This year The Neuro celebrated its . Since its founding in 1934 by neurosurgeon Dr. Wilder Penfield, The Neuro has grown to be the largest specialized neuroscience research and clinical centre in Canada, and one of the largest in the world. These are some of the highlights of The Neuro鈥檚 anniversary year.
Special appointments and awards
Several faculty and staff were recognized for their contributions with special appointments and awards this year. Neuroscientist Alan Evans has been elected Fellow of the Royal Society, UK鈥檚 national academy of sciences. Originally from Wales, since the mid-1980s Evans has been a leading figure in brain mapping in clinical and basic neuroscience. Evans' research interests include cognitive neuroimaging, neuroanatomical variability, and image-processing methodologies for PET and MRI.
Registered nurse Helen Fong received the International DAISY Award from the World Federation of Neuroscience Nurses for her outstanding contribution the profession. In over 20 years at The Neuro, Helen has been a bedside clinical nurse in neurosurgery, a clinical research coordinator and a research nurse to exceptional standards.
Neurologist Dr. Ron Postuma was appointed Director of the Division of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, at the 海角社区 Health Centre. Dr. Postuma is a professor at the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at 海角社区 whose clinical practice focuses on movement disorders, Parkinson鈥檚 disease, in particular.
This year Monique Leroux was named chair of the Neuro Advisory Board. Leroux currently serves on the boards of renowned companies like Michelin, BCE/Bell, and Couche-Tard. She holds many prestigious honours including the Order of Canada and the L茅gion d'Honneur (France).
Research excellence
Neuro researchers made many important contributions to our knowledge of the human brain this year. A study published in October by Denise Klein and Xiaoqian Chai found that learning a second language at a young age leads to efficient whole-brain connectivity. Previous research has also shown that whole-brain efficiency aids cognitive performance. At the Clinical Research Unit, a new trial is testing a drug that has the potential to change the course of myotonic dystrophy, not merely treat its symptoms. Current therapies mitigate some symptoms but are unable to impact disease progression.
Open Science progress
The Open Science movement founded by The Neuro鈥檚 Tanenbaum Open Science Institute (TOSI) took another step forward this year. The Western Institute for Neuroscience (WIN) became the sixth organization to join the network by incorporating Open Science practices into its research projects. Once again this year, researchers who are leading OS initiatives were rewarded with The Neuro - Irv and Helga Cooper Foundation Open Science Prizes. The 2024 winners were recognized for advancing neuroscience by improving inclusivity and access to neuroimaging and genetics data.
Other milestones
- The Neuro Patient Resource Centre turned 25 years old.
听 - The McConnell Brain Imaging Centre reached the 40-year mark.
听 - Dr. Gilles Bertrand celebrated his 100th birthday.
