2024
Awakening the brain through the power of music
June 10, 2024
Alzheimer’s is a disease with devastating effects, stripping away a person’s memories and eventually their identity. Currently there is no pharmaceutical treatment to reverse it, but research is showing there is a therapy that seems to bring a person back, if only momentarily. Music. “We don’t really know why music has such a strong impact on humans,” said Jessica Grahn, psychology professor. “What we do know is that music has a profound effect on mood, and that is something that can be beneficial to dementia and Alzheimer’s patients.”Western-led analysis shows potential in new Alzheimer’s treatment
May 27, 2024
A team of researchers from Western, Stanford and University of California, San Francisco have evaluated a new drug for enhancing the brain’s resilience to changes driven by Alzheimer’s in its first human trial. The findings show promising results for patients with mild to moderate forms of the disease.World-renowned neuroscientist elected Fellow of Royal Society
May 27, 2024
Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor Adrian Owen has been elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society, the U.K.'s national academy of science. Owen is the fifth Western faculty member since 1878 to be elected as a Fellow.Concussion research helps to protect kids’ brains, informing enhanced safety guidelines
May 12, 2024
Research by Ravi Menon, PhD, and team on the effects of concussion continues to inform best practices and helps shape policy for youth sportsGroundbreaking research paves way to AAAS Fellowship for Western scientist
April 18, 2024
Dr. Robyn Klein has been elected to the American Association for the Advancement of Science class of Fellows for her neuroscience researchYoung researchers on frontlines of brain studies among recipients of early career funding
April 02, 2024
Taylor Schmitz is using the same strategy to conquer Alzheimer’s that the disease uses in attacking the human brain – he’s coming after the neurological disorder with a multiple-pronged approach. Jibran Khokhar is investigating the terrible toll that mental illness and addiction are inflicting on Ontarians – nearly two times the disease burden of cancer and seven times that of pre-pandemic infectious diseases.Western cognitive neuroscientist awarded competitive fellowship
March 22, 2024
Ryan Stevenson studies how children's perception of the world impacts future brain developmentResearchers revolutionizing understanding of nicotine’s effect on adolescent brain
March 19, 2024
A team of researchers at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, led by Professor Steven R. Laviolette, PhD, is redefining our understanding of nicotine's impact on the adolescent brain.Over $7.5 million in funding sets stage for major innovations in biotherapeutics and translational research
March 14, 2024
Funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation will bolster the School’s research strength in biotherapeutics and enable researchers to better understand brain function in health and disease.New study expands understanding of brain blood flow and neurological disorders
March 14, 2024
Researchers from Schulich Medicine & Dentistry and Maastricht University in the Netherlands have developed an efficient, non-invasive method to better understand perfusion in various regions of the hippocampus, which could aid in the diagnosis of various neurological diseasesResearchers link placental oxygen levels to fetal brain development
March 04, 2024
A new interdisciplinary study led by Emma Duerden and Emily Nichols uses MRI to examine the placenta's pivotal role in fetal brain health and offers potential insights for early interventions.Neuroscience student works to further Alzheimer’s research and diversify student voices at Western
March 01, 2024
Dika Ojiakor spent his childhood devouring books that seemed too old for him. His curiosity has now led to research on Alzheimer’s at Robarts Research InstituteBehind the Research: Western examines the brain’s secrets
March 01, 2024
President Alan Shepard in conversation with professors Lisa Saksida and Ravi Menon on the latest advances in neuroscience and cognitionNeuroscience student, and football player tackles early stages of Alzheimer’s
February 02, 2024
Hayley Shanks may be a wide receiver for Western’s women’s football team, but when she is off the field, she’s tackling Alzheimer’s disease through her research. She's analyzing the results of a drug that's in clinical trials targeting the disease in its early-to-mild stages.2024 Rising Star – Certificate of Excellence Award
February 02, 2024
Shahnaza Hamidullah, a 4th year MD/PhD student, is already making a significant contribution to research at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. Working with neuroscientists Lisa Saksida, PhD, and Tim Bussey, PhD, in the Translational Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Hamidullah is exploring the brain changes underlying cognitive impairments in schizophrenia.New online study explores link between healthy brains and bodies
January 19, 2024
In a collaboration with the Science and Industry Museum (Manchester, U.K.), neuroscientist Adrian Owen and his team have set out to explore the links between physical and cognitive health using online immersive games