The Neurochemistry of Brain Rhythms: Alterations Affecting Attention and Motor Capacity in Parkinson’s Disease
Our latest study published in Brain uncovers the link between changes in brain rhythms and neuromelanin in the brainstem of patients with Parkinson’s disease. These findings were made possible thanks to the combination of neuromelanin-sensitive MRI with advanced magnetoencephalographic imaging (MEG), and the participation of dozens of engaged patient volunteers and healthy controls.
A Breakthrough in Sustainability at The Neuro’s MEG Unit
We are proud to share a major achievement from the MEG Unit at The Neuro. In response to soaring helium costs and global shortages, we installed a custom helium recovery system that significantly reduces waste and environmental impact. This new bespoke system cuts helium purchases by 90% and CO2 emissions by over 12 tons in the first year. This milestone, supported by contributions from the Brain Canada Foundation, McGill units, and dedicated researchers, ensures sustainable, reliable operations for groundbreaking neuroscience research.
Announcing Release 3 of The Open MEG Archives (OMEGA)
We're thrilled to announce the latest expansion of The Open MEG Archives (OMEGA). Dive into over 150 hours of task-free MEG recordings from 644 participants, including individuals with Parkinson’s disease, ADHD, chronic pain, and 444 healthy controls. This rich dataset also includes defaced structural MRI volumes and individual questionnaire data. Don't miss this opportunity to accelerate your neuroscience research!
Early brain activity changes in healthy adults, linked to Alzheimer’s proteins, predict cognitive decline.
In our new Nature Neuroscience study, we have discovered that early changes in brain activity respectively related to amyloid-beta and tau buildup can predict cognitive decline years before symptoms appear, offering hope for early detection of Alzheimer’s. The study also highlights the potential of short MEG scans to identify those at risk long before memory loss sets in.
A love letter to the human brain mapping community.
As Chair of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping Council, Sylvain shares his vision for fostering a thriving neuroimaging community. He emphasizes addressing challenges like economic disparities, environmental sustainability, and expanding the scope of brain mapping while encouraging global engagement of all members of the Organization.
The Neurochemical Landscape of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Our latest study investigates how changes in brain activity align with the distribution of neurotransmitters in Alzheimer’s disease. Published in open access by Alzheimer’s & Dementia, our research found that these changes are closely linked to areas rich in cholinergic receptors, which are also where amyloid-β plaques tend to accumulate. This alignment is connected to the severity of Alzheimer’s cognitive symptoms, offering new insights into potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.
Welcoming Dr Lindsey Power as new CIHR postdoctoral researcher.
Welcoming Dr. Lindsey Power as new CIHR postdoctoral fellow.
The brain-fingerprint of Parkinson’s disease.
Our lab publishes in the journal eBiomedicine, which is part of The Lancet group, a new study that reveals distinct patterns of brain activity that differentiate individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
Lab’s open science contributions recognized by two awards.
We are grateful for receiving two awards from the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute. Emma Lacoume was awarded the Open Science Launchpad Award, while Principal Investigator Sylvain Baillet received the Open Science Leadership Award, both from the Tanembaum Open Science Institute.
Jason receives Governor General’s Gold Medal.
👏 A huge congratulations to our lab graduate, Jason da Silva Castanheira, PhD, for his exceptional achievements at McGill University’s 2023-2024 convocation! Jason was honored with two prestigious awards, including the Governor General’s Gold Medal, recognizing top graduates across all disciplines.
Seven lab trainees receive awards to support their research work.
Congrats to seven of our lab members who were recently awarded graduate and postgraduate scholarships and fellowships to support their research work!
Max Levinson, PhD.
Congratulations to Dr Max Levinson on his successful PhD defense! We wish him the best as he embarks on his next research chapter at New York University.
Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS): a retrospective.
We are both happy and proud to have played a little part (MEG-BIDS) in this collective effort to promote collaboration and structured data sharing in neuroimaging research. New retrospective paper just published by MIT Press' Imaging Neuroscience.
Jason da Silva Castanheira graduates from his PhD.
Today, Jason brilliantly defended his PhD thesis in Neuroscience and became one new neuroSPEED PhD graduate!
Brain Changes in Parkinson's Disease: from Chemistry to Anatomy.
We publish in Annals of Neurology a new study that advances the fundamental understanding of Parkinson's disease beyond its motor symptoms. Our findings underscore the importance of considering the neurochemical organization of the cortex in the disease and its implications for treatment and management. As we continue to explore these complex relationships, we move closer to more targeted and effective therapies for PD patients.
Hard to focus!
We publish in Cerebral Cortex a new study in collaboration with Jérôme Sackur at Ecole Normale Supérieure (Paris) that explored how different types of attention interact in the brain.
We recorded brainwaves with EEG to study how involuntary attention (like a sudden sound grabbing your attention) can interrupt voluntary attention (like focusing on a task). Our findings shed light on the complex ways our brain juggles different attention processes, offering new insights into how our mind manages focus and distractions.
Brain and pain: a two-way street.
We publish in the journal PAIN reports a new study that advances the understanding of the complex and multifaceted brain signals that convey the perception of pain.
The Dual Nature of Brain Changes in Parkinson’s Disease.
When slow is not necessarily a low. We show in a new study just published in Progress in Neurobiology how a slowing of brain activity may be protective of brain functions in the natural history of Parkinson’s Disease.
Sylvain elected as Chair of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping.
Sylvain has been elected Chair of the Organization, which purpose is to advance the understanding of the anatomical and functional organization of the human brain, and to promote the medical and societal applications of brain imaging methods.
OHBM is the largest scholarly Society of the field, with several international Chapters, Special Interest Groups and an annual meeting gathering 3,000 attendees.
A point about AI-health research at McGill.
As Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sylvain gave a short interview about current AI & health research efforts at McGill University to the Temerty Centre for AI Research & Education in Medicine.