The Firefly Foundation is dedicated to supporting research initiatives in pursuit of a cure for Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Peter St. George Hyslop Director, Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases.
Since our inception we have funded Dr. Peter St. George Hyslop and his team of researchers at the Tanz Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease a total of $400,000. Our support has enabled researchers to launch a complex investigation of the effect of the neurotoxic amyloid beta peptoid on the normal replacement of nerve cells in the hippocampus. The results of this research will inform the development of therapeutic strategies and determine whether they must be developed to protect both existing neurons and new neurons in the cortex.
In 2010, our support enabled Dan Maclean (Doctoral Candidate) to continue his research regarding antibody-mediated PET imaging of amyloid-beta, and Dr. Soshi Kanemoto (Postdoctoral Fellow) to pursue his work on the repair of CNS damaged by neurodegenerative disease.
Firefly also created the Spark Award in 2009. This award is granted to a post-doctoral researcher involved in innovative studies that investigate the behavioural and lifestyle practices that reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and related diseases, or slow their progression.
Our first recipient was Gillian Rowe. Our next Award will be in 2012.
