Research Focus
For over 30 years, our work in positron emission tomography (PET) research has had a major global impact in understanding brain chemistry, leading to better clinical treatment and drug development. We have significantly expanded our imaging capabilities into magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).
The Brain Health Imaging Centre houses:
- The Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry, its two cyclotrons and radiochemistry facilities
- The PET Centre and its two PET scanners
- The Preclinical Imaging Unit and its PET/MRI scanner.
Results You Can See
Our team at the Brain Health Imaging Centre have developed several imaging radiotracers used in PET brain research globally. Using these chemical brain imaging tools, our research has helped to more accurately calculate medication doses for depression and schizophrenia, identified targets for treatments of illnesses such as postpartum depression, and enabled academic centres and pharmaceutical companies to conduct more effective drug development.
We are also pursuing the development of radiotracers to discover chemical brain markers that could identify the risk of illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, traumatic brain injuries and their mental health consequences, autism spectrum disorder, suicide prevention, and addictions.
CAMH Brain Health Imaging Centre cyclotrons
CAMH is licensed by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to operate two cyclotrons at its College Street location. The cyclotrons are particle accelerators that produce the short-lived positron emitting radionuclides for Positron Emission Tomography (PET), a technique that allows imaging of the brain chemistry. For nearly three decades, CAMH has been a world leader in the application of cyclotrons and PET imaging to advance the understanding and improve the treatment of mental illnesses and addiction. Our discoveries are communicated to other scientists through scientific publications and conferences, and to the general public via the media and CAMH web site.
To ensure full public safety, the CAMH cyclotrons are enclosed in thick concrete bunkers to shield the public from the radiation they produce when they are in operation. Small amounts of airborne short-lived radioactive gases may be released from time to time from a vent located on the top of the building about 50 meters above ground, so that the gases are widely dispersed and diluted before reaching ground level. As a result, members of the public are exposed to only negligible short-lived radiation levels that are far below natural radiation levels and regulatory limits.
Public information
CAMH provides regular information to the public and specific stakeholders about the activities of its Brain Health Imaging Centre and their impact on the lives of individuals with mental illness or addictions. That information includes scientific and medical advances, funding announcements, and expansion of the program. CAMH also provides information related to the health and safety of persons living near the Brain Health Imaging Facility and to the environment.
View the full PET Centre Cyclotrons - Public Information and Disclosure Protocol
Contact Us
- PET and PET-CT studies: Alvina Ng (Alvina.Ng@camh.ca)
- PET protocols: Kimberly Desmond (Kimberly.Desmond@camh.ca)
- MRI studies: Anusha Ravichandran (Anusha.Ravichandran@camh.ca)
- Radiochemistry inquiries: Armando Garcia (Armando.Garcia@camh.ca)
- Preclinical Imaging: Junchao Tong (Junchao.Tong@camh.ca)
- Billing: Stephanie Seto (Stephanie.Seto@camh.ca)
