A critical challenge today in neuro-surgery is the determination of tumor boundaries intraoperatively. There are means of doing this using high-resolution MRI machines, however, these can be prohibitively costly. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) offers a promising, cheaper, label-free alternative. However, the basic models used for clinical, real-time OCT limit its usefulness and depth of focus. […]

Recent evidence shows there is extensive and direct communication between the brain and gastrointestinal tract, where nutrients are absorbed, and that intestinal microbiota have a role in healthy brain function. This study aims to look at the effects of probiotics, live bacteria that inhabit the gut and can help improve your health, on the mood, […]

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) results in high blood sugars and can cause serious complications. Recent studies suggest that treatment with diabetes medications along with lifestyle changes can result in patients not needing diabetes medications for months or even years, a concept known as diabetes remission. The Remission Evaluation of Metabolic Interventions in Type 2 Diabetes […]

Performance anxiety has been shown to negatively impact decision-making as well as academic performance, but it is unclear whether the effect of anxiety on test performance is due to impaired decision-making. Audio-Visual Entrainment (AVE), which involves exposure to rhythmically pulsating light and sound, has been shown to relieve anxiety symptoms — thus, AVE may be […]

This project will determine if abnormal behavior of the visual system correlates with symptoms in patients with concussions. Our first step will be to ensure that we obtain the same values for each of 7 tests when we measure a healthy person twice within a short period of time (called reliability). Next, we will see […]

The increased incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its potentially serious long-term consequences have enormous clinical, societal and economic impacts in Canada. Yet despite its relatively high prevalence, TBI is one of the least understood neurological injuries. Emerging evidence shows that the effects of TBI are not transient and may be associated with significant […]

Adiga Life Sciences Inc. developed a novel immunotherapeutic platform in which small components (peptides) of allergen proteins are identified and administered in a regimen that causes immune cells to become non-responsive towards the allergens. In a phase II clinical trial, the cat allergy treatment developed by Adiga using this platform reduced allergic symptoms in allergic […]

In this project we aim to generate simple assays similar to commercial pregnancy tests that can detect the presence of specific molecules (metabolites) related to disease conditions. We will use our knowledge and experience to generate easy-to-use strips that will allow specific detection of health-relevant metabolites that can be used in clinical or at-home settings […]

The aim of The Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN) is to help combat the spread of HIV by supporting, conducting, and sharing the best research possible. This project will involve a novel analysis of previously conducted focus groups with front-line service providers to help determine the factors that most influence the perception of HIV risk. […]

Over 350,000 Canadians live in long-term care facilities where the rate of falls is up to 3 times higher than among individuals living in the community. Wearable sensor technology holds great promise to accurately monitor an individual’s fall risk based on the activity profile and to detect dangerous fall events. With the understanding that hip […]

Presently medical personnel do not have adequate tools to assess disorders of conscious awareness after severe brain injury if the patients have difficulty speaking & moving. These people are frequently deemed unresponsive when they may be “in there” but unable to respond. Our research team has developed a rapidly administerable, portable system that measures brain […]

In this project, community pharmacists will help patients with type 2 diabetes to make dietary changes to reduce their consumption of carbohydrates while lowering or eliminating their need for costly diabetes medications. The results will help inform pharmacy practice and diabetes management and represent a novel treatment strategy placing pharmacists as key integrators of lifestyle […]