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Ottawa researchers play key role in new network for neuromuscular disease


June 17, 2014

Drs. Rashmi Kothary, Bernard Jasmin, Jodi Warman and Hugh McMillan will be co-principal investigators in the newly launched Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Network. Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Muscular Dystrophy Canada, the Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Network aims to improve clinical care and advance research in neuromuscular disease with expertise from around the country. The new network also hopes to empower patients and families through improved access to needed information, resources, and connections with each other through a patient portal. Neuromuscular diseases as a group include over 150 different conditions, including muscular dystrophies, multiple sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). The Network is a result of a $575,613 investment from a CIHR Network Catalyst grant from the CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis and $155,820 from Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Four of the 11 investigators listed on the grant are based in Ottawa.

About the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) is the research arm of The Ottawa Hospital and is an affiliated institute of the University of Ottawa, closely associated with the university’s Faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences. OHRI includes more than 1,700 scientists, clinical investigators, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and staff conducting research to improve the understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human disease.

Media contact
Paddy Moore
Communications and Public Relations
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
613-737-8899 x73687
613-323-5680 (cell)
padmoore@ohri.ca