March 8, 2024
Dr. David Wright, along with co-applicant Dr. Margaret Hahn of the University of Toronto, secures a significant Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) grant for their project, “Targeting the Exercise-Inducible Signalling Factor FGF21 as a Novel Approach to Mitigate the Side Effects of Antipsychotics,” which addresses a critical need in mental health treatment.
Dr. Wright’s research focuses on lifestyle interventions, such as exercise and ketogenic diets, as a means to unlock molecular tools that could serve as targets for therapeutic interventions aimed at mitigating the adverse metabolic effects induced by antipsychotic medications in individuals with schizophrenia. Over the next five years, his project will conduct a series of experiments to uncover the underlying mechanisms behind the positive impacts of these interventions, with an aim to improve patient health outcomes.
The CIHR Project Grant Program aims to foster health-related knowledge and outcomes advancements by supporting research projects across various stages and disciplines. It champions innovative approaches and encourages the translation of discoveries into practical applications, including potential commercialization. The Program values specialized research areas, including projects focusing on global health and fostering culturally sensitive research with Indigenous peoples.
