Canadian Stroke Network receives $19.2M federal grant

The Canadian Stroke Network, one of Canada's Networks of Centres of Excellence, has received $19.2 million from the federal government over three years to support valuable research into stroke, one of the leading causes of death and disability in Canada.

Research funds for the University of Ottawa-based network, led by CEO and Scientific Director Dr. Antoine Hakim, will be used from 2010 to 2013 to:

• support large clinical trials focused on prevention and rehabilitation
• fund a 12-centre research project looking at ways to protect the brain after stroke
• study the link between dementia and stroke
• work with researchers in countries around the world to identify emerging risk factors
• support the Registry of the Canadian Stroke Network, which is monitoring and evaluating care
• support the Canadian Stroke Strategy, a national initiative developed in partnership with the Heart and Stroke Foundation to improve stroke services in every province and territory
• conduct an audit of stroke care across the country and produce a National Stroke Report in 2010
• finance its award-winning training program
• support the first Canadian Stroke Congress in 2010, organized in partnership with the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Canadian Stroke Consortium
• support the National Stroke Nursing Council

Established in 1999, the Canadian Stroke Network has already made a significant impact on stroke research, prevention, care and recovery. Its funding renewal, awarded after a rigorous review by an international panel of experts, will permit this work to continue.

"We are extremely pleased that Canada has been recognized as an international leader in the field of stroke and that the federal government is making a strong commitment to support this important research," says Dr. Hakim, who is also head of Neuroscience at the University of Ottawa and the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI). More than 50,000 Canadians have a major stroke every year and another 300,000 Canadians are living with the consequences of stroke.

"We have a sense of purpose, a plan to push ahead with changes needed to reduce the impact of stroke, and a list of achievable goals," says Michael Cloutier, chair of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Stroke Network. "This funding will enable valuable research to continue and it will support promising new initiatives."

Sally Brown, CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, said: "We are extremely proud of our relationship and involvement with the Canadian Stroke Network. We look forward to continuing to work together to prevent stroke and to improve care and recovery."