Stephen H. Pasternak, SB , MD CM, PhD, FRCPC
Associate Professor of Neurology, Western University and Associate Scientist, Molecular Brain Research Group, Robarts Research Institute
Office: Parkwood Institute
Phone: 519-646-6032
Secretary: Kathy Ayers, Ilda Moniz
Bio Sketch
Dr. Pasternak received his S. B. Degrees in Chemical Engineering and in Life Sciences from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He completed the MD/PhD program at McGill University, Montreal, earning his PhD in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery in 1994 and his M.D. C.M. in 1995. Dr. Pasternak then completed his Neurology residency at the University of Toronto Fin 2000, followed by Post-Doctoral training in Cell Biology at the Hospital of Sick Children in Toronto and Fellowship training in Cognitive Neurology at the University of Toronto. Dr. Pasternak joined the Department in 2004 and specializes in Cognitive Neurology.
Research
Dr. Stephen Pasternak is a Neurologist specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disease and a basic scientist at the Robarts Research Institute at Western University. At his clinic in Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Research Centre at Parkwood Institute he participates in academic and industry sponsored clinical trials focused on diagnosing and treating neurodegenerative disease, including his own Phase 2 study of Ambroxol in Parkinson’s Disease Dementia.
The Pasternak laboratory at the Robarts Research Institute at Western University is focused on understanding the basic cell biology of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is caused by a toxic protein called beta-amyloid which builds up in the brain. We use live cell laser-scanning confocal microscopy to study the proteins responsible for the production of beta-amyloid, including how they move in cells, and how they interact. We are also working with imaging scientists, to design a contrast agent to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease and MRI techniques to detect the changes of Alzheimer's disease in the brain using very high field MRI. We hope that our work will lead to a better understanding of Alzheimer's disease which will lead to diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Medical Interests
At his clinic in Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Research Centre at Parkwood Institute of St. Joseph's Hospital he specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disease including Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy Body Disease, Parkinson’s Disease Dementia, and Frontotemporal Dementia.
Clinical Trials, Alzheimer's Disease, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Parkinson’s Disease Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, Cognitive Disorders, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Honours and Awards
- 2014. Best Paper, Molecular Brain
- 2012, Bell Mental Health Research Training Award, Brain Canada
