Studies related to brain injury

fMRI and Cognitive Testing in Neurotypical Controls

Robarts Research Institute (RRI)

We are looking for healthy controls to take part in a study of brain imaging and cognition in epilepsy patients! Epilepsy affects one in 100 Canadians and is the second most common nervous system disorder, after stroke. About one-third of patients with epilepsy are considered refractory meaning that their seizures are not well-controlled with current medications. These patients generally experiences decreased quality of life, increased unemployment, and comorbid psychiatric illnesses. This study is part of a large program of research that aims to understand common underlying causes of brain dysfunction and develop novel approaches to treatment that might be relevant to epilepsy.

MIMIC Study

Western Interdisciplinary Research Building (WIRB), Robarts Research Institute (RRI), University Hospital (UH), or Victoria Hospital (VH)

Advances in life-saving medical technology have dramatically increased survival rates for patients after severe brain injury. The recovery and continued care of these individuals often require extensive stays in intensive care units (ICUs), where critical treatment decisions are made to maximize the likelihood of recovering consciousness and cognitive function. These decisions are typically based on unreliable behavioural responses, rather than on objective and quantifiable indicators. Our goal is to combine functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), advanced electroencephalography (EEG), and time-resolved functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to improve diagnosis and prognosis in the ICU. To do so, we are seeking healthy control volunteers to image brain activity to compare to the imaging we will do in the patient population.