Our Research Focus and Projects

The Temerty Centre is a clinical and research centre, welcoming participants into clinical treatment trials, as well as neurophysiology (physiology of the nervous system) studies. Participants require a doctor’s referral to the Temerty Centre. Participants will be screened to determine eligibility for participation in any of the current clinical trials and/or neurophysiological studies.

Through the Canadian rTMS Treatment and Biomarker Network in Depression (CARTBIND) trial, we are identifying biomarkers of response to rTMS for people with treatment-resistant depression in hopes of ultimately personalizing and predicting treatment response.

In our Neuroimaging Predictors of Response to rTMS in Late-Life Depression study, we are exploring whether patterned bursts of rTMS–or theta-burst stimulation–is as effective as standard rTMS in treating older adults with depression. Our findings could achieve substantial improvements in both clinical capacity and treatment cost by reducing treatment time.

Efficacy and Biological Targets of Response to rTMS Therapy in Untreated Youth Depression is the first study to examine the effectiveness of a brief rTMS treatment in youth diagnosed with depression who do not respond to or are unable to tolerate antidepressants. The study could lead to more personalized treatments for youth depression.

We are evaluating the safety and efficacy of deep transcranial magnetic stimulation in treating posttraumatic stress disorder. Many people with PTSD don’t respond to current treatments, which rely on medications and psychological measures. Deep TMS may provide a safe and effective treatment for this population.

We are evaluating the effects of rTMS on memory deficits in people with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. This study could lead to promising new treatments that could improve quality of life and functioning for this population.

We are working to assess and enhance brain function and working memory in people with mild Alzheimer's disease, the number one cause of dementia. Using the Paired Associative Stimulation paradigm to measure brain activity and high-frequency rTMS, we hope to develop effective, targeted and safer interventions to prevent or cure dementia.

We are testing the effect of rTMS on cannabis dependence and working memory deficits in people with early psychosis. Working memory deficits have been shown to predict relapse in the first-year of psychosis and is affected by cannabis use. Findings from this study will help us better understand rTMS’ effects on this population and could lead to a new treatment for people with early psychosis who are trying to abstain from cannabis use.

We are identifying biomarkers for major depressive disorder so we can develop better medications. Traditional antidepressants don’t work for half the people with this illness. By understanding how antidepressants alter certain brain activities, we’ll then be able to develop personalized and targeted treatments.

We are combining brain imaging and neural stimulation to examine the cognitive difficulties experienced by people with schizophrenia. This work will contribute to the development of new treatments for people with schizophrenia.

We are measuring the functioning of cholinergic neurons in the prefrontal cortex, a specific area of the brain more closely related to memory and cognitive deterioration in Alzheimer’s disease, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. This work will allow us to learn more about how these neurons affect memory and cognition early in the course of Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia.

We are evaluating neuroplasticity changes in adults with Asperger syndrome. To our knowledge, this is the first study exploring whether rTMS treatments—including theta-burst stimulation—can correct abnormal neuroplasticity in individuals with Asperger. The findings will help us better understand the brain mechanisms involved in autism spectrum disorder and could also stimulate future research in developing effective brain stimulation treatments for this population.

We are testing magnetic seizure therapy (MST) as an alternative to ECT for treatment-resistant depression, schizophrenia and OCD in an open-label fashion. Response rates, cognitive implications of the treatment and several neurobiological variables are being observed to enhance understanding of treatment response.

In an international, multi-site trial that also includes the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas, we are comparing MST to ECT in patients with treatment-resistant depression. This study could have a transformative real-world impact in the care and management of depression. Enrolment is expected to start in April 2018.

We are testing MST as a treatment for suicidal ideation and treatment-resistant depression in people with borderline personality disorder. Participants choose either MST-only treatment or MST combined with dialectical behaviour therapy.

Other planned projects include a comparison of MST to ECT in treating bipolar depression. Based at three academic institutions in Canada (CAMH, Parkwood Institute in London and UBC Hospital in Vancouver), the trial will assess the efficacy and cognitive adverse effects of MST compared to a form of ECT. It’s hoped the trial expands our knowledge about the efficacy of various convulsive therapies for people with bipolar depression.

We are also planning a comparison of the efficacy of three convulsive therapies in maintaining response or remission from treatment-resistant depression, as well as their cognitive adverse effects and tolerability.