University of Toronto Neuroscience and Brain Health Network
U of T’s Neuroscience and Brain Health Network
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The University of Toronto (U of T) is a vibrant and diverse academic community of 80,000 students, 12,000 faculty and 6,000 staff members across three distinctive campuses and many partner sites, including world-renowned hospitals.
As an international research pacesetter, U of T is second only to Harvard in research publications. U of T is also a leader in knowledge translation and entrepreneurship: Toronto students and faculty generated 25 spin-off companies in 2011 alone.
U of T graduates are strengthening their communities and creating successful and innovative societies. U of T claims 500,000 alumni in 175 countries, many of whom hold leadership roles in every sphere of human activity with surprising concentrations of influence everywhere from Hollywood to Hong Kong.
For more information about Neuroscience at U of T, please visit: link to A) new page with all content below or B) revamped Neurology at U of T site
The Division of Neurology at U of T is composed of hospital-based neurology units at many teaching sites in Toronto, including:
- Baycrest
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
- Mount Sinai Hospital
- St. Michael's Hospital
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
- The Hospital for Sick Children
- University Health Network
Many of these programs are internationally renowned, receiving referrals from all parts of Canada, the United States and beyond.
A number of basic science laboratories are affiliated with the Division and located within the hospital-based research institutes and on the U of T campus, including the Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases.
The Division of Neurology’s mission is:
- To expand knowledge of causes, treatments and cures for neurological disease;
- To provide unparalleled care to neurological patients;
- To train the next generation of Neurology practitioners and neuroscientists.
Bloorview Research Institute at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
The Bloorview Research Institute is dedicated to improving the lives of children with disabilities and their families through clinically linked and applied pediatric rehabilitation research. The Institute brings together scientists with expertise in medicine, surgery, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech- language pathology, engineering, epidemiology, biostatistics, psychology and more.
Led by Tom Chau, the Institutes areas of research include:
- Accessible spaces
- Acquired brain injury
- Attitudes toward disability
- Autism
- Bullying of children with disabilities
- Cerebral palsy
- Spina bifida
The Research Institute’s location inside Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital promotes collaboration and innovation. Children, families, therapists and researchers work together to identify real-world problems and develop products or treatments.
The Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is the leading mental health and addictions research facility in Canada, and one of the largest in the world. CAMH scientists are world leaders in understanding brain structure and function and furthering knowledge of the causes and best treatments for mental illness and addictions.
Led by Bruce Pollock, CAMH’s research program is comprised of four research departments:
- Clinical Research
- Neuroscience Research
- Research Imaging Centre
- Social and Epidemiological Research
CAMH’s research program has state-of-the-art resources and facilities and is home to internationally recognized scientists, including five Canada Research Chairs and 10 endowed U of T chairs and professorships.
The Hospital for Sick Children
The Neurosciences and Mental Health program at Sick Kids focuses on the brain and the nervous system in health and disease. Led by Professor Michael Salter, the diverse group of researchers includes international leaders in the field of neurosciences and mental health.
Sick Kids researchers investigate both normal development and disorders of the nervous system from a broad range of perspectives in a highly collaborative and interactive environment. Investigators examine the role of genes, proteins and other molecules in brain function to determine the different causes of brain dysfunction and ultimately to develop novel therapies and prevention strategies that substantially improve a child’s quality of life at home, in school and within their environments.
Krembil Neuroscience Centre at University Health Network
The Krembil Neuroscience Centre (KNC), located at Toronto Western Hospital, is home to one of the largest combined clinical and research neurological facilities in North America. Since opening in 2001, KNC has been recognized as a world leader through its research achievements, education and exemplary patient care.
Led by Michael Fehlings, the Centre focuses on the advancement, detection and treatment of neurological diseases and specializes in movement disorders, dementias, stroke, spinal cord injury, blinding eye diseases, epilepsy and cancer-related conditions
This year marks the opening of the Centre’s new research facility, the Krembil Discovery Tower. This facility will house state-of-the-art equipment and world-renowned researchers to push the boundaries of discovery and seek answers to diseases and conditions of the nervous system including spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum at Mount Sinai Hospital
The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital is a landmark in the Canadian biomedical research landscape. Home to 50 core investigators and 60 clinical researchers, the institute is small, but mighty. While seen as a top tier leader in discovery research in its own right, the institute also effectively synergizes with the clinical programs of the hospital, creating value for patients, researchers and the community.
Led by Jim Woodget, the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital is leading the way in health science research and helping advance the future health of Canadians.
The Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest
The Rotman Research Institute (RRI) is a premier international centre for the study of human brain function. The primary research focus is on memory and the executive (frontal lobe) functions of the brain, both in normal aging and in the presence of diseases and conditions which affect the brain, such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Led by Randy McIntosh, RRI’s world-renowned scientists promote effective care and improved quality of life of the elderly through research into behavioural changes associated with the aging process.
RRI Research strengths include:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Population Neuroscience
- Neuroinformatics
- Auditory Neuroscience
St. Michael’s Neuroscience Research Program is built upon the well-established, clinical excellence in the areas of stroke, neurotrauma, multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Led by Tom A. Schweizer, the program brings together a unique group of nationally and internationally renowned neuroscientists. By mobilizing researchers in the areas of fundamental neurobiology, neuroimaging, clinical trials and knowledge translation, the Program works to unravel the mysteries of the brain and brain health.
St. Michael’s is a leading clinical site for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders, including:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Traumatic brain injury
- Stroke
- Aneurysm
- Multiple sclerosis,
- Parkinson’s disease
- Brain tumours
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage and neuro-trauma
Scientists in the brain sciences research program at Sunnybrook Research Institute work to identify the mechanisms underlying complex neurobiological diseases and to develop innovative strategies to help people recover from these mind-destroying illnesses.
Led by Sandra Black, Sunnybrook brain scientists perform basic, clinical and translational research from different perspectives. Those working in the lab are examining molecular interactions in the nervous system, while others are exploring new imaging techniques to map the brains of people with mood disorders, dementia and stroke.
The program also has clinical researchers developing new rehabilitation and drug therapies. The program’s varied areas of focus result in an integrated approach to neurological disease that ultimately improves clinical care.
Sunnybrook investigators focus on disorders and conditions of the brain and central nervous system, including:
- Stroke
- Alzheimer's, vascular, Parkinson's and frontotemporal dementia
- Anxiety and mood disorders
- Motor neuron diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Brain tumours
- Multiple sclerosis
- Traumatic brain injury
- Sleep disorders
- Effects of cognitive impairment on safe functioning in the community