2017
Researchers uncover clues about returning to play after concussion
November 3, 2017
Western researcher Ravi Menon and his team at Robarts Research Institute and Schulich Medicine School of Medicine & Dentistry have shown that young hockey players who have suffered concussions still show changes in the white matter of the brain months after being cleared to return to play.
Findings from a recent Western-led survey may indicate that young athletes who suffer concussions may be returning to the field, court or ice too soon, as their brains are continuing to change long after they are cleared for action.
Young hockey players hit the ice too soon after concussions: study
November 3, 2017
Young athletes may be returning to the ice or the field too soon after suffering a concussive blow, according to a new Canadian study that found unexplained changes in the brain can continue for months after a player has been deemed fit to play using conventional tests.
Researchers at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine compared the MRIs of 17 bantam hockey players between 11 and 14 years old taken 24 to 72 hours after becoming concussed against a set of scans done three months later.
The findings revealed changes related to damage to the wiring of the brain, or white matter — vital communication lines that could affect vision, balance, and even thought processes if disrupted.
Uncovering Concussion Clues
October 26, 2017
Findings from a recent Western-led survey may indicate that young athletes who suffer concussions may be returning to the field, court or ice too soon, as their brains are continuing to change long after they are cleared for action.
Western researcher Ravi Menon and his team at Robarts Research Institute and Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry have shown that young hockey players who have suffered concussions still show changes in the white matter of the brain months after being cleared to return to play. The findings were published in this month’s issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
The study looked at MRI brain scans from 17 Bantam-level hockey players between the ages of 11-14, who suffered a concussion during the regular season. Most of the concussions were a result of falls that resulted in a hit to the back of the head.
A Multi-angled Approach to Research
October 13, 2017
Researchers are exploring multiple sclerosis from all angles to better understand, diagnose and treat the mysteries of the disease
By Emily Leighton, MA’13
You’re sitting at a table in a plain room.
A researcher sits directly across from you, ready to begin the series of testing activities you’ll be undertaking throughout the next hour.
She starts by reading a list of 16 words. You’re asked to repeat them back in any order. You remember the vegetables easily – celery, spinach and cabbage. You close your eyes, trying to recall the other words.
Celery, spinach, cabbage…
Robarts takes centre stage at See the Line
September 15, 2017
Robarts’ research strengths and world-class facilities took centre stage at this year’s See the Line event on August 16.
As part of the day’s events, Canadian Olympian and hockey all-star Hayley Wickenheiser toured the research facilities at Robarts. She was joined by Kalley Armstrong, assistant coach for the Western Mustangs Women’s Hockey Team and former varsity athlete for Harvard University.
Scientists Rob Bartha, PhD, Arthur Brown, PhD, and Greg Dekaban, PhD, along with trainees from their labs, presented current concussion research projects to the athletes and media in attendance. The research team discussed the importance of animal research in advancing the field, highlighting their work in reverse translation – using animal models to validate research findings in humans.
Recent Awards
September 11, 2017
Jonathan & Joshua Memorial Graduate Scholarship
Established by Audrey and Delmar Cobban and matched by Robarts Research Institute, this award recognizes Doctoral research in the area of heart and stroke disease.
Alex Major, PhD Candidate, Neuroscience
Supervisor: Stefan Everling, PhD
This scholarship is given to a Doctoral or Master’s student who is specializing in mental health research, and is generously made available by Mr. Robert McKinnon and friends.
The Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada
September 11, 2017
His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, toured Robarts Research Institute during his visit to Western University.
He spent time with researchers, including Ravi Menon, PhD, discussing their groundbreaking concussion and brain imaging research.
World-class imaging facilities on display
July 12, 2017
Robarts scientist Ravi Menon, PhD, has been named Co-Scientific Director of Western University’s BrainsCAN initiative, effective as of June 2017. He will work alongside fellow Robarts scientist Lisa Saksida, PhD, to lead the group.
Menon has paved the way for key developments in the field of brain imaging research – from working on the team that discovered functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to developing and championing the use of ultra-high field MRI techniques for use in patient care.
Congratulations on this new role.
The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health for Canada visits CFMM
July 6, 2017
CFMM was pleased to welcome the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health for Canada, where Dr. Robert Bartha, lead Researcher, gave a tour of our state-of-the-art brain cancer imaging facility and our 9.4T scanner.
World-class imaging facilities on display
May 1, 2017
Standing in the Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping (CFMM) surrounded by high-field MRI scanners is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. Home to Canada’s only large-bore 9.4T MRI for animal models, Canada’s only 7T human MRI, and Canada’s first 64-channel 3T MRI, the facility is on the leading-edge of global imaging research.
Thirteen graduate trainees from across Canada recently took part in this experience at the CFMM’s 2017 MRI Winter School.
Canada Brain Research Fund Grant for CFMM
May 1, 2017
Western’s Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping (CFMM) is the recipient of a $2.7 million Platform Support Grant from the Canada Brain Research Fund, as part of $29 million in funding announced today by Jane Philpott, Minister of Health.
“This grant means that we can continue to be the leading MR Centre and the leading neuroscience core facility in the country,” said Ravi Menon, PhD, director of CFMM located at Robarts Research Institute.
2017 J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine is for “Discovery and Innovation in Multiple Sclerosis”
April 20, 2017
As Chair of the Selection Committee for the J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine, made possible through the generosity of the C.H. Stiller Foundation, I am soliciting nominations for the 2017 J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine.
J. Allyn Taylor, founding Chair of the Board of Robarts Research Institute, was a widely respected Canadian business leader, and a person who, throughout his lifetime, demonstrated a deep regard and passionate involvement in health care matters in Canada.
CFMM Welcomes Governor General of Canada March 8 2017
March 8, 2017
CFMM received a visit from David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, to join researchers and students in conversation about their concussion studies.
