News & Media

September 2004

Dr. Colman delivered this speech at the Neuro Convocation on September 13, 2004.

On Our Birthday: This month marks the 70th anniversary of the opening of the doors of The Neuro, and it is thus a perfect time to reflect on the core philosophy that has guided and will continue to guide our activities over the next several decades. We should acknowledge our past, but more important, plan and invest in our future.

And what is that future? It is the best of times for The Neuro; we have participated in stunning advancements in science and medicine over the decades, and we will continue to concentrate the most talented neuroscientists and clinicians under our roof on University Street, and flourish there, capitalizing on the accomplishments and the inexorable momentum of these past seventy years.

In the earliest configuration of the plan for The Neuro - the famous sketch on the Biltmore Hotel stationery - Penfield envisioned a specialized clinical setting that would serve as the stimulus for highly innovative, rationally designed experiments and research. The Montreal Neurological Hospital would provide outstanding, consummately compassionate patient care, and would serve to provide source material for the development of new diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions. It would be a neurological, neurosurgical, and neuroscientific "proving ground." The fundamental raison d'etre for the Montreal Neurological Institute, with which the Hospital was to be seamlessly integrated, was the expansion of the sphere of knowledge in the Neurosciences. Ultimately, to learn how to treat the devastating diseases that affect the mind, Penfield said, we have to understand the mysteries of brain function at the very deepest levels.

We are always working towards this goal, and have been for 70 years. In this new century, our clinical work, our teaching, our scientific investigations, everything we do - must be outstanding, not merely excellent. Excellence, in this world, is cliché, and it is just not good enough. We cannot remain static - we must always be in a state of flux - constant renewal and regeneration. That is how we keep our edge.

That is how we will someday find ways to treat those that are untreatable now. New programs and new facilities will shape our future.

Over the next year or so, the global activities of The Neuro will expand. We will continue to recruit from around the world, and we will pursue critically important associations with sister neuroscience institutions in China, Japan, Brazil, and India. We will invest in a greatly expanded McConnell Brain Imaging Center, and develop new programs in NeuroEngineering and Brain Repair. We will build a new animal facility to accommodate the urgent needs of our researchers, and we will undertake much needed renovations of our hospital space. We will continue to provide the finest in clinical care, and foster outstanding neuroscience.

We will accomplish all of this by working with our most enthusiastic faculty, staff, students and fellows, the university and the MUHC, our government and foundation partners, and our private donors. This is an enviable partnership.

It is the best of times for The Neuro.

Please send any comments about the Director's Corner to david.colman@mcgill.ca

Convocation Celebration - Happy Birthday, Neuro!

The Neuro community gathered on September 13 for the Neuro Convocation and Lifetime Achievement Awards Ceremony. Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to: Dr. Gilles Bertrand (Presented by Dr. Andre Olivier), Professor Emeritus of Neurology and Neurosurgery; a master neurosurgeon who advanced surgical treatments and techniques and was instrumental in bringing the computer into the operating room. The inscription on his award reads: L’Institut et Hôpital neurologiques de Montréal confèrent par les présentes un Prix d’excellence à Gilles Guy Pierre Bertrand, O.C., M.D., F.R.C.S. Chirurgien novateur et mentor vénéré, son dévouement exceptionnel inspire toute la communauté du Neuro.

Dr. Warren Chippindale (Presented by Mr. Alex Paterson), former Chairman and Chief Executive Partner of Coopers & Lybrand, MNI Advisory Board member, a trusted advisor to three MNI Directors and successful Chair of all three of the Neuro’s capital campaigns. The inscription on his award reads: The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital hereby bestows upon Warren Chippindale, C.M., LL.D., F.C.A. a Lifetime Achievement Award. An enduring advocate and fund raiser supreme, his steadfast volunteer commitment incites generous philanthropy to the Neuro.

Dr. Brenda Milner (Presented by Dr. Michael Petrides), Dorothy J. Killam Professor of Neuropsychology, a pioneer of neuropsychology. The inscription on her award reads: The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital hereby bestows upon Brenda Milner, C.C., O.Q., Sc.D., LL.D., F.R.S. a Lifetime Achievement Award. An international giant for several generations and a true pioneer in the pursuit of knowledge, her mind and spirit lift the entire Neuro community to soaring heights.

Dr. Preston Robb (Presented by Dr. George Karpati), retired neurologist, a dedicated teacher and mentor, and pioneer in pediatric neurology. The inscription on his award reads: The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital hereby bestows upon J. Preston Robb, M.D.C.M. a Lifetime Achievement Award. A master clinician and charismatic teacher, his powerful example inspires all at the Neuro.

We were joined in this celebration of excellence and of the 70th anniversary of the opening of our historic building on University Street by many senior officials of McGill University and the MUHC, our donors, and MNI Advisory Board Members including M. Luc Beauregard, Chairman and CEO of National Public Relations, Inc. who graciously served as Master of Ceremonies.

Guest speakers included Nancy Wells, Vice-Principal Development and Alumni Relations, Dr. Abraham Fuks, Dean of Medicine and Dr. Arthur Porter, Executive Director of the MUHC and Dr. William Feindel who delivered a brief history of the Neuro in celebration of the 70th anniversary.

Financial Support for the Neuro

CIHR Grant Results Scientists at the Neuro continue to be successful in securing research grants from CIHR. Over one third of the applications from the Neuro were funded which was above the national funding rate.

Major Gift The Molson Foundation, a long time partner of the MNI, has just announced gift of $1,000,000 to the Montreal Consortium for Brain Imaging Research Project, known as MCBIR. This project, without precedent in Canada, will allow a large community of brain imaging researchers to acquire and utilize new scanning technologies. We expect that these researchers, with the best tools available, will make important contributions to the study of the brain and to understanding neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Developments at the MUHC

Dr. Mark Angle, Chief of Neuro-anaesthesia at The Neuro, was appointed Chairman of the MUHC Mountain Site Task Force by Dr. Arthur Porter, Executive Director of the MUHC. On September 15, Dr. Angle and Dr. Tim Meagher, Department of Medicine and Chair of the MUHC Glen Site Task Force, held a public meeting on the developing plans for the two planned MUHC sites. The Neuro on University Street is part of the MUHC Mountain Site. Dr. Angle will keep the Neuro community up to date on developments.

Upcoming Events

MNI Golf Tournament The Sixth Annual MNI Golf Tournament will take place at the magnificent Royal Montreal Club on October 4. This wonderful, day long event is supported by generous sponsors who provide lunch, dinner, snacks and beverages throughout the day and offer many appealing items in a silent auction. Golfers include friends of the Neuro as well as scientists and clinicians. If you are interested in playing ($625/ player) or attending the post match dinner, contact Véronique Geoffrion at the Neuro Development Office, 398-2274.

Neuro Scientific Retreat this Winter

The Frontiers of Neuroscience meeting will be held again at Club Tremblant on February 4-6, 2005. The theme will be Neurodegenerative Diseases and Epilepsy. MNI faculty should hold this date for our annual scientific retreat.

Upcoming Lectures

(All lectures are posted on the MNI website)

Neuroscience of Substance Dependence A conference and discussion of the World Health Organization’s Report on the Neuroscience of Substance Dependence will be presented by its principal editor, Dr. Franco Vaccarino, Executive Vice-President (Programs) of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and by Dr. Rémi Quirion, Scientific Director of the Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The conference will be on September 27 from 2-4 pm in the Jeanne Timmins Amphitheatre at the Montreal Neurological Institute. This conference is open to all and no registration is required. The conference will be presented in English.

Student Seminar Series Starts October 1

The Neuro’s Graduate Student Association will host a Student Seminar Series every other Friday at Noon, beginning October 1. Each seminar will feature two graduate students or post doctoral fellows from the many research groups at the Neuro who will present their research as a way to increase scientific and personal connections within the Neuro. All are welcome to attend these nourishing sessions.

McGill Neurology Conferences

These weekly, one hour Friday morning lectures are at 8:30 am, rotate among the MUHC hospitals and feature prominent speakers on clinical topics in Neurology. There will be no lecture on September 24 due to Yom Kippur observations. Conferences will resume in October.

Killam Seminar Series The Killam Seminar Series brings prominent guests, with expertise in any field of neuroscience, to speak at the Neuro. These seminars take place each Tuesday at 4 pm in the de Grandpre Centre.

The schedule of speakers and seminar titles can be viewed on the MNI website (link to website).

The first Killam Seminar will be September 28: “The Green Glow of GABA:Inhibitory Neurons and Circuits in the Cerebral Cortex” by Dr. Aric Agmon from the Department of Anatomy, West Virginia University.

Named Lectures

There are many named lectureships at the Neuro throughout the year, with fall being an especially busy time for these prestigious events.

Please mark you calendar for these upcoming lectures which feature our most prominent guests:

October 12 Dorothy J. Killam Lecture 'Leadership: McGill in a new century' Principal Heather Munroe-Blum will deliver the inaugural Dorothy Killam Lecture at 4:30 pm in the Jeanne Timmins Amphitheatre.

October 18 Hughlings Jackson Lecture/Gairdner Foundation Lecture 'Humanity's Genes' Dr. Sydney Brenner, winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine, 2002, and Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies will deliver this lecture in partnership with the Gairdner Foundation Program.

NOTE: This lecture will be at 4:30 pm at the Centre Mont-Royal (2200 Mansfield) as part of the Gairdner Foundation Program (full program starts at 2:00 pm).

November 18 Wilder Penfield Lecture 'My Body Has a Mind of Its Own' Dr. Daniel C. Dennett, Director, Center for Cognitive Studies and Professor of Philosophy at Tufts University will deliver this lecture.

November 26 Francis McNaughton Lecture Dr. Michael Rudnicki of the Department of Biology at McMaster University.

December 6 Thomas Willis Lecture Dr. Nikos Logothetis from the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Tubingen, Germany.

Neuro Fellowships

Jeanne Timmins Costello (JTC) and Preston Robb Fellowships MNI faculty can sponsor candidates for one of five Postdoctoral Fellowships (annual award of $25K each). The four JTC Fellowships are open to candidates with MD and PhD degrees. The Preston Robb Fellowship is for an MD who has completed residency training. Application deadlines are Oct 15. Details and application forms are on the web at: http://www.mni.mcgill.ca/MNIfellowships.html

NEURO Photography Competition

The Friends of the Neuro announces the Second Kay Rasmussen Photography Competition. Employees of the MNH and MNI are invited to submit entries of 2 photos per contestant to Mary Evangelinelis, Rm 156 in an envelope marked “Photography Competition”. Photos may be 8x10 or 5x7 and winning photos will be mounted for display in the hospital. Deadline for submissions is November 30, 2004 with winners announced in January, 2005.

Special Thanks to … John Stewart, former Director of Neurological Services at the Neuro, whose areas of expertise include focal peripheral neuropathies, generalized peripheral neuropathies and testing peripheral nerve function. John began his career at McGill as a resident at the Neuro in 1978 and treated his patients with great care. He participated fully in the life of the Neuro, and among other talents, sang in the Neuro Choir. In August, Dr. Stewart relocated to North Vancouver, BC in order to be closer to his family. He can be reached at the email address: john.stewart@mcgill.ca.

Congratulations to …

The nurses and other professionals who were recognized for their dedication and caring service as awardees at the May, 2004, Awards for Excellence ceremony at the Montreal Neurological Hospital. The awardees included: Colombe Duclos, Elvio Forte, Isabelle Sansoucy, and Cesar Umali. The nurses who were awarded bursaries at the event included: Lin Pei-Yu, Line Pharand, Melissa Phénix, and Rick Sanchez.

Victor Epp whose book "Cogitations of an Urban Hermit" was recently published by Trafford Publishing. Based on a lifetime of thoughts and events, the book is available through http://www.trafford.com/robots/04-0091.html#goto1