Sparking ground-breaking research opportunities.

 

Research

Our research is shedding light on the mysteries of the brain and nervous system, while creating new strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatment and the cure of many disorders. Areas of focus include:

  • discovering how our nervous system develops, wires itself and functions to allow us to learn, remember, see, grasp objects with the right amount of force, and move in coordinated ways

  • learning how the brain and nervous system react to such stressors including lack of sleep, chemical insults, strokes and traumatic injuries — and finding ways to protect against, and recover from, disruption and damage

  • uncovering how genetics, environmental influences and other factors contribute to neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, and creating paths to early detection, diagnosis and treatment to minimize the impact on people’s lives

  • pioneering new technologies and approaches in terms of diagnostic tests, surgical procedures, medical treatments, disease-management protocols, rehabilitation programs and other therapeutic interventions

Learn more about our groundbreaking work on our What We Do page.

Research Clusters

Research activity is organized into four clusters. The cluster approach allows researchers to participate in multidisciplinary translational research in a collaborative way that cuts across disciplines. This helps create greater synergies and build teams that can interact and further research in a multi-relational manner. These clusters are referred to as:

  • Atlantic Mobility Action Project (AMAP) Cluster — A large group of spinal cord researchers (including neurosurgeons, neurobiologists, electrophysiologists, physiatrists, and physiotherapists), who aim to restore function and mobility in people with diseases or injuries that affect their spinal cord and nervous system.

  • Neurodegeneration Cluster — Researchers in this cluster are focussing on aging-related diseases and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease and stroke. Their work investigates how these diseases can be diagnosed, monitored, treated, minimized and even prevented.

  • Neurodevelopment Cluster — The focus of this cluster is to uncover ways the brain develops and the interplay of genes and environment on that process. This research group will emphasize the 'molecule-to-child' approach. Areas of research include: neurodevelopment disorders; epilepsy; mood disorders; autism spectrum disorders; aging; stress; bipolar disorder; attention; memory; learning; genetic disorders.

  • Mental Health Cluster - Our mental health focus at the BRC has a focus on neurologic and mental health diseases and disorders such as mood disorders (bipolar and depression), autism, schizophrenia, ADHD and pain. The end goal is to advance the understanding, prevention, treatment and outcomes for these diseases and disorders.

  • Traumatic Injury (TBI) Cluster — This cluster includes academia, clinicians, government, associations and citizens. The TBI cluster has developed a business model to include the provision of continuing and individualized care to brain injured patients while combining research and delivery of support through a collaborative care model. The full business plan is available here.