The Canadian Foundation on Fetal Alcohol Research and the Brewers Association of Canada partner to award research grants

SASKATOON, SK, Sept. 11, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Foundation on Fetal Alcohol Research (CFFAR) has today announced the recipients of its annual grants into the research, prevention and treatment of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The announcement was made by Dr. Louise Nadeau, Chair of CFFAR and Mr. Ian Faris, President and CEO of the Brewers Association of Canada.

The announcement was made as part of the 13^th Annual Fetal Alcohol Canadian Expertise (FACE) Research Roundtable, which is held every year on or around International FASD day.

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.

The 2012 grant recipients are:

Suzanne Tough, Child Development Centre, Calgary. Her project is titled The influence of prenatal alcohol exposure on parent-child interactions and social-emotional development at 24 months.

Carmen Rasmussen, University of Alberta. Her project is titled The utility of the neurobehavioral screening tool in screening for FASD.

Peter Carlen, University Health Network - Toronto Western Hospital. His project is titled Brain hyperexcitability in FASD mechanisms and determinants.

Stan Van Uum, University of Western Ontario. His project is titled Stress and FASD.

"Once again, we are delighted to support the critical research undertaken by these talented researchers. The diversity of the research projects, and the amount of projects that CFFAR was able to fund is a testament to the strength of the Foundation and the importance of these grants. The findings of this research will advance our knowledge of the bio-medical, psychological and social aspects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy," said Dr. Nadeau, Chair of the Board of Directors of CFFAR.

Ian Faris, President and CEO of the Brewers of Canada added: "It is our pleasure to provide the financial support that CFFAR's grantees require in order to complete these studies. We are looking forward to hearing the results of this research, in the hopes that our contribution will make an important difference in the lives of families living with FASD in Canada."

SOURCE: Canadian Foundation on Fetal Alcohol Research

For more information contact Andre Fortin at 613-286-8974 or visit the CFFAR website www.fasdfoundation.ca