Keynote Pr. Bernard Brais (McGill): The study of hereditary ataxias in Quebec: a history of diversity
We will have the pleasure of welcoming Professor Bernard Brais of McGill University to a plenary conference, tiltled:
The study of hereditary ataxias in Quebec: a history of diversity.
Dr. Bernard Brais is a neurologist, co-director of the Rare Neurological
Diseases group of the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital. He
completed his MDCM, Neurology residency and PhD at McGill. He is also
trained as a historian of neurosciences and genetics. His research
largely focuses on the genetic basis of neurogenetic disorders with
founder effects in Quebec, with an increasing focus on disorders with
ataxic manifestations such as Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of
Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS). Since 2007, he has headed a team of
researchers on ARSACS. Dr. Brais has played important roles in
identifying causal genes for Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD),
Hereditary Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathy type II (HSANII), Limb
Girdle Muscular Dystrophy with Quadriceps atrophy (LGMD2L), Pol
III-related leukodystrophies, and ZAK congenital myopathy.
