Newsroom

For media enquiries or more information about research at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, please contact Emily Wight, Communications Manager.

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A community of people putting pieces of a puzzle together.
Living with Dystonia: Finding Hope through Community Sep 20, 2019

Jackson Mooney’s journey with dystonia began with a diagnosis before he'd recognized the symptoms.

“I had had a C5 nerve root for which I was referred to a neurologist. While he examined me, he asked why my head turned when I closed my eyes,” said Mooney. “He immediately referred me to the Movement Disorder (MD) Clinic at the Glenrose Hospital in Edmonton.”

Mooney’s symptoms appeared gradually, progressing over 15 years until 400 units of prescribed neurotoxin was no longer sufficient to provide relief.

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A boy in kindergarten drawing with a friend.
Surrey-Vancouver kindergarten curriculum trial improved student success and reduced teacher burnout Sep 17, 2019

A kindergarten program emphasizing more play, hands-on learning, and students helping one another has been shown to improve academic outcomes, self-control, and attention regulation, according to the results of a new study by Dr. Adele Diamond, published today in the journal PLoS One. The program also enhanced children’s joy in learning, teachers’ joy in teaching, and reduced bullying, peer ostracism, and teacher burnout.

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Dr. Yuan Ge, a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Ann Marie Craig's lab.
New clarity for role of protein-protein interaction in synaptic plasticity Sep 11, 2019

New research from Dr. Yu Tian Wang’s lab has revealed a novel role for a protein involved in AMPA receptor trafficking, but that also is important for synaptic plasticity. The protein, p97, requires balance to facilitate synaptic transmission; out of balance it blocks long-term potentiation (LTP), a function that strengthens synaptic transmission and neuronal communication.

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Dr. Jacqueline Quandt at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health.
Intranasal protein limits disability in models of MS Aug 27, 2019

Can a protein applied to the inside of the nose reduce inflammation in the central nervous system?

New research from Dr. Jacqueline Quandt’s laboratory suggests that intranasal administration of E-selectin, a type of protein that is expressed by blood vessel cells in an attempt to recruit immune cells, can bolster an immunosuppressive response in the body and calm inflammation in the brain in models of multiple sclerosis (MS).

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Dr. Weihong Song in his lab.
Newly discovered gene function may reduce cell death in Alzheimer disease and Down syndrome Aug 27, 2019

The discovery of a new role for a gene associated with neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders finds possible prenatal origin for Alzheimer disease (AD), according to a study published today in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.

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A group of older adults in group physical therapy.
FAME for NEUROFITNESS program at UBC clinic merges physical therapy and research Aug 23, 2019

A new UBC Physical Therapy & Research Clinic for people with neurological conditions has opened across the street from the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, offering people living with movement disorders, stroke, and multiple sclerosis (MS) access to a group exercise program tailored to their specific needs.

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Tariq Aziz, Laura Harvey, Dr. Rob Carruthers, and Jamie McDowell.
Member news: August 2019 Aug 21, 2019

Pictured: Tariq Aziz, Laura Harvey, Dr. Rob Carruthers, and Jamie McDowell join colleagues with the UBC MS & NMO Program in support of Burgers to Beat MS on August 22. Image credit: Michelle Eisner.

Congratulations

Dr. Wolfram Tetzlaff was reappointed as ICORD Director.

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Dr. Nick Weilinger.
Member news: July 2019 Jul 30, 2019

Pictured: Dr. Nick Weilinger (PI: Dr. Brian MacVicar), who won an award for best basic science poster at the Department of Psychiatry's annual Research Day in June. Image credit: Paul Joseph/UBC.

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Dr. Weihong Song and Dr. Yun Zhang.
Protein meant to protect cells may also serve as a biomarker for Alzheimer disease Jul 23, 2019

Pictured: Dr. Weihong Song (left) with Dr. Yun Zhang (right), co-first author on the paper described below. Image credit: Paul Joseph/UBC.

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Older man sleeping peacefully.
Resetting circadian rhythms can improve sleep quality in people at risk for dementia Jul 15, 2019

Can improving sleep quality protect older adults from cognitive decline? New research presented today at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) suggests that improving circadian regulation by “resetting” an individual’s biological clock can improve sleep quality in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

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