June edition, 2009

In this issue:

• Fathers can play a big role in helping moms with postpartum depression
• Could flax replace fish oil in fight against stroke and heart disease?
• Groundbreaking Canadian study aims to unravel the mysteries of aging     

June 21: Father's Day
Fathers can play big role in helping moms with postpartum depression
Current CIHR-funded research: Some 50% of women with postpartum depression (PPD) decline offers of support services. Fathers are a natural source of support for these women, but many men have a limited understanding of the illness, and many show symptoms of depression as well, as a result of their partner's PPD. Dr. Nicole Letourneau of University of New Brunswick's Faculty of Nursing is leading a study which includes developing and testing a support program for partners of women with PPD. "The men we've interviewed already were very clear that they were very involved with partnering, but felt left out of the partnership when it came to PPD. They really wanted to fix it, but had little clarity about what role they should play or how to discuss PPD with their partner," says Dr. Letourneau.
Did you know? Postpartum mood disorders are the most common health problem experienced by women after childbirth. Postpartum mood disorders affect about 15% of mothers.

June is Stroke Awareness Month
Could flax replace fish oil in fight against stroke and heart disease?
Current CIHR-funded research: Most of us do not eat enough fish, or take the fish oil supplements needed to reduce the risk of heart disease. But there is another alternative. Dr. Grant Pierce at the University of Manitoba is leading the first study of its kind to find out whether flaxseed - already a healthy component of a diet - is effective in preventing cardiovascular disease. Some 250 people are participating in the study, which will examine whether the omega-3s, antioxidants and fibre found in flaxseed can help fight heart disease. If flaxseed is eventually shown to be beneficial to our heart, it could be a big boost for Canadian farmers, who currently produce 40% of the world's flax.

What research should you believe?
Acupuncture stops headaches, but 'faked' treatments work almost as well
Two separate reviews (#1 and #2) of published research by the Cochrane Collaboration show that acupuncture is an effective treatment for prevention of headaches and migraines. But the results also suggest that faked procedures, in which needles are incorrectly inserted, can be just as effective. "Much of the clinical benefit of acupuncture might be due to non-specific needling effects and powerful placebo effects, meaning selection of specific needle points may be less important than many practitioners have traditionally argued," says lead researcher of both studies, Klaus Linde at the Technical University of Munich, Germany. Cochrane reviews are now available free to the public, as are podcasts of several reviews. CIHR is a partner in the Canadian Cochrane Network and Centre.

June is Seniors Month
Final days for seniors can be better if nursing homes adopt proven research
Current CIHR-funded research: Nursing homes could greatly improve the quality of life of seniors in their final days by putting into practice what is already known through research. Dr. Carole Estabrooks in the University of Alberta's Faculty of Nursing says there are no obvious methods to help put these new findings into practice at nursing homes - something she is trying to address in a major CIHR-funded study that is being carried out in urban and rural nursing homes in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. "The answers are out there. By putting them into practice we can reduce the risk of falls, minimize behavioural problems, better manage pain and improve seniors' overall quality of life," she says.

May 31 to June 6: Canadian Environment Week
June 5: World Environment Day
Nasty nanoparticles in air pollution provide clue for better drug delivery
The association between nanoparticles in air pollution and health problems and even death among Canadians and people elsewhere is now well established. But Dr. Matthias Amrein at the University of Calgary is demonstrating that such nanoparticles - which can penetrate deep into lung tissue and enter the blood stream - can also be used for good. The University of Calgary researcher is using an atomic force microscope to study how different nanoparticles make contact with a lung's wall and interact with the cells. "By identifying potentially harmful air pollutants, we can then develop health and safety standards to reduce their risk," explains Dr. Amrein. "We can also learn to develop nanoparticle-based aerosols that deliver drugs against diseases of the lung more effectively to the place where they are needed."

Groundbreaking Canadian study aims to unravel the mysteries of aging
Current CIHR-funded research: It's one of the most comprehensive studies of its kind ever undertaken, and it could unlock some of the greatest mysteries about how and why we age the way we do. The $30-million federally funded Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) will follow 50,000 Canadians, aged 45-85 years, over the next two decades. In addition to starting at mid-life, the CLSA is the first study of its kind to collect social and economical retirement factors, as well as clinical and biological measures. " Some people age in a healthy fashion despite many physical health challenges, while others who are in good physical health age less optimally. What explains this phenomenon? The study will answer questions that are relevant to decision-makers to improve the health of Canadians," says Dr. Parminder Raina, the study's lead principal investigator and a McMaster University researcher.

No More Cold Sores? Scientists Find Cellular Process That Fights Herpes Virus
Published CIHR-funded research: Scientists have discovered a new way for our immune system to combat the elusive virus responsible for cold sores: Type 1 herpes simplex (HSV-1). As reported in a recent online edition of Nature Immunology, a group of virus hunters from the University of Montreal, in collaboration with colleagues in the U.S., have identified a cellular process that seeks out and fights herpes. The research team now plans to study how activation of the herpes-combating cellular process could be applied to other illnesses. The outcome could hasten the development of therapies to fight other immune-evading bacteria, parasites and viruses. "Our goal is to further study the molecules implicated in this mechanism to eventually develop therapies against diseases such as HIV or even cancer," says the study's lead author Dr. Luc English, a doctoral student under the supervision of Dr. Michel Desjardins.
Did you know? There are two types of herpes viruses: Type 1 herpes simplex causes facial cold sores and Type 2 causes genital herpes.

Upcoming Events
June: Quench your scientific thirst
CIHR is helping to make the latest health and science research accessible to the general public. Café Scientifiques bring together researchers and the general public in informal venues (such as restaurants, pubs or cafés) for an evening of lively and informative discussion about health research evidence. CIHR and some of its institutes have already hosted Cafés dealing with health subjects such as: obesity; healthy aging; mental health in the workplace; the pros and cons of personalized medicine; and the hazards of urban living. CIHR is currently holding a series of Cafés exploring the different health aspects of mental illness. Upcoming events include:

In Praise of Older Mothers?
June 9, 2009 at the Café au temps perdu, 867 Avenue Myrand
Quebec City, Quebec

I'm Not Getting Older, I'm Getting Smarter!
Aging, the Mind and Mental Health
June 12, 2009 at Prospect Room 2, Exhibition Park
Halifax, Nova Scotia

For more information, please visit the CIHR Café Scientifique website.

June 7-10, 2009: Canadian Public Health Association Annual Conference
This year's theme is Public Health in Canada: Strengthening Connections. The CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health is one of the collaborators.
Winnipeg, MB

For more information on any of the above story leads, please contact:
David Coulombe
Media Relations
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Phone: 613-941-4563
Cell: 613-808-7526
mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca