In a breakthrough study, researchers have identified a potential root cause of acute manic symptoms among people with bipolar disorder. Characterized by periods of extreme highs followed by long-lasting depression, bipolar disorder can have harmful effects on patients and their loved ones.
Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) facilitates clinician-scientists in their efforts to make new discoveries to improve the health and well-being of patients across their lifespan. The Investigator Awards provide salary support to leading health research investigators in order to help expand their capacity for innovation-driven research that can lead to new health care knowledge.
The 2023 VCHRI Investigator Awards recipients are:
Endometriosis is a condition that affects approximately 1 million people of reproductive age in Canada, and is present in one in 10 individuals. It occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is present outside of the uterus, and can form lesions, cysts and other growths. These growths can cause significant pain in addition to having other long-term medical complications. Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher Dr.
Often called an invisible disease, endometriosis can have a significant negative impact on a person's physical and mental health. A recent study suggests the condition affects around seven per cent of Canadians of reproductive age who have a uterus, though the actual number may be higher.
Slick or snowy surfaces can be a significant barrier to outdoor recreation for the more than 22 per cent of Canadians over 15 years of age — about 6.2 million individuals — living with one or more disabilities. Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher Dr. Ben Mortenson explains how upgraded infrastructure and better access to specialized equipment could greatly enhance their lives.
Lorna Smith knows that she is one of the lucky ones who experience very little pain directly following breast cancer treatment. Now in her 60s, Smith was diagnosed in early 2022 with the all-too-common disease that affects around 29,000 Canadians.
“I was startled by the diagnosis because I do not have a history of cancer in my family,” recalls Smith. “At the time, I did not feel immense fear, as I believed that the medical system had the tools to deal with it.”
