Brain and Nerves

The purpose of this study is to improve how we use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess new treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS) in the future, and to advance personalized care. Advanced MRI research involves gathering different sequences or images not typically collected on a routine clinical MRI. These images will allow the research team to specifically look at myelin in fine detail along with other measures of brain structure and overall brain health.

The purpose of the study is to determine whether a 26-week exercise training program or cognitive training program can improve sleep quality in stroke survivors who are experiencing poor sleep quality.

The purpose of this study is to compare two non-invasive neurostimulation techniques (ECT and MST) in the treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

The purpose of this study is to collect brain scans, blood samples, memory test scores and cerebrospinal fluid from people with Alzheimer's disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment or no memory impairment. The information collected in the study may help characterize the early stages of AD, and shape the criteria for earlier diagnosis and treatment of AD. It will also be used to discover, standardize and validate measures and biomarkers that are used in AD research. The ADNI4 study is a continuation of the ADNI3 study and will also open to enroll new participants.

The purpose of this study is to independently measure the annualized relapse rate (ARR) with administration of frexalimab compared to a daily oral dose of teriflunomide in male and female participants with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis who are 18 to 55 years of age at the time of enrollment. 

The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety and effectiveness of non-invasive transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TSCS) in conjunction with conventional rehabilitation in helping with the recovery of bladder function in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). The study team will assess immediate TSCS efficacy when the stimulation is turned on, as well as the persisting effects of TSCS (e.g. any changes in function) that remain after the stimulation is turned off and after several weeks of regular stimulation.

The purpose of this study is to identify gaps in health services and make recommendations for the development of high-quality and equitable systems of stroke care informed by young women stroke survivors' experiences.

To participate in this study, complete the online form.

The purpose of this study is to contribute to improving our understanding of functioning in psychosis. Memory is an important predictor of how well individuals affected by schizophrenia and related psychoses are able function in their social and occupational lives. However, the exact structures and functions in the brain responsible for this relationship are currently unknown.

The purpose of this study is to collect biospecimens (fecal, urine, blood) and clinical data to serve as a resource for future research on Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. The careful collection, storage and retrieval of biospecimens and medical information for research projects are critical for improving understanding of healthy development and disease mechanisms and the subsequent development of effective treatments. Biospecimens from this biobank will be made available for ethically-approved studies.

The purpose of this study is to develop a means, via a wearable sensor, to detect the subtle physiological changes that may occur before wearing off (WO) of a Parkinson's disease treatment called levodopa become consciously felt to allow for medication to be taken and absorbed in time to prevent the WO from occurring.

The purpose of this study is to: investigate the feasibility of using virtual reality (e.g. the Saebo-VR) after acquired brain injury to target activities; understand clinician opinions towards virtual reality technology who are working in adult brain injury rehabilitation; and understand the opinions of people with acquired brain injury who have used virtual reality technology.

The purpose of this study is to determine if a 26-week health coaching program can increase time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity and improve mobility compared with a 26-week group health education program in older adults with limited mobility.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of non-invasive transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TCSCS) on cardiovascular, bladder, bowel and sexual function in people with spinal cord injury. The study team is interested in the immediate, long-term and longer-term effects (eight weeks after cessation of therapy) of non-invasive stimulation on these functions.

The purpose of this study is to test whether a specific combination of biomarkers discovered during previous studies can help predict how someone experiencing a major depressive episode will respond to treatment. The study will also explore other possible biomarkers that may predict treatment response, which may help in the future development of tests that can guide treatment choice more effectively and more quickly.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the user-friendliness and trustworthiness of a website called My Guide Concussion – Teen Edition. B.C. and Yukon have limited medical resources for concussion management, so the My Guide Concussion – Teen Edition website was developed as an online concussion resource and self-management guide for adolescents recovering from concussion. The study will determine whether the website satisfies the needs of patients, caregivers and other stakeholders. Results of this study will inform revisions to the site to improve its usability and scalability.

The purpose of this study is to recruit volunteer patients and healthy individuals for the UBC Brain Biobank, a state-of-the-art facility located at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health. Participants will provide 25ml of blood to be collected at the time of recruitment. These specimens will be processed and stored for ethics-approved brain research purposes in the future. The UBC Brain Biobank will also request access to participants' clinical records, which will be securely stored in a limited-access database and will be shared with researchers in a de-identified manner.

The purpose of this study is to examine whether cannabidiol (also known as CBD) is effective in treating symptoms of depression in people diagnosed with bipolar disorder type I or II when added to their regular medications.

Recruitment Poster

The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of online navigational training on memory and the brain after a moderate or severe head injury.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of cannabis in people using recreational cannabis. This research will examine the cognitive and emotional effects of cannabis oil.

The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of different types of exercise training on cognitive function. Investigators aim to assess the individual effects of aerobic and resistance training, as well as the interaction effect of combining the two types of exercise training, on cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.