatment and research across neurology, psychiatry and beyond.

OBI is a provincially funded, not-for-profit organization. It drives discovery and innovation to benefit both patients and the Canadian economy.

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“We are committed to bridging scientific discovery and innovation, and these groundbreaking AI-driven projects represent the next frontier in brain health research. By integrating advanced computing with neuroscience, we can accelerate early diagnosis, improve treatment precision and develop more effective tools for managing neurological conditions,” said OBI’s president and scientific director, Dr. Tom Mikkelsen.

“This investment not only strengthens Ontario’s leadership in brain health but also positions Canada at the forefront of global innovation, ensuring that our homegrown research continues to drive better outcomes for patients and greater economic opportunity for our communities.”

Brain Analytics Initiatives

The new analytics initiatives include ‘Voices for Mental Health,’ which uses speech patterns for early mental health diagnosis.

‘Accelerating Mental Health Precision Trials’ will focus on optimizing trial design with patient data from Brain-CODE, OBI’s neuroinformatics platform.

‘Measurement of Psychomotor Speed’ tracks cognitive function using speech and movement data.

Other initiatives include an integrated multimodal biotyping toolbox to personalize depression treatment, ‘ADVISING’ (Autonomic Dysfunction using Vital-sign Indicators to Subtype via Integrated Neuroanalytics for Guidance) to predict autonomic dysfunction in concussions and AI-enhanced portable brain imaging to increase diagnostic accessibility.

Additional efforts include AI-driven optic nerve damage detection and depression subtype modeling to improve treatment outcomes using brain and genetic data.

Related: UHN Launches “Canada Leads 100 Challenge” to Recruit World-Class Scientists as US Research Climate Grows Uncertain

Since its launch in 2010, OBI has supported over 100 companies that have brought 26 new products to market. It has secured over $304 million in follow-on investments, strengthening Ontario’s economy and elevating the province’s position in neuroscience research.

OBI aims to position the province as a world leader in brain research, commercialization and care.

Last year, OBI awarded $700,000 in entrepreneurial funding to support neurotechnology companies through its NeuroTech Ontario program. The program aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of brain health innovations across the province.

Ontario is accelerating its push to become a global leader in life sciences. The province has been ramping up investments across research, innovation and infrastructure.

This month, Toronto-based University Health Network (UHN) announced the Canada Leads 100 Challenge to recruit 100 top scientists.

Additionally, the province announced a $40 million investment in its life sciences sector last year. The investment will support startups and expand the commercialization of new technologies.

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