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The Neurochemistry of Brain Rhythms: Alterations Affecting Attention and Motor Capacity in Parkinson’s Disease
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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.

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A Breakthrough in Sustainability at The Neuro’s MEG Unit
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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.

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Announcing Release 3 of The Open MEG Archives (OMEGA)
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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!

Discover what's new in OMEGA Release 3 ➔

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Early brain activity changes in healthy adults, linked to Alzheimer’s proteins, predict cognitive decline.
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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.

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The Neurochemical Landscape of Alzheimer’s Disease.
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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.

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Jason receives Governor General’s Gold Medal.
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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.

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Max Levinson, PhD.
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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.

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Brain Changes in Parkinson's Disease: from Chemistry to Anatomy.
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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.

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Hard to focus!
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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.

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Sylvain elected as Chair of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping.
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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.

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