With advancements in genome-sequencing technologies, between 15 and 50 per cent of children living with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) can now be identified has having an underlying genetic disorder, which can explain their developmental differences.

While individually rare, these conditions are collectively common in children with NDDs. Billions of dollars have been invested in identifying these rare conditions, however there is very little data to guide their day to day care treatment, especially when it comes to mental health and behaviour. 

According to Dr. Danielle Baribeau, this is especially concerning given more than half of children and youth with NDDs are prescribed one or more psychiatric medications in childhood.

The clinician scientist and child psychiatrist intends to change this with the research program she is leading at the Bloorview  Research Institute. And with the recent Academic Scholars Award she received from the University of Toronto’s Department of Psychiatry, she can devote more time and resources to achieve her research career goal: to ensure that genetic diagnoses will inform treatment decisions in psychiatry that are tailored to the unique needs of children and youth with NDDs.

U of T’s psychiatry department grants the merit-based academic scholar awards to support the professional development of early- to mid-career faculty members in their progression towards attaining academic promotion.

This award will enable Dr. Baribeau and her team to continue their work on single subject and ‘small-n’ clinical trails in NDDs, as well as studying rare genetic conditions across Canada using health administrative data linked to genome sequencing data.

“With the increased identification of rare and ultra-rare genetic variants in children with NDDs, we can enable individualized treatment approaches for this patient population,” says Dr. Baribeau. 

In just under two years, the clinician scientist has rapidly established a CIHR funded  research team and a growing collaborator network including experts in genomics, health administrative data, innovative trial designs, novel statistical methods, and family partners. 

“Dr. Baribeau is an emerging leader in research involving the intersection of mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders in Canada,” said Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, vice president of research and director of the BRI who nominated her for the award. “This award recognizes the excitement she brings to the field and will further protect time to grow her research program to optimize tailored mental health solutions for children and youth.”

Congratulations, Dr. Baribeau!