We firmly believe that the best way to find a cure for neuromuscular disorders is through collaboration, innovative research, and a rigorous adherence to scientific principles. We offer different programs and funding opportunities to support research.

We currently offer research funding through:

Grants

Year Lead Investigator Affilliation, Lead Investigator Name of Project Grant Program Disorder Keywords
2020 - 2022 Dr. Luc Hébert Université Laval, QU Muscle strength reference values for adults: a critical need in NMD MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Neuromuscular Disorders
2019/2020 to 2022/2023 Dr. Hans Lochmuller National NMD4C: An integrated research network for patients, scientists, and clinicians to improve outcomes and access to therapies for patients with neuromuscular disorders in Canada CIHR Partnership - Network Catalyst Grant Neuromuscular Disorders
2020 - 2023 Dr. Michael Rudnicki Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, ON A multidimensional single-cell approach to understand muscle dystrophy CIHR Partnership - EJPRD Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, LAMA2-related Muscular Dystrophy
2020 - 2022 Dr. Reshma Amin The Hospital for Sick Children, ON A Virtual Transition Intervention For Children and Adults Transitioning To Home Ventilation in Ontario: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Tria CIHR Partnership- Team Grant Transitions in care gaps Neuromuscular Disorders
2020 - 2022 Dr. Martine Tétreault Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, QU Identification of modifiers underlying the variable phenotypes of RYR1 myopathy MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Congenital Myopathy; RYR1 myopathy
2020 - 2022 Dr. Rashmi Kothary Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, ON Canonical disease features in a novel mouse model of SMA type III and IV MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Spinal Muscular Atrophy
2020 - 2022 Dr. Vladimir Ljubicic McMaster University, ON Reverse translation from the diabetes clinic to pre-clinical muscular dystrophy MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Myotonic Dystrophy; Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
2020 - 2022 Dr. Benjamin Gallais Cégep de Jonquière, QU Empowering caregivers to better manage DM patients' neurobehavioral symptoms MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Myotonic Dystrophy
2020 - 2022 Dr. Benoit Gentil The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/ McGill University, QU Therapeutic potential of CK1 agonists in inherited peripheral neuropathies MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies, Charcot-Marie-tooth disease, rare ataxia
2020 - 2022 Dr. Carolina Barnett-Tapia University Health Network, ON Patient preferences in treatments for myasthenia gravis: a DCE experiment MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Myasthenia Gravis
2020 - 2022 Dr. David Granville University of British Columbia, BC Profiling granzymes in inflammatory neuromuscular diseases MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Inflammatory myopathy; (Myositis; Polymositis, dermatomyositis; inclusion-body myositis); Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy; Myasthenia gravis
2020 - 2022 Dr. James Dowling The Hospital for Sick Children, ON CRISPR mediated gene editing: a novel therapeutic strategy for nemaline myopathy MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Congenital Myopathy; Nemaline myopathy
2018 - 2020 Dr. Gerald Pfeffer University of Calgary, AB Interventional Study of Expiratory Muscle Strength Training as a Treatment for Muscle Disease” MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Myopathy (hereditary)
2018 - 2020 Dr. Leanne M. Ward Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, ON Denosumab for the Treatment of Osteoporosis in Boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Pilot Study MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
2018 - 2019 Dr. Ari Breiner Ottawa Hospital, ON A Population-based Cohort Study of Pregnancy Outcomes in Women with Myasthenia Gravis MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Myasthenia Gravis
2018 - 2019 Dr. Cynthia Gagnon École de réadaptation CIUSSS du Saguenay—Lac-St-Jean, QU A better trunk and lower limb control for a better mobility: Assessment of a re-entrainment program in Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay
2018 - 2019 Dr. Cynthia Gagnon École de réadaptation CIUSSS du Saguenay—Lac-St-Jean, QU Quand attendre est synonyme de meilleurs services : Création d'une salle d'attente interactive pour informer les personnes atteintes de maladies neuromusculaires des enjeux de la recherche MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Neuromuscular Disorders
2018 - 2019 Laura Oldford, Lise Bleau Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation, NB Exploring the impact of simple robotic assistive technology on the quality of life of individuals with neuromuscular disease MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Neuromuscular Disorders
2017 - 2019 Dr. Ellen Roche Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA Development of a Soft Robotic Diaphragmatic Assist Device for Diaphragm Dysfunction in Muscular Dystrophy MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Neuromuscular Disorders
2017 - 2018 Dr. Reshma Amin The Hospital for Sick Children, ON The Diagnostic Accuracy and Reliability of Transcutaneous Carbon Dioxide Monitoring at Home for Nocturnal Hypoventilation Screening in Children with Neuromuscular Disease MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Neuromuscular Disorders
2017 - 2018 Dr. Cynthia Gagnon École de réadaptation CIUSSS du Saguenay—Lac-St-Jean, ON Development of a Questionnaire to Assess the Severity of Dysphagia in Neuromuscular Disorders: a pilot study MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Myotonic Dystrophy, Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay
2017 - 2018 Dr. Unni Narayanan The Hospital for Sick Children, ON Validation of the Muscular Dystrophy Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities (MDCHILD) Questionnaire in children with other chronic neuromuscular conditions MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Pediatric Neuromuscular Disorders
2017 - 2018 Dr. Danielle Peers University of Alberta, AB Moving to Breathe, Breathing to Move: An interdisciplinary study on the benefits of choral and dance exercise for people with neuromuscular conditions MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Neuromuscular Disorders
2017 - 2018 Dr. Jodi Warman Chardon The Ottawa Hospital, ON Diagnostic Utility of Muscle MR Imaging in Genetic Myopathies MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Myopathy (hereditary)
2015 - 2016 Dr. Christine Vande Velde University of Montréal Cell biological mechanisms of TDP-43 in ALS MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
2012 - 2017 Dr. Sanjay Kalra University of Alberta Magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers in ALS MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
2012 - 2017 Dr. Bernard Jasmin University of Ottawa Post-transcriptional Regulation of Utrophin in Skeletal Muscle: Implications for New Therapeutic Strategies for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
2012 - 2017 Dr. Marc Grynpas Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto Growth arrest and osteoporosis in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients treated with glucocorticoids MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
2012 - 2017 Dr. Stephano Stifani McGill University Regulation of motor neuron identity and circuit development MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Motor Neuron Disorders
2012 - 2017 Dr. Stephano Stifani McGill University Regeneration of motor neurons controlling movement and respiration from embryonic stem cells MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Motor Neuron Disorders; Spinal Muscular Atrophy; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
2012 - 2017 Dr. Michael A Rudnicki Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, ON Genetic Regulation of Myogenesis MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
2012 - 2016 Dr. Panayiotis Vacratsis University of Windsor Molecular mechanisms regulating the myotubularin-related 2 lipid phosphatases mutated in the neuromuscular disorder Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Charcot-MarieTooth disease
2012 - 2015 Dr. Anthony Gramolini University of Toronto, ON Molecular basis of ryanodine receptor regulation and function in skeletal and cardiac muscle MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Congenital myopathy; RYR related disorders (central core disease, centronuclear myopathy, multiminicore disease, congenital fiber-type disproportion)
2012 - 2015 Dr.  Jérôme Frenette Université Laval, QU Rank/Rankl/OPG: a new pathway that regulates skeletal muscle disuse, aging and disease MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Neuromuscular Disorders
2012 - 2015 Dr. Neil Cashman University of British Columbia Misfolding of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase by pathological FUS and TDP43: relevance to ALS MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
2012 - 2015 Drs. Robin Michel & Bernard Jasmin Concordia University /Université Concordia, QU Identifying novel roles of calcineurin signaling in the control of multiple complementary pathways affecting the dystrophic phenotype Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
2012 - 2015 Dr. Jacques Tremblay Université Laval Correction of the dystrophin gene with Zinc Finger Proteins and TAL effector nuclease MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
2012 - 2015 Dr. Jacques Tremblay Université Laval Inhibition of myostatin receptor expression to improve MPC transplantation MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
2012 - 2014 Dr. Jack Puymirat/ Dr. Matthew Wood Université Laval/ University of Oxford Evaluation of peptide antisense oligonucleotides as gene therapy for myotonic dystrophy MDC; The Rachel Fund, The French Muscular Dystrophy Association Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy
2011 - 2016 Dr. Michael A Rudnicki Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, ON Satellite Stem Cells from Skeletal Muscle for the Treatment of Neuromuscular Disease Muscular Dystrophy Canada Grant Muscular Dystrophy
2011 - 2016 Dr. Hiroshi Tsuda Montreal Neurological Institute Studies on the Molecular Pathogenesis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Muscular Dystrophy Canada Grant Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
2011 - 2016 Dr. Basil Petrof (The Research Institute of McGill University Health Center) Strategies for Therapy of Respiratory Muscle Failure in Muscular Dystrophy Muscular Dystrophy Canada Grant Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
2011 - 2016 Dr. Jean-Marc E Renaud University of Ottawa/Université d'Ottawa, ON Development of Better and More Effective Treatment for Patients Suffering from Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HyperKPP) (2011-2016) Hyper-kalemic Periodic Paralysis
2011 - 2014 Dr. Alexander E Mackenzie Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, ON Preclinical assessment of clinic ready agents for the treatment of muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy Muscular Dystrophy Canada Grant Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal Muscular Atrophy
2011 - 2014 Dr. Douglas Ashley Monks University of Toronto, ON Mouse models of Kennedy Disease/Spinobulbar Muscular Atrophy CIHR Partnership: Operating Grant - Priority Announcement: Neuromuscular Research Spinobulbar Muscular Atrophy (Kennedy Disease)
2011 - 2014 Dr. Thomas Hawke McMaster University, ON Role of Xin, an actin-binding protein, in satellite cells and muscular dystrophies MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Muscular Dystrophy
2011 - 2014 Dr. Jasna Kriz Université Laval Glia-Neuron Crosstalk in Early Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Pathogenesis MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
2011 - 2014 Dr. Janice Robertson University of Toronto, ON The TAR-DNA-binding protein-43 and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
2010 - 2015 Dr. Serge Rivest Université Laval Therapeutic properties of the innate immune response by microglia Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
2010 - 2015 Dr. Josephine Nalbantoglu McGill University, QU Artificial zinc finger transcription factors targeting the utrophin promoter as a potential therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
2010 - 2015 Dr. Jeffrey Dilworth Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, ON Differential role of myogenic regulatory factors in establishing muscle-specific gene expression Muscular Dystrophy
2010 - 2015 Dr. François Bachand Université de Sherbrooke, QU Characterization of a novel function for PABPN1:the product ofthe oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy disease gene Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy
2010 - 2013 Dr. Jean-Pierre Julien Université Laval, QU Pathogenic mechanisms associated with neurofilament disorganization MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
2010 - 2013 Dr. Kelvin E Jones University of Alberta, AB Promoting protection of functionally intact motor units in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
2010 - 2013 Dr. Victor Rafuse Dalhousie University, NS Developing specific motoneuron subtypes from embryonic stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells, to treat neuromuscular disorders and paralysis due to injury. MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership
2009 - 2014 Dr. Guy A Rouleau Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), QU Mutation of KCC3: Understanding a sensory motor neuropathy MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
2009-2014 Dr. Charles Krieger Simon Fraser University, BC Bone Marrow-Derived Cells as Gene Delivery Vehicles in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
2009 - 2014 Dr.  Janice Robertson University of Toronto, ON Peripherin Abnormalities in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis CIHR Partnership: Operating Grant - Priority Announcement: Neuromuscular Research Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
2009 - 2014 Dr. Blair R Leavitt Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, BC Determination of muscle properties that alter ALS onset and disease progression using the G93A mouse model of ALS MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
2009 - 2012 Dr. Christopher Pearson Hospital for Sick Children, ON Genetic modifiers of CTG trinucleotide repeat instability and myotonic dystrophy pathogenesis MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy
2009 - 2012 Dr. Basil Petrof (The Research Institute of McGill University Health Center) Mitochondrial function as a therapeutic target in muscular dystrophy MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
2008 - 2013 Dr. Guy A Rouleau Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), QU Cellular and biochemical impact of TDP-43 mutants in ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
2018 Dr. Anthony Gramolini University of Toronto, ON Non-viral, immune-modulatory nanoparticles for delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 as a treatment intervention for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Jesse Journey Partnership Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
2018 Dr. Michael A. Rudnicki Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, ON Exosomal Delivery of Wnt7a for treating Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Jesse Journey Partnership Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
2017 Dowling, James The Hospital for Sick Children, ON Novel therapies for neuromuscular diseases with altered phosphoinositide metabolism Team Grant: Transnational Research Projects on Rare Diseases Congenital Myopathies
2016 Dr. Amy McPherson Bloorview Research Institute, ON Promoting healthy weights to support respiratory function in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
2016 Dr. Louise Rose Sunnybrook Research Institute, ON Development & Pilot Evaluation of an Online Peer Support Program for Family Caregivers of Ventilator-Assisted Individuals with Neuromuscular Disease Living in the Community MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Neuromuscular Disorders
2016 Dr. Sherri Katz Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, ON Understanding the Acceptability of Lung Volume Recruitment Among Boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Mixed- Methods Sub-study of the STEADFAST Trial MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
2015 Dr. Hans Katzberg University Health Network/University of Toronto, ON Clinical Determinants of Nocturnal Hypoventilation in Patients with Adult and Pediatric Myasthenis Gravis MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Myasthenis Gravis
2015 Dr. Marta Kaminska McGill University, QU Validation of home portable monitoring for diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing in adolescents and adults with neuromuscular disorders MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Neuromuscular Disorders
2015 Dr. Louise Rose Sunnybrook Research Institute, ON Translating Recommendations for Airway Clearance from the Canadian Thoracic Society Home Mechanical Ventilation MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Neuromuscular Disorders
2015 Dr. Reshma Amin The Hospital for Sick Children, ON Assessing Air Travel Safety in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Standard versus Prolonged High Altitude Simulation Tests MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
2015 Dr. Bernard Brais Montreal Neurological Institute, QU PREPARE: Preparing for therapies in autosomal recessive ataxias Team Grant: Transnational Research Projects on Rare Diseases Autosomal recessive ataxias
2014 Dr. Lawrence Korngut National Canadian Neuromusclar Network CIHR Partnership: Network catalyst grant Neuromuscular Disorders
2014 Dr. Craig Campbell London Health Sciences Centre, ON Understanding Decision Needs for Respiratory interventions in Pediatric Neuromuscular Disorders: Laying the Foundation for Developing a Shared Decision Environment for Respiratory Care Decisions MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Pediatric Neuromuscular Disorders
2014 Dr. Judy King Ottawa Hospital, ON A respiratory-focused e-learning resource for people living with neuromuscular disease and their families MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Neuromuscular Disorders
2014 Dr. Louise Rose Sunnybrook Research Institute, ON Health Service Utilization for Assessment, Monitoring and Management of Respiratory Complications for Individuals with Neuromuscular Disease MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Neuromuscular Disorders
2014 Dr. Michael Seear University of British Columbia, BC Comparison of three methods for improving expiratory cough flow and lung volume in children with neuromuscular disease MDC Annual Research Grant Competition Pediatric Neuromuscular Disorders
2013 Dr. F J Dilworth Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, ON An international effort to understand FSHD muscular dystrophy epigenetics CIHR & European Rare Network Partnership: Operating Grant - E-Rare-2 Joint Transnational Call on Rare Diseases Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
2013 Dr. Michael A Rudnicki Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, ON Stimulating Intrinsic Repair for DMD (SIRD) CIHR & European Rare Network Partnership: Operating Grant - E-Rare-2 Joint Transnational Call on Rare Diseases Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
2011 Dr. Toshifumi Yokota University of Alberta The Friends of Garrett Cumming Research Chair, Muscular Dystrophy Canada MDC, University of Alberta, Government of Alberta's Access to the Future Fund Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
2011 Dr. Robin N Michel Concordia University /Université Concordia, QU Role of calcineurin and its signaling modulators in the dystrophic phenotype MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership
2010 Dr. Elizabeth Meiering University of Waterloo, ON Folding and aggregation of ALS-associated mutant superoxide dismutases Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
2010 Drs. Jean Mathieu, Cynthia Gagnon Hôpital de Jonquière, QU Motor, multisystemic and social participation assessment in myotonic dystrophy type 1: a 9-year longitudinal study. MDC, CIHR & ALS Canada Neuromuscular Research Partnership Myotonic Dystrophy
2008 Dr. Jane Andrea E Batt University of Toronto, ON Nedd4 Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Atrophy and Regeneration Operating Grant - Priority Announcement: Neuromuscular Research
2008 Dr. Bernard Brais Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), QU Developing molecular, cellular and mice models for Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) CIHR Operating Grant - Priority Announcement: Neuromuscular Research Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay
2008 Dr. Jean-Marc E Renaud University of Ottawa/Université d'Ottawa, ON Mutation of the mouse nav1.4 muscle sodium channel: understanding hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (hyperkpp) Operating Grant - Priority Announcement: Neuromuscular Research