Innovation Anthology #116:

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The Omega 3 fatty acids you get from fish help maintain your eyesight, particularly one called DHA.

University of Alberta researcher Dr. Yves Sauve explains.

DR. YVE SAUVE: DHA stands for docosahexaenoic acid. And that has 50 percent of the fat in our photoreceptors, These are the cells that we need to see, the cones and the rods. Fifty percent of the fat is DHA.

As we age, the concentration of DHA in the eye naturally declines. Dr. Sauve is researching how that may lead to age related macular degeneration or AMD.

DR. YVE SAUVE: One of the features is bad fat called lipofuscin and A2E. And they accumulate behind the eye. And it’s called dry AMD. So AMD can be divided into dry and wet. This is the major risk factor for developing wet AMD. In wet AMD, you become blind because blood accumulates and it destroys the macula.

Diet helps. And Dr. Sauve may soon have a test to detect the early stages of the disease.

Thanks today to the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.

FOR INNOVATION ANTHOLOGY, I’M CHERYL CROUCHER

Note:  AHFMR is now called Alberta Innovates Health Solutions

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Alberta Innovates Health Solutions

Alberta Innovates (formerly Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions)

As the newly formed Alberta Innovates corporation, we still fund top quality, internationally competitive health research and innovation activities to improve the health and wellbeing of Albertans. We provide leadership for Alberta’s health research and innovation enterprise by directing, coordinating, reviewing, funding and supporting research and innovation.

Working with our many partners  in the health system, we ensure that research achieves innovation in care, policy and practice, and that the needs of patients and clinicians influence research.

Our background

Alberta Innovates consolidation was launched November 1, 2016.

Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions

Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions was established as part of the Alberta Innovates system by an Act of Legislation of the Government of Alberta. It is a agency  of the Government of Alberta. We receive a yearly allocation from the Ministry of Health and report through the ministry to the people of Alberta.

Our Mandate and Roles document reflects our role and responsibilities and outlines the government statues and regulations with which we comply.

Alberta’s Health Research and Innovation Strategy (AHRIS) sets out Alberta’s health research agenda for the coming decade to ensure our considerable investments in research align with our priority—to improve the health of Albertans.

Program Date: 2008-03-13