News & Media

September 2011
Recent News

Frederick Andermann and Michael Petrides elected to Royal Society of Canada
Two prominent Neuro faculty members, Dr. Frederick Andermann and Dr. Michael Petrides, are among the nine McGill professors elected Fellows in the Royal Society of Canada, Canada’s national academy of arts and sciences.

Academic physician Frederick Andermann, with a career that spans 50 years, is a world leader in the field of epilepsy. He is known for his original and thorough studies of epilepsy syndromes and other degenerative disorders. As an example of this work, Dr. Andermann and his wife, Eva Andermann, discovered that a devastating neurodegenerative disorder in the Saguenay and Charlevoix regions of Quebec was a familial disorder. Using this information, scientists developed a genetic test for the Andermann Syndrome, which led to a significant reduction in its impact on families in these communities and opened the door for studies of other neurodegenerative disorders in geographically isolated populations. Dr. Andermann is a highly regarded mentor and trained a whole generation of epileptologists who went on to establish epilepsy centres around the world. He is Professor of Pediatrics, and Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University, and Director of The Neuro’s Epilepsy Clinic and Research Unit.

Michael Petrides joined the Neuro faculty in 1979 and has been the Director of the Cognitive Neuroscience Unit since 1990. He was named a James McGill Professor in 2001 and holds a faculty appointment in the departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, and Psychology. Dr. Petrides’ research focuses on the function of the frontal and parietal cortex in cognitive activity. He is well respected by colleagues for his careful application and examination of animal model systems to understand how damage to the frontal cortex changes the ability to monitor self-generated, intentional actions. He also studies the action of single cells in this region of the brain to determine the specific neural activity that underlies the monitoring of working memory. Dr. Petrides was educated at the University of London and University of Cambridge and has been a Killam Scholar. He is also a Foreign Honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

BMO Financial Group donates funds for intra-operative imaging

With a gift of $500,000, the BMO Financial Group made it possible for The Neuro to acquire an O-arm, a vital intra-operative imaging tool. Using the O-arm, neurosurgeons are able to perform advanced surgical procedures with maximum precision, thus enhancing operating room efficiencies and improving overall patient outcomes. At a recent reception recognizing this gift, clinicians, researchers and others thanked Alan Desnoyer, BMO Vice-President for Downtown Montreal, for BMO’s support and on-going commitment as a lead corporate donor to The Neuro’s Thinking Ahead Campaign. Mr. Desnoyer and others heard from neurosurgeon Abbas Sadikot about the advances in the surgical treatment of Parkinson’s made possible with the O-arm and from Alain Dagher about the Parkinson’s research at the Neuro. All were moved by the testimony from a patient whose life was transformed by this surgical treatment.

Success for the IPN
The Integrated Program in Neuroscience (IPN), the largest graduate program in McGill’s Faculty of Medicine, has a good strategy for recruiting and retaining talented graduate students. Using funds available from The Neuro and McGill’s Graduate Faculty, the IPN, directed by Josephine Nalbantoglu, offers merit-based recruitment awards that range from $1500 to $10,000 to the best applicants. Creating a circle of success, these highly talented recruits often receive prestigious awards from external agencies and foundations. Returning students are also eligible for IPN awards, with 22 students benefitting this year. To make it possible for faculty to accept international students, the IPN also offsets the higher non-resident fees for these students, thus keeping the focus in each lab on talent and motivation, not costs. With 180 faculty members who train more than 300 graduate students, the IPN has an outstanding track record: every student graduates in a timely fashion, thus making room for new students to bring their energy and ideas into the labs. This academic year, IPN will welcome 95 new neuroscience graduate students.

Integrated Program in Neuroscience (IPN) Retreat, September 20-21
Neuroscience graduate students and faculty members from across campus gathered at the annual IPN retreat at the Centre Mount Royal on September 20 and 21. The event included poster presentations as well as talks by some of McGill’s neuroscientists. Roberto Malinow from the University of California at San Diego delivered the keynote lecture entitled Synapses in Health and Disease.

Neuro connections to Rhode Island Neuroscience Institute
Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University recently announced two key leadership appointments for the Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute (NPNI) with Neuro connections. G. Rees Cosgrove, MD, a former neurosurgical fellow at The Neuro will serve as Clinical Director and John Robson, former Associate Director of Scientific Affairs at The Neuro, as administrative director of the NPNI and the Brown Institute for Brain Science (BIBS). Modeled on The Neuro, Rhode Island Hospital launched the developmental phase of the NPNI in August 2010 with a $15 million gift from the Frederick Henry Prince 1932 Trust.

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Upcoming Lectures and Events

Killam Lectures Series

BIC Lecture Series

Neuroscience Nursing Conference, September 28
Clinical nurse specialists in adult and pediatric neurological diseases will discuss the biological and psychological aspects of these diseases as well as current treatment options and resources available for patients and their families at a full day conference on September 28. The conference, Impact of chronic neurological illness on patients and families, is designed for health care professionals working in community hospitals, CLSCs, rehabilitation and long term care facilities across Quebec. The conference is sponsored by the Canadian Association of Neuroscience Nurses and will be held at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital from 8 am to 3 pm. Presentations in French will address the holistic approach to multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, brain tumours, movement disorders and pediatric neurological diseases. Participants may attend in person or view the sessions via the MUHC TeleHealth network. For more information about the program and to register to attend, please see http://cann.ca/cann-qc-conference.pdf For information about how to receive the TeleHealth feed, please contact Martha Stewart

Reed Family and Tenaquip Foundation Gift Announcement, October 6
Faculty, staff and students are cordially invited to a gift announcement to recognize the Reed Family and the Tenaquip Foundation’s donation of $2 million. This transformational gift from the Reed Family is the largest gift received in Quebec in support of ALS research and patient care and is paving the way for exciting scientific and medical initiatives at The Neuro. The announcement will take place on Thursday October 6 at 10:00 in the de Grandpré Communications Centre. Please RSVP to Karen Mitchell karen.mitchell@mcgill.ca before September 30, 2011 T: 514 398-5785

Neuro Film Series, October 27
Blade Runner will be hosted by neuroscientist Philippe Séguéla on October 27. This 1982 science fiction depicts Los Angeles in 2019 when Harrison Ford, a burned out special police operative, takes one more assignment as a Blade Runner to hunt down genetically engineered humanoid robots. This cult classic is known for its advanced special effects and unique story twist.

The Neuro Film Series is open to all free of charge, with films shown at 6:30 pm in the Jeanne Timmins Amphitheatre at 3801 University Street. Movie snacks may be purchased on site. For more information, please visit www.neuroevents.mcgill.ca

Denis Melançon Lecture on Acute Stroke, October 13
Acute stroke is the topic of the Denis Melançon Lecture, which will be held in the Jeanne Timmins Amphitheatre on October 13. This full day of learning will feature presentations by residents and fellows from 9 to noon, and by clinical experts from 1 to 5:30 pm. Topics will include neurological, critical care, endovascular and surgical management of stroke; molecular imaging in sub-cortical stroke; and stroke prevention.
A continental breakfast and lunch will be offered and the day will close with a reception hosted by interventional neuroradiologist Donatella Tampieri who plans this annual conference. All are welcome but are asked to register with Deborah Rashcovsky.
More information about the program is at www.neuroevents.mcgill.ca

The 2011 Gairdner National Program Lecture, October 25
Dr. Jules Hoffman, 2011 Canada Gairdner Laureate from the Institut de biologie moleculaire et cellulaire, CNRS and University of Strasbourg, France, will deliver his lecture entitled ‘The Antimicrobial Host Defense Of Drosophila: A Paradigm For Innate Immunity’ as part of the 2011 Gairdner National Program. The lecture will take place on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 from 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. in the Jeanne Timmins Amphitheatre. A reception will follow.

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Community Connections

Golf Tournament for Spinal Surgery Program
Organizers Joe di Maulo and Fred de Francesco held a successful golf tournament at le Blainvillier on September 7^th to benefit Dr. Benoit Goulet’s Spinal Surgery Program. Thanks to passionate organizers and community support the tournament was a wonderful success! The event raised $64,650 for the program and helped to raise awareness about The Neuro amongst the community.

The Ataxia Of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) Foundation - raising funds and advancing research
The 5th Edition of the Dîner des producteurs [.pdf] for the Ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay Foundation will be held on Thursday November 24, 2011 at the Parquet, Caisse de Dépôt et placement du Québec, Montreal. This fundraising event (cocktail, wine tasting and dinner) will highlight the exceptional work of wine producer Laurent Drouhin (France) from the Maison Joseph Drouhin (Burgundy) along with the exceptional participation of the Maison Veuve Clicquot who will be offering their famous champagne. Grand Chef Anne-Sophie Pic, 3 star Michelin Chef (Lausanne, France) and the 2011 World's Best Woman Chef will prepare a gastronomic feast along with Grand Chef Normand Laprise, owner of Montreal’s Toqué restaurant.

The ARSACS Foundation is a family foundation that has raised funds for medical research at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital since 2006 in order to find a treatment for this infantile neurological disorder. For more information please contact: Sonia Gobeil, 514-939-6323

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Congratulations to ...

Marion Van Horn, in Ed Ruthazer’s lab, who was awarded a prestigious Banting Fellowship for her research on the role of glial cells in brain development.
http://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/news/item/?item_id=177385

Adele D’Amato, former assistant to the Chairman, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, who retired after 39 wonderful years at The Neuro. Adele was the source of vast institutional knowledge and experience on issues related to departmental business, residency training and more. Over the years, she was an invaluable assistant to clinicians, neurologists-in chief and chairmen including George Karpati, Francis McNaughton, Preston Robb, Joe Martin, Don Baxter, Jack Antel, Rick Riopelle and Lesley Fellows. Colleagues recently celebrated with Adele who is looking forward to spending time with her grandchild and to staying in touch with friends at the Neuro, McGill and beyond. To honor Adele, former residents and trainees established an educational fund in her name for neurology residents.

Don Baxter, neurologist and former Director of the Neuro, who celebrated his 85th birthday on August 24 while on holiday in Vermont.

A. Jean de Grandpré, member of The Neuro’s Advisory Board, former Chairman of the Montreal Neurological Hospital, former Chancellor of McGill University and Founding Director and Chairman Emeritus of BCE, who celebrated his 90th birthday on September 14th. The de Grandpré Communications Centre is named after Mr. de Grandpré and his family.

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Senior Management - Martine Alfonso; Mark Angle, MD; Phil Barker, PhD; Rob Dunn, PhD; Lucia Fabijan; Tom Gevas; Elizabeth Kofron, PhD; Catherine Rowe; Donatella Tampieri, MD
Neuro News: Elizabeth Kofron, PhD & Sandra McPherson, PhD

Please send any items for the Neuro News to Sandra McPherson or Beth Kofron.

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