THIRD ROUND OF ANNUAL GRANTS OF THE CANADIAN FOUNDATION ON FETAL ALCOHOL
RESEARCH AWARDED

FIRST FINDINGS OF GRANT RECIPIENTS PRESENTED

VANCOUVER, Sept. 14 /CNW/ - The Canadian Foundation on Fetal Alcohol Research (CFFAR) is very proud of the studies conducted by its first grant recipients. The results of these three studies were presented today during the 11^th Annual Fetal Alcohol Canadian Expertise (FACE) Research Roundtable on the occasion of International FASD Day.

The researchers who presented their findings focused on three specific areas:

• Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Stress
• Mapping Memory Function in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
• The Association between Fatty Acid Esters in Meconium and the Diagnosis of FAEE in an At-Risk Canadian Population

During the FACE Conference, Dr. Louise Nadeau, Chair of the CFFAR also announced the third round of grants awarded by the organization for research, prevention and treatment of FASD.

The third annual round of research grants were selected after a peer-review of applications.  The 2010 grant recipients are:

• Catherine Rankin, University of British Columbia, for her project titled "Gene expression profile analysis of variable phenotypes after embryonic exposure to alcohol"
• Sara Stevens, Kelly Nash and Joanne Rovet, University of Toronto, for their study "Social profile of FASD"
• Myla Moretti, University of Toronto, for her study "Fetal effects of low alcohol consumption - a systematic review and meta analysis"

Created in September 2007 through a 5-year $1 Million commitment by the Brewers Association of Canada (BAC), the CFFAR is an independent, non-profit foundation created to promote interest and fund research related to the short and long-term bio-medical, psychological and social effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and the prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

"We are very proud of the work conducted by the researchers. Their findings will contribute to understanding prevention and treatment of FASD. The researchers' work is key to further advance knowledge of the bio-medical, psychological and social aspects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. I also look forward to the new projects announced today, as CFFAR is very proud to encourage these young investigators in their important research." Said Dr. Nadeau.

Ian Faris, President and CEO of the Brewers Association of Canada added: "We are quite proud of our industry's commitment, and want to wholeheartedly congratulate this year's recipients. They will follow in the steps of the researchers who presented their results today. The conclusions presented by these dedicated researchers will help improve the lives of individuals living with FASD and their families."

For further information:

Andre Fortin at 613-232-9092 or visit the CFFAR website www.fasdfoundation.ca