Krembil Neuroscience Centre (KNC)

Research Initiatives and Innovations

Overview List of Clinics A - Z Glossary Maps and Directions KNC Team Information for Health Professionals Research Initiatives and Innovations Media Room

Through the Toronto Western Research Institute, researchers and scientists at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre explore the functions of the brain and nervous system as they discover treatments for Spine cord injuries, stroke, vascular malformations, brain tumors, neuro-ophthalmologic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

As a member of a hospital-based research institute, we are committed to research with scientific and clinical impact in the areas of genes, proteins and people; health information; medical technology innovation; and regenerative medicine. The proximity of basic researchers and clinician-scientists provides the full spectrum of expertise required to make discoveries in basic, translational and clinical research.

For more information on research at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre, visit the Toronto Western Research Institute.

Milestones and Innovations

	Developed a technique for Peritoneal Dialysis that made it possible on a large scale. (Dr. Dimitri Oreopoulos, 1977)
	First in the world to show the reversibility of brain shrinkage and dysfunction from alcoholism with abstinence. (1978)
	Canada's first Tourette's Syndrome Clinic and first Sleep Disorders Clinic are established. (1980)
	Developed a novel experimental technique that employs chemical substances to prevent or treat brain damage from stroke or trauma by regulating cell calcium levels. (Dr. Chris Wallace, 1992)
	Showed genetic predisposition to developing Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. (Dr. Angela Mailis, 1994)
	Performed the first deep brain stimulation in Canada to effectively control Parkinson's symptoms. (Dr. Andres Lozano, 1994)
	Awake craniotomy with same day discharge for brain tumor removal using image guided approach. (Dr. Mark Bernstein, 1996)
	Identified genes responsible for hereditary blindness, Alzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s and Huntington’s disease. (Dr. Peter St. George Hyslop, 1990’s)
	First in Canada to use Image-Guided Minimally Invasive Therapy (IGMIT) during surgery allowing for real-time magnetic resonance imaging to guide surgeons to the location of a brain tumor. (1998)
	Identified the individual brain cells that control pain. (Dr. Karen Davis and Dr. Andre Lozano, 1999)
	Identified of protein that triggers autoimmune response in Sjögren’s syndrome, as well as a vaccine to treat the condition. (Dr. Arthur Bookman, 2002)
	Developed method for detecting gene mutations that enhance care for families with retinoblastoma. (Dr. Brenda Gallie, 2003)
	Performed the world's first deep brain stimulation for treatment resistant depression. (Dr. Andres Lozano and Dr. Sidney Kennedy, 2003)
	Neural adult stem cell transplantation findings show promising results in repairing Spine cord damage and restoring mobility in rats. (Dr. Michael Fehlings and Dr. Soheila Karimi, 2006)

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