Brain Health: Why It Matters
Our brain health shapes everything about who we are — how we think, learn, and connect with one another. 1 in 3 Ontarians will develop a brain disorder, turning brain health into a national economic and societal priority (Ontario Brain Institute, 2020). The challenges are significant, at the same time they also spark change and innovation. Every breakthrough in neuroscience brings us closer to improving quality of life for millions and creating new opportunities for Canada’s growing brain health economy.
Market Insights: Canada’s Growing Brain Health Economy
Canada’s brain health sector is expanding rapidly, fueled by advances in neuroscience, digital innovation, and a growing commitment to aging and mental wellness. In this article, “brain health innovation” encompasses neurotechnology devices, digital therapeutics, and central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics—a diverse ecosystem that’s reshaping how we understand and care for the brain.
Several trends are driving this growth:
• An aging population: As of 2024, about 3 million Ontarians (18.3%) were aged 65 or older —a number projected to reach 4.6 million (22.4%) by 2051.2 With this expected growth, the demand for new neurotechnologies supporting healthy brain aging continues to rise.
• Personalized and digital medicine: Artificial intelligence (AI) and data tools are reshaping care by enabling earlier and more accurate diagnoses, in addition to treatment delivery.
• Government investment: The federal government’s recent $44.8 million investments for healthy brain aging research underscores Canada’s national commitment to advancing brain health innovation.3
Digital Health: Powering the Next Wave of Brain Innovation
Building on these trends, digital health has become the backbone of how new neurotechnologies are developed and delivered. Digital health technologies enable continuous data capture, AI driven insights, and remote clinical delivery. From AI powered diagnostics and wearable sensors to virtual therapy platforms, these digital tools are making brain care more connected, data-driven, and accessible than ever.
This transformation extends beyond hospitals and clinics. People are using neurotech in everyday life to manage mental wellness, cognition, and sleep. These consumer-facing innovations reflect a growing movement toward proactive brain health, a model focused on prevention, early detection and ongoing selfcare, which blur the lines between clinical and personal care.
High-Growth Segments:
• Digital health in neurology is one of the most exciting areas to watch. Covering everything from brain-focused apps (software) and wearable sensors (hardware) to virtual therapy platforms (services), this field is growing faster than any other in neurotech. The Canadian market is expected to reach $7.6 billion by 2030, with an impressive 26.5% annual growth rate (Grand View Research, 2024). This surge is driven by software and tools powered by AI is helping people access care anytime, anywhere — a clear sign of how technology is reshaping the way we monitor and support brain health.
• Emerging high-growth opportunities include maternal mental health, cognitive assessment and training, and brain-computer interface technologies which are growing at an approximate 20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). While still relatively small markets in comparison, these areas represent high-reward opportunities for Canada to establish global leadership (Grand View Research, 2024).
• Established therapeutic markets remain important anchors for the sector. The Canadian CNS therapeutics market is projected to reach $8 billion by 2030 (CAGR 6.1%), offering both stability and scale (Grand View Research, 2024). Within this space, mental health disorders currently generate the largest share of revenue, while neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease are forecasted to see the fastest growth in the years ahead.
Ontario Brain Institute’s Role in Advancing Brain Health Innovation
At the Ontario Brain Institute (OBI), our role is more than funding research. We act as a bridge between discovery and impact, ensuring that new ideas in neuroscience translate into real world solutions that improves the lives of those living with brain disorders.
Through programs such as NERVE and NERD, OBI supports a network of 110+ portfolio companies across Ontario and beyond. Together, these companies received $17 million in funding, achieved a 25.9x return on investment, and attracted $440.5 million in follow-on investment from external partners.
How OBI’s Portfolio Aligns with Emerging Brain Health Trends
OBI’s investment strategy reflects both global market trends and Ontario’s unique strengths:
• Digital platforms: About 43% of OBI-supported companies are developing software and informatics tools—data-driven apps, AI diagnostics, and digital therapeutics—mirroring the global shift toward digital-first brain health solutions.
• Neurotech devices: Another 45% focuses on medical devices, building on Ontario’s established strengths in medtech and engineering, from wearable sensors to advanced brain-computer interfaces.
• Mental health innovations: Roughly 40% of OBI’s portfolio addresses mental health, reflecting urgent societal demand and the largest current revenue segment in CNS therapeutics.
• Aging and development: About a quarter of the portfolio targets Alzheimer’s disease and neurodevelopmental disorders, areas tied closely to Canada’s aging population and pediatric care priorities.
The alignment is clear: as brain health markets evolve, Ontario innovators are already moving with them—and in many cases, leading the way.
OBI’s neurotech portfolio reflects both global and local trends in brain health innovation. On the left, most supported companies develop devices (45%) and software/informatics platforms (43%), with a smaller share in therapeutics (12%). On the right, the majority focus on mental health (≈40%), followed by Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and other neurological areas, highlighting Ontario’s strengths across digital and medical neurotechnologies.
Why This Matters for Ontario
Ontario’s neurotech ecosystem continues to grow and is increasingly attracting international attention. OBI is supporting entrepreneurs and ensuring the province maintains its position as a world leader in brain health innovation. To sustain this momentum, we need smart investment and close collaboration among researchers, entrepreneurs, industry, patients and communities.
With OBI’s support, Ontario is turning market opportunities into real impact for people living with brain disorders, for families seeking better care options, and for communities building a more innovative and inclusive future.
Want to learn more? Explore OBI’s portfolio companies, research programs, and upcoming events at braininstitute.ca.
References:
- Ontario Brain Institute. (2020). Brain health in Ontario: Forming an integrated approach [PDF]. https://braininstitute.ca/docs/Brain-Health-in-Ontario-Forming-an-Integrated-Approach.pdf
- Ontario Ministry of Finance. (2024). Ontario Population Projections. Retrieved from https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-population-projections
- Government of Canada. (2024). Government of Canada and Partners Invest $44.8 Million to Support Healthy Brain Aging. Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/institutes-health-research/news/2024/07/government-of-canada-and-partners-invest-448-million-to-support-healthy-brain-aging.html
- Grand View Research. (2024). Canada central nervous system therapeutic market size & outlook [Industry report summary]. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/horizon/outlook/central-nervous-system-therapeutic-market/canada
