Why Brain and Mental Health Research Can Be Canada’s Next Innovation Engine

Charting a path to a brain-healthy future is both urgent and essential. These are ideal conditions for bold innovation and policy change.

As famed neuropsychologist Brenda Milner celebrated her 106th birthday in Montreal, new Alzheimer’s drugs that combat memory loss and cognitive decline were finally hitting the market.

Milner’s discovery that brain regions specialize in memory and cognition is now the stuff of scientific textbooks, transforming our understanding of how memories form and shape identity. Building on Milner’s groundbreaking work, today’s scientists are making unprecedented strides in understanding and treating memory disorders. Researchers can now pinpoint the molecules and cells involved in memory processes, watch memories form in real-time, and even slow cognitive decline.

A threshold has been crossed: Breakthroughs in brain research have become innovations that profoundly change lives. Finally, doctors can alter the trajectory of Alzheimer’s, and other advances are improving outcomes for those with stroke, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and depression.

Canada is poised to lead this new frontier of science, thanks to the legacy of pioneers like Milner and the generations of innovators they’ve inspired. If we seize the opportunity, brain and mental health research could become a cornerstone of Canada’s innovation economy, enhancing the health and well-being of Canadians and creating a ripple effect across society.

Canada’s leadership in neuroscience:

• Canada excels in neuroscience and mental health research, ranking among the top five in the world.
• Canadians specialize in neuroscience more than any other research area, surpassing all other G7 nations.
• Canadian discoveries and new treatment innovations have had global impact.

The global surge in brain health innovation

The global surge in brain health innovation is reshaping how we understand and treat neurological and mental health conditions. This innovation encompasses advancements in diagnostic tools, pharmaceuticals, cognitive therapies, and neurotechnologies — devices that interact with the nervous system to monitor, modulate, or enhance brain activity.

Several factors are driving this boom: decades of research into brain function in health and disease, increased public and private investment, powerful new technologies for studying the brain, and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), which enables complex brain data analysis. The aging population and rising demand for effective treatments for conditions like dementia also contribute to this momentum.

For the one in five Canadians who will be diagnosed with a brain or mental health condition in their lifetime, the future is brighter. While cures for many neurological and psychiatric conditions remain elusive, treatments are increasing and becoming more effective.

For example, Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the world. Today, many Canadians diagnosed with MS can lead a life free of disability due to the development of drugs that target the immune system. Researchers are exploring strategies to protect nerve cells and restore lost myelin in MS patients. Experts predict an explosion of treatment options in the coming decade. Similarly, new drugs for a hereditary form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, can halt disease progression. For stroke, doctors can now rapidly restore blood flow, improving patient outcomes and reducing long-term disability and mortality. For people with brain and spinal cord injuries, there are new rehabilitation techniques and devices that stimulate the nervous system to restore lost function.

Canadian scientists have played a key role in many of these breakthroughs, a testament to our nation’s contribution to global brain and mental health research.

Beyond public health

The benefits of brain health innovation extend beyond public health. Brain science is a force multiplier, driving advancements in related fields like AI, education and technology, fueling more innovations and contributing to economic growth. Canadian scientists were pioneers in developing artificial neural networks (ANNs), which became foundational to AI. ANNs, modelled on biological neurons and brain processes, now have the potential to revolutionize brain research. Advances in brain science will, in turn, improve AI models in a virtuous cycle.

Brain research also cultivates a highly skilled workforce, including PhD researchers, clinicians, healthcare professionals and others in the public and private sectors. This workforce is the foundation of a thriving innovation ecosystem, essential for turning ideas into societal benefits.

Turning vision into reality

To realize this vision, Canada needs to bet big on brain research, much like it has in AI, quantum science and other emerging sectors. Yes, that means spending more money on brain and mental health research, including increased funding from governments and financing from the private sector. However, funding must also be long-term and stable — because understanding the brain and translating that knowledge into products and services is a complex challenge that demands a long-term commitment.

Beyond funding, Canada must build an ecosystem that spans basic research to commercialization. Many elements are already in place: world-class universities and research institutes, state-of-the-art facilities, data and computing resources, and a highly skilled workforce. What’s missing is the efficient transfer of scientific breakthroughs to real-world applications, which requires more interdisciplinary collaboration, academic-industry partnerships, and streamlined research and regulatory processes.

With a wave of brain health innovations on the horizon, Canada must act now to strengthen its brain and mental health research ecosystem and honour the legacy of pioneers like Brenda Milner.

This editorial reflects the key insights and diverse perspectives shared during a panel discussion organized by the Canadian Brain Research Strategy, featuring experts in brain research and mental health. The content is a synthesis of their contributions and opinions.