About Krembil Brain Institute
Pioneering solutions in neuroregeneration at UHN.
Neurological disease and injury threaten our ability to think, move and live independently at every stage of life. From life‑altering spinal cord injuries to progressive neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, disorders of the brain and spine affect 3.6 million Canadians and cost a staggering $60 billion annually. These challenges demand urgent attention. The Krembil Brain Institute (KBI) at Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network (UHN), is meeting this moment with bold innovation, advancing discoveries in neurological disease, injury and regeneration, and translating them into better outcomes for patients.
THE SPINAL CORD
Leadership in spinal cord surgical care and innovative research has been showcased through groundbreaking clinical trials and the launch of the Peter Gilgan Program for Neuroregeneration Research. This program holds tremendous promise for advancing stem cell therapies aimed at restoring human function. In collaboration with John Ruffolo, this work has led to further breakthroughs in spinal cord research and care, including:
- Dr. Michael Fehlings determining the real impact of task-specific rehabilitation following neural stem cell-transplantation in the spine in regaining functional recovery. His lab is the first to determine the molecular genetic signature of the engrafted transplanted stem cells when combined with forelimb rehabilitation in the remodeling of lost neural networks.
- UHN being selected as Canada's first hospital to perform Neuralink implantation - a medical innovation milestone. Led by Dr. Andres Lozano, research of this brain-computer interface will assess how effectively patients with quadriplegia can control devices with their thoughts, potentially transforming treatment for those with severe mobility limitations.
NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS LIKE PARKINSON'S DISEASE
With the creation of the Wolfond-Krembil Chair for Parkinson’s Disease Research, UHN and the Krembil Brain Institute’s renowned team of neuroscientists are making world-first research discoveries in the diagnosis and future treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Their extraordinary efforts include:
- Identifying molecular therapeutic targets for the development of pharmacological treatments to slow the progression of Parkinson’s. Because no such disease-modifying therapies exist, Dr. Lorraine Kalia, Wolfond-Krembil Chair for Parkinson’s Disease Research is focusing on repurposing drugs to expedite the discovery of disease-modifying therapies for Parkinson’s disease; and using novel techniques (e.g. focused ultrasound) to allow for such drugs to cross the blood brain barrier and reach the identified targets in humans.
- An international team led by Dr. Anthony Lang introducing an exciting, biologically based model for classifying Parkinson's. Moving beyond traditional approaches to classification, the new "SynNeurGe" model could distinguish Parkinson's from other neurodegenerative conditions more accurately, leading to more personalized and effective treatments.
THE FEHLINGS LAB
Dr. Michael Fehlings leads an internationally recognized translational research lab focused on improving recovery after spinal cord injury. As one of the world’s most highly cited researchers in the spinal cord injury field, his team defined the secondary injury processes that worsen neurological damage and led a landmark trial demonstrating the importance of early surgical intervention. The lab is also advancing regenerative strategies, including neural stem cell therapies, helping drive discoveries from bench to bedside while training the next generation of leaders in spinal cord research.
THE KREMBIL BRAIN INSTITUTE (KBI)
Brain disorders constitute 25% of the burden on global health, more than cancer and heart disease. Home to one of the world’s largest teams of clinicians and neuroscientists, Krembil Brain Institute (KBI) specialists collaborate to improve brain health for the world. With over 3,600 research publications (2020-2024) supporting a uniquely interdisciplinary approach to brain disease, UHN provides care for patients with the most complex of brain and spine disease.
UHN is transforming brain health for the world. This can only happen by investing in research today for the care and cures we may benefit from tomorrow.
UHN'S KREMBIL BRAIN INSTITUTE AT A GLANCE:
- The largest combined clinical and research neurological facilities in North America
- Home to 300+ clinicians, surgeons and scientists and 100+ fellows and graduate trainees
- Home to 400+ nurses and other allied health professionals
- Provides 150,000+ outpatient clinic visits, 3,500+ in-patient clinic visits, and 3,000+ neurological procedures annually
- Research, care and educational programs cover a broad spectrum of brain and spine concerns, including stroke, concussion, movement disorders, epilepsy, aging and Alzheimer’s disease
Learn more about Krembil Brain Institute
