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
CREST.BD network recognized by CIHR for transformation in patient engagement
CREST.BD and its leader, Erin Michalak, received a Gold Leaf Prize for excellence in translational health research.
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Wearable brain devices marketed to consumers raise ethical questions
Neuroethicist Judy Illes recommends caution with wearable brain devices
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Mining 25 years of data uncovers a new predictor of age of onset for Huntington disease
UBC researchers have uncovered a genetic variant that significantly influences age of onset in patients.
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Huntington drug successfully lowers levels of disease-causing protein
An international clinical trial has found that a new drug for Huntington disease is safe and lowers levels of disease-causing protein.
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First-of-its-kind imaging facility to accelerate brain research at UBC
The Charles E. Fipke Integrated Neuroimaging Suite is unique, with its PET-MRI machine dedicated solely to brain-related research.
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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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