Events

Title: The Brain Resilience Study: A dataset of the biological and sociocultural factors affecting brain health in older adults

Speaker: Brianne Kent, PhD; Associate Director, INN, Canada Research Chair (II), Translational Neuroscience and Dementia, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, SFU

Abstract: Dementia arises from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. However, previous large-scale studies have largely focused on biomarkers and genetics, with limited attention to the social and structural determinants of health that shape diverse aging trajectories. In 2024, we launched the Brain Resilience Study (BRS) to addresses this gap by integrating multimodal biological and cognitive measures with rich demographic, psychosocial, and lifestyle data to create an open resource for studying resilience to dementia. We are recruiting adults aged 50 years and older from the British Columbia Generations Project, a population-based cohort with extensive pre-existing sociodemographic, lifestyle, occupational, and residential data that has been collected since 2009. In 950 participants, we are collecting additional information about dementia risk factors, as well as cognitive testing, sleep assessments, portable EEG, and genetic sequencing. Sub-studies have also collected high-resolution neuroimaging (MRI, MEG) and circadian rhythm biomarkers. BRS data will be openly shared as a Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS) standardized dataset. By capturing variables often overlooked in dementia research, the BRS provides an unprecedented opportunity to study brain health in diverse aging populations. This resource will lay the foundation for longitudinal follow-up and future computational modeling, supporting the development of early, personalized, and equitable interventions to promote brain resilience across the lifespan.

Date/Time: Thursday Oct 1st @ 2:30pm PDT

In-person Location: Big Data Hub Presentation Studio (ASB 10900)

Online: https://sfu.zoom.us/j/89489850052?pwd=zQMjTS2hKZm5wlWapVelXVz7zkLkN7.1

Title: Modeling Abnormal Brain Development in Tuberous Sclerosis Using Bioprinting-initiated Human Cerebral Organoid System

Speaker: Ethan Katz, Department of Biological Sciences, SFU

Abstract: Tuberous Sclerosis (TS) is a devastating disease marked by the growth of malformed tissue and low-grade tumors throughout the body. The early and severe impacts on the brain highlight TS as a profound neurodevelopmental cortical malformation syndrome. TS is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes, whose protein products inhibit the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway. mTORC1 is a crucial master regulator of protein production and cell metabolism that operates as fine-tuned machinery in the cell—machinery that, in the case of TS, has its brakes cut. This leads to the TS brain growing rampant with aberrant cell types and structural malformations, but we don’t have a firm grasp of where and when these changes begin. These are questions whose answers lie hidden in the earliest neural cell fate and migration decisions. To adequately explore this, we need a model that allows us to examine cellular development within the context of spatial orientations that mimic the structure of the developing human brain. Our job therefore becomes building the brain on the bench.

We have established a new way to produce brain organoids–mini reconstructions of portions of the developing brain–that includes the contextual elements of cellular spatial patterning. Starting from human pluripotent stem cells, our method produces cerebral organoids with structural reproducibility and fidelity to the human brain that has not before been possible, by initiating them as engineered single-lumen neural tube tissues. This controlled starting point leads to the subsequent production of structural patterns that are seen in the human brain, but that are commonly missing in conventional organoid models. Using this model, we are now assessing how TSC2 mutations disrupt the spatial patterning of the brain starting from its earliest stages. Immunofluorescence analysis reveals the onset of known disease-specific phenotypes including early neural stem cell differentiation and gliogenesis, production of an aberrant “giant cell” population, and the initiation and expansion of low-grade tumor-like lesions. Further characterizations in differential gene expression, functional neuronal activity, and metabolic regulation are underway through single cell RNA sequencing, automated patch clamp and metabolic flux assays as we work to expand what this model can tell us about the underlying cell biology of TS. This model holds the potential to not only expand our understanding of TS pathogenesis but also be used in high throughput screening of functional drug interventions. Additionally, the application of this technology lies in the genetics of the starting stem cells which is what allows us to assess unique patient-specific mutations. Due to this flexibility, not only will this method be an incredible advance for the TS field, but it can deepen our understanding of early pathogenic cellular and structural aberrations across a broad range of neurodevelopmental conditions.

Date/Time: Wednesday Oct 7th @ 10am PDT

In-Person Location: INN-AQ Conference Room (AQ 3128)

Online: https://sfu.zoom.us/j/85141534923?pwd=XbqawbHw1iByepR6VevuQYaBrQp8Ja.1

Join us for an afternoon to meet fellow neuroscience trainees, learn more about the INN, and connect with the community. Grab some snacks, chat with other trainees, and Get INNvolved!

Date/Time: Thursday October 8, 3-5pm

Location: INN SCK Space (K9601)

All neuroscience undergrads, grad students and postdocs are welcome! Snacks provided. Optional dinner at Biercraft after the event (at your own cost).

RSVP to INN Social Social Coordinator Reta Younan (reta_younan@sfu.ca).