Since the 1950’s, UBC has been the site of groundbreaking discoveries in understanding, diagnosing and treating a number of brain disorders and diseases. It is also home to Canada’s largest integrated research and treatment facility – the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health.
Today, more than 500 researchers continue to be at the forefront of brain research, pioneering their work around mental health and addictions, dementia, and movement disorders.
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Discoveries
- 2017: Controversial treatment for MS found to be ineffective
- 2017: Link between vitamin A and Alzheimer’s disease
- 2017: Scientists create mouse that resists addiction
- 2016: Antibiotic restores brain cell communication damaged by Alzheimer’s
- 2015: Regular exercise can reduce risk of dementia
- 2012: Gene linked to Parkinson’s disease found
Key Research Groups
- BC Centre on Substance Use
- Brain, Behaviour & Development
- Centre for Research on Personhood in Dementia
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health
- Dynamic Brain Circuits and Connections in Health and Disease cluster
- Edwin S.H. Leong Healthy Aging Program
- Institute of Mental Health
- Pacific Parkinson’s Research Centre
Spotlight
Psychedelics: A new frontier in addiction medicine
The philanthropic community steps up to fill a funding gap in psychedelic-assisted therapy for treating opioid and other substance use disorders.
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Common treatment for multiple sclerosis may prolong life
Significant UBC study followed nearly 6,000 patients for more than two decades.
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New approach to stroke treatment could minimize brain damage
A new treatment for stroke may soon be possible, thanks to a discovery by an international team of researchers led by UBC.
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Motherhood changes the brain, possibly forever
Reproductive experiences may change the trajectory of women’s aging across the lifespan, finds new research from the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health.
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Disability progression in multiple sclerosis linked to income, education
The UBC study, led by Helen Tremlett, is the first of its kind.
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UBC researchers discover how blood vessels protect the brain during inflammation
Findings could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases
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NFL gives significant funding to help youth ‘shred’ the burden of concussion
UBC researchers involved in groundbreaking pan-Canadian research program.
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Lowering levels of Huntington disease-causing protein restores cognitive function in mice
After receiving pieces of DNA called antisense oligonucleotides, the mice also became less anxious and depressed.
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Child abuse could leave “molecular scars” on its victims
The researchers found a distinctive and significant difference in chemical tags on 12 regions of the genome.
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Concussions loosen insulation around brain cells
The loosening was detected two weeks post-concussion, when the players said they felt fine and were deemed ready to play.
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