Science Minister names seven Canada Research Chairs at Western
November 15, 2018
Canada Research Chairs (CRCs) highlight world-changing science and innovation. Seven Western researchers are newly named, or newly renewed, Canada Research Chairs. Western will be home to three new Canada Research Chairs whose work will have global impact on earthquake disaster preparedness; psychology and brain science; and neuroimaging to help people with epilepsy.
Parkinson Society 2018 Scholarship winner
November 07, 2018
Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario Graduate Student Scholarship Program is a strategic initiative to encourage young scientists to enter the field of Parkinson’s research and to invest in research and training that offers promise for future work in the area of Parkinson’s Disease...
Raising funds for concussion research to safeguard athletes’ futures
November 06, 2018
A few weeks ago, Mr. Gilby, who works at Lerners LLP in London, Ont., reached out to fellow personal injury lawyers in the city and suggested they organize a dinner to raise money for the Robarts Research Institute at the University of Western Ontario, which is doing groundbreaking research into the effects concussions have on the brain.
7T maintenance – replacing the gradient coil
October 31, 2018
Our 7T scanner recently had a new gradient coil installed so we wanted to show you what happened...this was the delivery of the installation equipment and new AC84 Gradient coil...The NEW AC84! We received 2 day delivery from Erlangen to London...Joe and Martyn discuss installation details with our installation expert. You will see the old gradient coil with Joe...
Western University contributes to the first open-source NHP imaging database
September 28, 2018
BrainsCAN-aligned researchers have collaborated with an international team of researchers to develop the world’s first open-source data sets of non-human primate (NHP) brain imaging. Published in the prestigious journal Neuron, the PRIMatE Data Exchange (PRIME-DE) is the first open science resource for the neuroimaging community that aims to...
Understanding and Treating the ‘Sacred Disease’
September 27, 2018
Epilepsy was first described in Babylonian texts more than 3,000 years ago. The ancient Greeks called it the ‘sacred disease,’ associating the disorder with the divine. The ancient Romans believed it to be contagious and called sufferers lunaticus, or moonstruck. During the Middle Ages, it was known as the falling sickness.
From concussion awareness to action at See the Line
September 14, 2018
This year, the See the Line initiative expanded to two days. Highlights included the announcement of the successful completion of the NHLPA Challenge, which raised $3.125 million to support the future of concussion research. The 2-18 event also included the addition of the Scientific Workshop to bring together researchers to address animal modelling of concussion.
BrainsCAN Accelerator Internal Granting Program
September 06, 2018
We are excited to be offering this internal funding opportunity arising from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) supported BrainsCAN Initiative. The Accelerator Program is purposefully designed to push the limits of cognitive neuroscience and transform its landscape by supporting high-risk/high-reward research programs that could not be funded through traditional channels...
Science Minister names seven Canada Research Chairs at Western
September 06, 2018
Canada Research Chairs (CRCs) highlight world-changing science and innovation. Seven Western researchers are newly named, or newly renewed, Canada Research Chairs. Western will be home to three new Canada Research Chairs whose work will have global impact on earthquake disaster preparedness; psychology and brain science; and neuroimaging to help people with epilepsy.
NHL players and community contribute millions to concussion research at Western
August 28, 2018
Researchers at Western University have received $3.125 million to continue their studies on concussions and their effects on athletes. The funding comes thanks to donations from the community and the NHL Players Association, and will be used to support brain trauma experts at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry and Robarts Research Institute.
Eric Lindros keeps pushing as local concussion research get $3M boost
August 28, 2018
The London-based battle against concussions received a major infusion of funds Thursday. Western University announced $3.125 million in funding will be going to researchers at Western’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry for research into concussions. The money comes from the completion of the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) challenge, which began six years ago with the NHLPA’s $500,000 initial gift challenging the community to build on it to reach the $3.125 million figure.
Time to remove the body contact from hockey: Lindros
August 16, 2018
A power forward who blended strength and skill like no other before him or since, he built a Hall of Fame career on playing physically. But after a series of concussions forced him to retire from the NHL in 2007, the 45-year-old has a different view on how the game should be played. Speaking at See The Light, a concussion symposium at Western University on Thursday, Lindros said it’s time for the NHL to seriously think about removing body contact from the game.
Congratulations - Student Awards
July 26, 2018
Please join us in congratulating some of the graduate students who use our facility who have recently received awards. First, Stephanie Cullen, our first year MSc. candidate who has been with our lab as an undergraduate volunteer since 2016, was awarded the 2018-2019 Alzheimer Society London and Middlesex Master’s Scholarship. The project submitted is in collaboration with Michael Borrie using gait and cognitive assessments in the memory clinic...
Lindros to Western grads: ‘Never stop trying to be great’
July 10, 2018
It was to the Forest City where Eric Lindros – the hockey star who received an honorary doctor of laws degree Monday during Western University’s 311th convocation – retreated during the National Hockey League lockout of 1994. With 12 other NHL players who were also in limbo, Lindros kept his hockey skills sharp by practising with Western’s varsity team...
Corey Baron receives Petro-Canada Young Innovator
July 10, 2018
Congratulations to Robarts scientist Corey Baron, PhD, on receiving a 2018 Petro-Canada Young Innovator Award. Baron, an assistant professor with the Department of Medical Biophysics, is developing multidimensional imaging biomarkers for ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to learn more about the brain. He is specifically looking at new diffusion MRI techniques to better detect and characterize microscopic changes in the brain associated with neurological disorders...
Western study rules out one treatment pathway for Alzheimer's
July 06, 2018
A Western University study is ruling out one possible treatment pathway in the push to develop drugs for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia – a move that might steer future research in a different direction. A new study by Western physiology and pharmacology professor Stefan Everling and his collaborators Susheel Vijayraghavan and Alex Major is offering up some valuable information that might help researchers develop better memory-boosting drugs...
New BrainsCAN study rules out major potential target for Alzheimer’s disease drugs
July 05, 2018
An unexpected result discovered by neuroscientists at Western University won’t prevent the formation and growth of Alzheimer’s disease but it potentially rules out a major potential treatment focus that drug manufacturers – and researchers around the world – have been targeting for years in the fight against the debilitating disease.
Brain folds key to diagnosing psychosis early, Western study finds
April 25, 2018
The brain’s outer folds and ridges can be a road map for researchers trying to diagnose which patients are at the highest risk of psychosis later in life, a new Western University study says. By analyzing brain scans of at-risk patients, researchers have been able to predict which ones will develop psychosis with more than 80 per cent accuracy. The new development will make it easier for researchers to examine young people before they get sick and identify which ones are most likely to develop psychosis.
Concussion-Like Brain Changes Evident from a Regular Season of Rugby Play
February 02, 2018
By studying the metabolite levels in the brains of female varsity rugby players using MRI, researchers suggest that a regular season of play could cause changes in the brain that are similar to those caused by a concussion, though less severe. The researchers, from University of Western Ontario, used sophisticated Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to study the female players’ brains at the beginning of the season, after experiencing a concussion, and again at the end of the season.
BrainsCAN’s Research Study makes it into Westerns time capsule!
January 23, 2018
Recently retweeted by BrainsCAN Scientific Director Dr. Ravi Menon, @Brains_CAN’s first research summary just found its way into @WesterU’s time capsule for 2018 – won’t b seen again until 2068. Yes, we know it’s a unique approach to knowledge mobilization – fortunately, not the only thing we have planned! @DFREF_APOGEE
9.4T upgrades. Exciting changes at CFMM
January 23, 2018
CFMM is saying Hello to a brand new Bruker console in the 9.4T suite. Installation has begun. Here are a few highlight photos. Below you will find a photo of Joe Gati posing with the brand new Bruker console intended for our 9.4T suite. We are very excited and should have the upgrades fully completed and the new and improved 9.4T ready to go very soon.
Game Changing Research – CTV News video
January 23, 2018
If you’re playing a contact sport but don’t suffer a concussion that doesn’t necessarily mean your in the clear. Watch the CTV News video here: https://www.ctvnews.ca/videoclipId=1026681&playlistId=1.3216386&binId=1.811527&playlistPageNum=1&binPageNum=1
Rugby study shows metabolite changes in the brain
January 17, 2018
Researchers at Robarts Research Institute have shown that a regular season of play can cause changes in the brain that are similar to changes caused by concussion, though less severe. Using sophisticated Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy the researchers looked at metabolite levels in the brains of female varsity rugby players at the beginning of their season, after suffering a concussion, and again at the end of the season.
Science Minister Kirsty Duncan and London North Centre MP Peter Fragiskatos visit the CFMM
January 11, 2018
Canada’s Minister of Science Kirsty Duncan visited Western University earlier this month, meeting with scientists and trainees at Robarts. She toured the Translational Cognitive Neuroscience Lab and the Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, and also met with the co-chairs of the Inspiring Young Women in STEM Conference...“The Science Minister was hugely enthusiastic about the work that is being done at Western,” said Robarts scientist Lisa Saksida, PhD, Tier 1 CRC and Co-Scientific Director of BrainsCAN...
