2011: CANNeCTIN Projects Funded 

RICH LEGACY - Research in International Cardiovascular Health - Lifestyles, Environments and Genetic Attributes in Children and Youth - Zubin Punthakee (McMaster University), Scott Lear (Simon Fraser University)                    

Obesity in Indians is a major health issue both because of the large global population of Indians and their increased risk for obesity-related health consequences like diabetes and heart disease. Rates of childhood obesity and its consequences including hypertension, high blood sugar and abnormal blood lipids are rising with urbanization. Understanding the behavioural, social and environmental determinants of childhood obesity in Indian children living in diverse settings and comparing them to children of European origin is an essential step to improving health in this population whose practices and beliefs may require different solutions than Europeans. This study will evaluate characteristics of individuals, families, schools and communities associated with obesity, blood pressure, glucose and lipids in 7-8 and 14-15 year old Indian children living in 3 different settings: rural India, urban India and urban Canada, as well as Caucasian counterparts in Canada. The pilot study will begin by studying 750 Canadian children in Ontario and British Columbia, and the study will subsequently expand to 5400 children in the two countries. The findings will be used to develop obesity prevention strategies that are in line with the priorities of the communities involved.

The ARVC Registry - Andrew Krahn (University of Western Ontario)

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an inherited condition characterized by life threatening ventricular arrhythmias, presenting with palpitations, cardiac arrest or sudden death. ARVC is diagnosed with a wide range of imaging and electrical tests that are summarized in a score that forms the ARVC Task Force Criteria. Genetic testing has identified 5 different genes that lead to ARVC, which are detected in 50% of patients with ARVC. This allows cascade screening of family members in conjunction with clinical screening. There is variable penetrance and expressivity, and frequent genetic uncertainty regarding the interpretation of variants of unknown significance. The Canadian ARVC registry is a national collaboration of adult and pediatric inherited heart rhythm specialists that will combine enrollment of previously identified ARVC patients (retrospective) with prospective enrollment of newly diagnosed ARVC patients and their families. The focus of the registry will be threefold: 1. Clinical data collection and evaluation of natural history. This will include novel genetic correlates, evaluation of optimal testing modalities, and identification of risk factors for adverse outcomes. 2. Genetic testing and gene discovery. Patient's genetic testing results will be collected, and patients that have negative genetic testing will be approached to participate in gene discovery research conducted in Toronto (Sick Kids), Calgary and Newfoundland. 3. Advanced imaging using cardiac MRI. Investigators from the Canadian Advanced Imaging Network (CAIN) will collaborate to determine the optimal utility of cardiac MRI in detection and classification of ARVC.