A LOOK AT OUR
For brains at their best. 2015 - $1.3 Million
GRAHAM: Hey CP, happy 5th birthday for Branch Out! CRYSTAL: Yay! Can you believe it’s been 5 years already? GRAHAM: Actually yes, haha. It’s been a lot of work! CRYSTAL: No kidding! But think back when this was just an idea over a beer. Who would have thought we would raise over a million dollars! GRAHAM: And established a new emerging field of research! CRYSTAL: Let’s celebrate! GRAHAM: Done and make sure we recognize and thank all those who helped us get here. 2014 - $734.5 K The Branch Out Foundation started with an idea between friends and has since grown to 2013 - $482.5 K be a game changer for brain health research. This impact report is our “Show and Tell” 2012 - $187 K of our fifth and biggest year yet. Enjoy! 2011 - $46 K The great thing, then, in all education, is to make our nervous “system our ally instead of our enemy. -William James” NeuroCAM Haley Vecchiarelli A NEW EMERGING FIELD OF RESEARCH. There has been a growing interest in alternative approaches for treating neurological conditions. NeuroCAM (neuroscience + complementary & alternative modalities) has often been dismissed as a treatment option due to an absence of credible scientific research investigating the efficacy of “CAM”, Our Very First not because it has been proven ineffective. Branch Out Neurological Foundation seeks to fill this gap in the scientific literature by funding innovative and high-quality research that explores the PhD Student! following types of research and modalities.
Supporting neuroCAM research conducted at the highest scientific standards will generate reliable data for physicians and patients, allowing for informed decisions about all potential treatment options.
Types of Research We Support
Basic Explores a phenomenon and makes discoveries. Basic science is essential as it forms the foundation upon which translational research and clinical trials are built on.
Translational Takes what has been executed in the lab and makes it useful for people in University of Calgary everyday life. Within clinical contexts, translational research explores why and Supervisor: Dr. Mathew Hill how interventions work.
Clinical Trials Formal tests to determine the efficacy of an intervention, usually involving collaboration between a research team and practicing clinicians. Exploring the link between emotional behaviors, inflammation NeuroCAM Modalities and endocanabinoid signaling in a mouse model. Branch Out’s first PhD student, Haley Vecchiarelli, has already presented in Rio and across Canada.
Neutraceutical Her application stood out to our scientific review panel and her achievements continue to impress Investigates the effects of nutrition and naturally occurring substances on the anyone who gets to hear her present. Her project seeks to explore endocanabinoid signalling as a nervous system. mediator of stress behaviours and inflammation and evaluate the possibilityof using cananinoids (both endogenous and exogenous) to treat the dysfunctions of these processes in a mouse model Mind and Body of colitis. Explores the relationship between psychology (mental functions and behaviour) and physiology (the functions and activities of living things). Testimonial: Coming soon.
Personalized Medicine Explores why and how treatment effectiveness (either traditional or neuroCAM) varies between individuals. 2015 MASTERS GRANT RECIPIENTS 2015 UNDERGRAD GRANT RECIPIENTS Kaeli Knudsen University of Saskatchewan Erik Fraunberger Supervisor: Dr. Carvahlo University of Calgary Supervisor: Dr. Michael Esser
Exploring Epigenetic Changes in Worm Model of Addiction By better understanding the gene and environment interactions, scientists might be able to better understand mind and body modalities and improve them. The Effect of Black Tea Extracts in Traumatic Brain Injury
Evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of a green tea metabolite in blocking some of the harmful effects “I cannot thank Branch Out enough for what they have allowed me to accomplish and for how this will of secondary brain injury in a rat model of mild traumatic brain injury. affect my future experiences with research.” - Kaeli
“Working with the supportive Branch Out Funding has been an incredibly rewarding experience!“ - Erik Wesley Vuong University of Alberta Supervisor: Dr. Dickson Runze Yang University of Saskatchewan Supervisor: Dr. Jeff Dunn Exploring the Cognitive and Electrophysiological Effects of Oxygen in Humans The implications of this project apply to both clinical use of oxygen in surgical settings as well as using oxygen as its own neuroCAM therapy. Effect of Vitamins on Brain Tumor Growth and the Use of MRI to Track this Change A certain vitamin is thought to have inflammatory effects on the brain, which might be beneficial to the “The Branch Out Neurological Foundation definitely has a ton of action potential!” -Wesley outcome of some brain cancers. This study seeks to compare the vitamin with the current standard of care drug in its ability to restrict tumor growth. This project also intends to develop a novel MRI neuroimaging Lauren Warrington method using ferumoxytol to detect changes induced by the vitamin. This new brain scan, in addition to University of Saskatchewan the potential demonstration of the vitamin as a neuro-cancer treatment are two deliverables that can be Supervisor: Dr. Nazarali implemented in clinical care.
“I’m very fortunate to be funded by such an amazing organization.” - Runze The Protective and Restorative Effects of Fatty Acids on Demyelination in MS This project will better our understanding on the role of fatty acids in demyelination in MS, including their preventative and therapeutic potential.
Jenna Dobry University of Calgary Supervisor: Dr. Rho
Effect of Keytones in mouse model of Autism As autism is robustly resistant to treatment, this could be a major advance in treatment of the disorder. MORE UNDERGRAD GRANT RECIPIENTS Frank P. MacMaster, PhD Assistant Professor, Departments of Psychiatry, Paediatrics; Jillian Caton Cuthbertson & Fischer Chair in Paediatric Mental Health University of Saskatchewan Supervisor: Dr. Oates “ The Branch Out Neurological Foundation studentships have been invaluable. Your support has allowed my lab to recruit top students like Keon Ma and Yamile Jasaui. By allowing top ups, getting a Branch Out Neurological Foundation studentship has become quite prestigious and has helped Pre-natal Infection as a Factor of Psychological Disturbance in Mice attract the best and the brightest. Helping create the next generation of The results of this study could illuminate possible preventative and intervention strategies to minimize neuroscientists is critical – especially ones willing to move past what hasn’t the effects of prenatal infection on neural development. worked and embrace new ideas. Their effort in the lab has been vital in moving this work forward. Indeed, the support from Branch Out Neurological Keon Ma Foundation helped us position ourselves for the large scale trial now starting.” University of Calgary Supervisor: Dr. MacMaster “ NeuroCAM RESEARCH FUNDED Effect of rTMS Tourrette’s Syndrome We branched out to Saskatchewan! This project will help our understanding on the effectiveness of transcranial magnetic stimulation in Four undergrad students werefunded from the UofS in 2015. treating Tourette’s while exploring the reason for this effectiveness to the actions of the brain chemical GABA. PHD GRANT “It’s clear that Branch Out is more than just a funding agency - it’s a community of scientists, donors and ” supporters that are all passionate about neuroCAM research. And it is this sense of community that really MASTER’S GRANT sets Branch Out apart.” -Keon
Isabel Hedayat UNDERGRAD GRANT University of Saskatchewan Supervisor: Dr. Nazarali
Use of Haptic Anchors to Improve Balance and Mobility in Aging Populations Study results can help guide future research in how the tools used affect walking stability in populations with walking or balance impairments, such as those with Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, incomplete spinal cord injuries, or even older adults.
Brandon Hauer University of Alberta Supervisor: Dr. Dickson
Connecting Hippocampal Activity to Memory Processing This research will not only translate into a better understanding of transcranial stimulation, but illuminate how the brain consolidates memories under normal conditions, which go awry in disorders such as Alzheimer’s and depression. INAUGURAL SNOWSHOE TOUR 2015 BRANCH OUT BIKE TOUR 120 participants 375 riders (sold out in 10 days!) $42,000 raised! $275,000 raised! Get your snowshoe on for the neuron! Biking for brains at their best!
AWARDS SPONSORS AWARDS SPONSORS Top Fundraisers: John Reid ($1450) Campers Village Natural Way Chiropractic Top Fundraiser: Carli Tyson ($10,241) Aux Sable Nature Trust Cochrane Echo Centre Neal’s Yard Bow Cycle Okanagan Springs Top Volunteer: Cale White Cochrane Spray Lakes Neurotrition Top Fundraising Team: Aux Sable ($16,095) Canadian Tire – Panorama Mountain Sawmill Nixon Honey Invermere Resort Abovie and Beyond: Scott Hermanson Community Natural Norquay Tube Park Top Volunteer: Jenna Brown Cannibale Peloton Cycling Foods Paul Brandt Calgary Hitmen Pin to Point Ty McKinney Best Dressed: Coop Peloton Cycling King of the Mountain: Marcus Henry (36:34.43) Chris Ison. Photo Planet Foods
Delta Kananaskis Planet Foods Crossfit Ramsay Rave Coffee Myelin for Gold ($2412) Queen of the Mountain: Shannon Sibold (42:36.84) Top Team: Fallentimber Meadery Productivity Ninja Foundation Specialized (Phil Benson, Stephanie Cormier, Amber Dunleavy, Garmin Cochran-Ant+ Sole Dance Ugly Awkward Stinger Breanne McMurray, Mark Pylypczak) Best Dressed: Barber Shop Quartet Ja-Co Welding Specialized AB Higher Grounds The Met (Ryan Gillen, Dan Reid, Patrick Homer-Dickson, John Reid) Lake Louise Spray Lakes Sawmill Fallentimber Meadery Think Productive Last Best Brewing and Cochrane Garmin / ANT+ TriPow Distillery Sunshine Village Gerry’s Gelati Ultima Moksha Yoga North Waldo’s Imaging Grey Wolf Veresen Mountain Merchant Wi-Com Solutions Latte Art Love Westin - Calgary MSR Lashed Out MEG Energy National - Concorde Lions Club Tazza Group Little Big Shot Celebration Club National on 8th MSalon Ja-Co Welding Natural Way Chiropractic RE7 SUPPORTING EVENTS SOCIAL MEDIA FAVOURITES
STAMPEDE TURBO PARTY, FALLENTIMBER BOCCE TOURNAMENT, MOKSHA YOGA BRANCHY KARMA MONTH, PUMPHOUSE CYCLE CROSS FACEBOOK
A BRANCHY PHILANTHROPY STORY Marcus Henry, the gorilla-suit-wearing, megaphone-wielding, bike hill-sprinting ball of energy was a driving force behind Branch Out’s first Snowshoe Tour. Not only did he chair the event, he volunteered to design our BOSSman and BOBMan logo’s for both the snowshoe tour and the bike tour, AND designed the new Branch Out bike jerseys. Whether it was organizing teams of INSTAGRAM volunteers, donating money, thinking up great concepts (Bacon while snowshoeing? Brilliant.) or putting his unbridled energy to use by staking trails past midnight, Marcus had his hand in everything. 2015 BRANCHY VOLUNTEER CREW
PHOTO/VIDEO/WEB EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS DESIGN DIRECTOR RESEARCH CRYSTAL PHILLIPS COORDINATOR TY MCKINNEY LAURA SAND LAURA DEVIN TEPLESKI DEVIN
SCIENTIFIC REVIEW JOHN REID BIKE TOUR PANEL COMMITTEE MARCUS HENRY MARCUS MARTIN DONISON PAULA BLACKMORE-WHITE PAULA MAJI MOHAJERANI SARAH HEWITT ERIK KUHN CALE WHITE MARKETING TEAM KIERAN COOLEY CLAYTON DICKSON ARYN FLETTE JAMIE IVEY
KENDRA FURBER KATHLEEN SCULLION MONICA ROBICHAUD PHIL BENSON
ANASTASIA GREENBERG MANDY EDIGER PAULA BLACKMORE-WHITE
SEAN MAW CHRISTOPHER KNEE
ANIA KANIA-RICHMOND BIKE TOUR VOLUNTEERS MEGAN GRAY Lindsey Chapman Gareth Williams Bruce Cameron Kyle Wandler Barry Mah Tyler Nogas BOARD Greg Van Tighem Cale White Chris Skleryk Paula Blackmore-White Mandy Ediger Kathy Bouwmeester DAVID FILLO SNOWSHOE TOUR VOLUNTEERS Keri McPhillamey Arno Hoogveld Jenna Brown JAMIE KIRWIN Marcus Henry Kim Hubbard SNOWSHOE TOUR Gail Hermanson Lindsay Bishop Caitlin Latimer Gail Hermanson Alec Janssens COMMITEE Susan Bowmeester Mike Phillips Riley Orman GRAHAM DAW Natalie Siu Kimberly McNulty Michael Bowmeester Shanne Thomson Joan Denenfeld SARAH LANG Julia Morrison Marty Barvir Deb Clark Liz Stengl MARCUS HENRY Scott Hermanson CHRISTINA HADZOGLOU Carmen Hindson Carlos Sandoval Phillip Benson Jamie Ivey Melanie Arseneault Phil Benson Chris Kay GAIL HERMANSON SARAH BUSBY Tory Ansuwan Logan White Tiffany Heinrich LINDSEY SKABAR Susan Bowmeester Stephanie Schlachter Tianna Stevenson Geneva Macgillivray Jenilee LeBlanc Michael Bowmeester Allison Young NATALIE SIU SUSAN BOWMEESTER Devin Tepleski Dave Buechler Erin O’Neil DR. SEAN MAW Lindsay Bishop Samantha Ng Edith Potvin-Rosselet Sarah Knapp Kevin Robichaud CARMEN HINDSON PHIL BENSON Taryn Kovacs Doug Lawrence Adrienne Hern Carolyn Walker Doug Lawrence Graham Daw AJ Macaulay TARYN KOVACS PAULA BLACKMORE-WHITE Corrine Bergen Angela Hunt Anastasia Greenberg Tory Phillips Usama Khan Steve Maess Brent Miller
2016 HERE WE COME! WHO’S IN?
CONTACT INFO Branchoutfoundation.com Twitter and Instagram - @BranchOutNF Crystal Phillips, Executive Director [email protected]