Dr. Bonnie Kaplan

My research focus has been on developmental problems, primarily those affecting learning, attention, mood, and motor coordination. I am part of a team searching for genes that predipose children to dyslexia. In the attention area, I have studied the characteristics of both children and adults with ADHD. My interest in ADHD led to research on mood symptoms that are often associated with this diagnosis. Consequently, and because of a parallel interest in nutrient-behaviour interactions, I have been studying the role of supplementation with micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) for  the treatment of mood, aggression, and explosive rage. Most of this work has been used the supplement called EMPowerplus, by Truehope Nutritional Support Ltd. Most recently, I was funded as the team lead to investigate the role of prenatal nutrition on the developing brain and maternal mental health (APrON: Alberta Pregancy Outcomes and Nutrition). APrON is a longitudinal study which will recruit 10,000 pregnant women in Alberta and follow them and their offspring for many years.