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ALS research overview

There’s never been a more exciting time in ALS research. With better understanding of the disease comes the knowledge needed to identify targets for treatment, and to improve people’s day-to-day lives with the disease.

Research is a source of tremendous hope for the ALS community.

And there’s reason to be hopeful: ALS research is seeing unprecedented progress. More advances have been made in the last 10 years than in the previous 100. Researchers are optimistic that these discoveries will one day lead to successful treatments for ALS.

Our donors help to advance ALS research in numerous ways: by ensuring there is dedicated funding available for ALS research here in Quebec and across Canada, and by fostering strong connections among the ALS research community that calls Quebec home.

There is incredible ALS research talent in our province, both in the laboratory and in the clinic.  

And this leadership has benefits for people living with ALS: for example, by attracting clinical trials that give eligible patients the ability to be part of testing potential new treatments.

The ALS research community in Quebec is among the best in the country. This active and passionate group of professionals inspires us with their dedication to better understanding and treating ALS. As we continue to build the ALS Quebec Research Fund governed and guided by an esteemed committee to channel donor dollars into the Quebec research community, we continue to contribute to the national ALS research program administered by the ALS Society of Canada to fund the most promising research nationwide. The fund will also support the next generation of ALS researchers through bursaries and travel grants with the goal to maintain and nurture research talent in Quebec and Canada.

Members of Our Scientific Committee:

  • Dr. Richard Robitaille (Chair), Full Professor, Université de Montréal and member of ALS Quebec’s Board of Directors
  • Dr. François Gros-Louis, Full Professor, Université Laval
  • Dr. Geneviève Matte, Neurologist, CHUM
  • Dr. Chantelle Sephton, Associate Professor, Université Laval
  • André Besner, Vice President, Quality and Continuous Improvement, Trans Canada Forest Products and ALS Quebec Board member
  • Dr. Jean-Pierre Canuel, ALS Quebec Board member, Diagnosed with ALS in 2014

We have:

  • Contributed annually to the ALS Society of Canada’s national research program, which invests in peer-reviewed research grants to unlock answers to the mysteries about the causes and progression of ALS and to support the development of promising therapies.
  • Hosted regular webinars that bring Quebec’s ALS research community together to connect professionally, update one another about their work and exchange ideas about the latest developments in ALS research.
  • Partnered with individuals and foundations to support their passion for ALS research and the promise it represents.
I believe with all my heart that ALS research is the single most important avenue for hope. Research has the power to help us better understand the causes, how to prevent ALS, and which treatments will be most effective for slowing the symptoms, prolonging life, and even curing the disease.
Dr. Jean-Pierre Canuel,
living with ALS since 2014
The day I visited Dr. Robitaille’s research lab with my wife, my son and daughter, and their partners, we didn’t know quite what to expect. The young doctoral and post-doctoral students each gave a detailed presentation, demonstrated their individual work under the microscope, and answered our questions with great care. I think what stood out most for me was their passion for the research. That really stayed with me. We could see these young researchers were pushing the limits to find solutions despite operating with very limited funds. I know we are in good hands! The challenge now is to secure more funding so we can really move the dial on ALS with new treatments and therapies.
Claude Lapierre,
living with ALS since 2016
We are increasing our understanding about ALS and improving scientific models and clinical trials at an unprecedented pace. I say to my students, ‘Think about who we’re doing this for. We must keep up the fight no matter what.
Dr. Richard Robitaille
Full Professor, Université de Montréal and member of ALS Quebec’s Board of Directors