Medical Neuroscience Seminar
Title: HYPOXIA MEDIATES N-MEHTYL-D-ASPARTATE SIGNALING RELATED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
Speaker: Jamil Muradov, PhD Candidate, Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University
Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm
Location: Theatre C, Tupper Building
Description: Cortical spreading depolarizations (CSDs) are an early hallmark of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and are associated with poor clinical outcomes, yet their underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that post-traumatic hypoxia promotes CSDs and impairs neurovascular responses. This study examined how hypoxia and CSDs affect neurobehavioral outcomes post-TBI and evaluated the effects of NMDA receptor antagonists as potential therapeutics.
Using an animal model of single moderate TBI (N=67), I assessed outcome variability. TBI impaired neurological scores at 48 h post-impact (p<0.0001) and disrupted the neurovascular response to CSDs. Behavioral scores showed a bimodal distribution (R²=0.88; trough=7.01), categorizing animals into “susceptible” and “resilient” groups. Susceptible animals exhibited early cardiorespiratory dysfunction (lower HR and SpO₂ at hind paw and neck; p=0.02, p<0.001, p=0.01) and a significantly reduced neurovascular response to triggered CSDs, along with prolonged post-CSD oligemia.
To explore the relationship between hypoxia and CSDs, I used epidural electrodes and cranial window surgery. Animals that developed CSDs had lower mean SpO₂ (83.6%) compared to those that did not (92.2%). The co-occurrence of CSDs and hypoxia significantly altered the neurovascular response, with a 16% reduction in cerebral blood flow during the expected hyperemic phase, suggesting potential hypoperfusion and ischemia.
I also studied CSD-induced vascular responses in resilient vs. susceptible animals under hypoxia or following NMDA receptor antagonist treatment. Memantine reduced CSD incidence by 42–73% and mitigated cortical hypoperfusion. In a randomized pre-clinical trial, memantine treatment improved behavioral outcomes and preserved neurovascular function. This multi-modal investigation identified post-impact hypoxia as a key driver of CSDs and demonstrated that hypoxia and CSDs synergistically impair neurovascular regulation. Targeting these processes through oxygen support and NMDA receptor antagonism prevented secondary injury and improved outcomes. These findings may inform mechanism-based strategies for mitigating TBI susceptibility across injury severities.
G7 Brain Economy Summit
In 2025, under Canada’s leadership, the G7 has an unprecedented opportunity and responsibility to place brain health and brain skills at the heart of global economic strategy. The economy runs on “brain capital”, the combined power of brain health and cognitive skills. Yet, it remains largely absent from major policy discussions. At a time of workforce disruptions, AI-driven change, and demographic shifts, our economies depend on healthy brains, cognitive skills, and emotional resilience. It’s time to recognize the brain as an economic priority.
Medical Neuroscience Seminar
Title:
Speaker: Laith AlHadeed, MSc Candidate, Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University
Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm
Location: Theatre C, Tupper Building
Description:
Northwood 13th Annual Research Symposium
Northwood Research Symposium - Innovating Care, Empowering Lives
Northwood’s 13th Annual Research Symposium – a day of innovative discoveries and thought-provoking conversation! Agenda and Ticket info at: Eventbrite
ComSciCon Canada Workshop
Are you interested in strengthening your ability to communicate your science to non-specialist audiences?
Would you like to meet other graduate students across the country who are passionate about science communication?
Do you want to network with professionals to explore science communication in all its facets?
This is your opportunity!
ComSciCon is a series of workshops focused on enhancing communication skills and fostering an inclusive community that can effectively communicate scientific information to academic and non-academic audiences. Created in 2013 by graduate students at Harvard University and MIT, over 2000 graduate students have now benefited from learning the skills needed to communicate complex concepts within science, engineering and other technical fields to reach broader and more diverse audiences. ComSciCon has now come to Canada to empower the next generation of leaders in STEM fields across the country.
This year, ComSciCon Canada will be holding a National Workshop (ComSciConCAN) from June 27th to 29th at McMaster University. The conference is offered at a low cost for selected attendees.
The application deadline is Monday, Feb 10th, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST and the application form is available here:
https://bit.ly/ComSciConApp2025
For more information, please refer to our website (http://www.comsciconcanada.org/) or contact us directly at our email address below.
ComSciConCAN organizing committee
contact@comsciconcanada.org
X (formerly Twitter): @ComSciConCAN
Instagram: @ComSciConCAN
Annual Memorial and Interment Services for the Donors to Medical Science
Annual Memorial and Interment Services for the Donors to Medical Science
Nova Scotia
Saturday July 05, 2025
Interment Service – 11:00 AM
Dalhousie Memorial Gardens
593 Sackville Drive, Lower Sackville
Memorial Service – 2:30PM
Rebecca Cohen Auditorium
6101 Univeristy Avenue, Halifax
New Brunswick
Friday May 02, 2025
Memorial Service – 4:30 PM
Quispamsis United Church
372 Hampton Road
Quispamsis, NB
We wish to extend an invitation to you and your staff to attend the Annual Interment and Memorial Services to be held in recognition of the contribution that is made to our teaching and research programs and to pay thanks and gratitude to the families and friends of the individuals who have donated their bodies for the Advancment of Medical Education and Research at Dalhousie Universty
WESTERN Conference on Science Education
WCSE 2025 is July 16–July 18, 2025.
Sustainable Learning
There has been a lot of rapid change in education over recent years. As a result, we have had to adapt and evolve to support students. These changes have come with increased administrative workload and pressure on educators—all during a time of fiscal instability for post-secondary institutions. WCSE 2025 invites you to think about moving forward in a sustainable way in this ever-changing landscape.
Many educators are commenting on a lack of time and space to engage in professional development—such as attending conferences. WCSE is structured to simultaneously support learning and development, while providing space for reflection and design of your teaching; the goal is for you to leave the conference with ideas and resources that are ready to put into practice. For 2025, WCSE has a new program element that specifically invites participants to share strategies to address the drains on your time and energy.
Sustainable learning will mean something different to each of us. At WCSE, we are defining it as efficient and effective ways of furthering quality science education while prioritizing our own well-being. Therefore, we invite proposals that support this initiative. Of course, WCSE has always had the philosophy that all individuals engaged in science education—whether as students, educators, technical staff, and education-oriented private sector partners—as well as all topics related to teaching and learning science are welcome.
The social program will be begin in the evening of Tuesday, July 15 as we gather for a "mixer" event on Western University campus (London, ON, Canada). The academic program will begin on Wednesday morning and run until early afternoon on Friday. If you would like to keep informed of important updates and future WCSEs, send a message to wcse@uwo.ca to be added to our mailing list.
For the program and more information: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/wcse
World Brain Day
World Brain Day is an annual event observed on July 22, aimed at promoting awareness and education for neurological disorders that affect individuals worldwide.
Brain Health for All Ages
By Tissa Wijeratne, OAM MD, PhD & David Dodick, MD
Co-Chairs, World Brain Day 2024
Wolfgang Grisold, MD
President, World Federation of Neurology
World Brain Day 2025 is a global campaign devoted to promoting brain health for all ages. The vision for WBD2025 is to work collaboratively with UN ECOSOC and the WHO Brain Health Unit, making this initiative a historic milestone in establishing brain health as a universally recognized priority.
Aligned with the Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP) for Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders (2022–2031) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this year’s campaign seeks to advance a comprehensive and practical strategy that integrates regional insights and fosters sustainable change worldwide. We firmly believe that brain health is essential for individual well-being and for societal progress.
World Brain Day 2025 on Brain Health for all ages is structured around five key messages for action:
Awareness: We aim to elevate the global conversation on brain health by combating stigma and promoting the early recognition of neurological disorders.
Education: Empowering healthcare professionals, caregivers, and the public with the latest scientific knowledge and practical training is vital for advancing brain health initiatives.
Prevention: Our strategy emphasizes evidence-based measures such as early childhood nutrition, vaccination, hypertension control, and lifestyle modifications to reduce risk factors.
Access to Care and Disability Management: It is imperative to ensure that high-quality neurological care, rehabilitation services, and assistive technologies are accessible and affordable, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Advocacy: By driving policy change, increasing research funding, and strengthening healthcare infrastructure, we can reduce the global burden of neurological disorders.
Pyschology & Neuroscience Seminar:
Title: Neural Stem Cells for Spinal Cord Injury
Speaker: Dr. Mark H. Tuszynsk, Distinguished Professor of Neurosciences and Director of the UCSD Translational Neuroscience Institute at the University of California-San Diego
Date: Monday, July 28, 2025
Time: 11:30am – 1:00 pm
Location: LSC, Rm # P4260
Host: Dept. of Psychology and Neuroscience
Description: We have been developing a neural stem cell treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI) in which early stage neural stem cells (NSCs) are grafted into spinal cord lesion sites to form new neural relays across the lesion: transected host axons regenerate into a neural stem cell graft implanted into the lesion site, and form synapses; in turn, grafted neurons extend axons out from the lesion site and into the distal host spinal cord and synapse onto host neurons. This circuitry establishes poly-synaptic relays across the lesion (Lu et al, Cell 2012; Kadoya et al, Nat Med 2016; Rosenzweig et al, Nat Med 2018; Kumamaru et al, Nat Meth 2018; Koffler et al, Nat Med 2019; Poplawski et al, Nature 2020; Ceto et al, Cell Stem Cell 2020; Sinopoulou et al, Neuron 2022; Sinopoulou Nat Biotech 2025). Key to this approach is the creation of a human neural stem cell line of spinal cord identity, H9-scNSCs, derived from the H9 embryonic stem cell line (Kumamaru et al, Nat Meth 2018). This talk will review efficacy and safety data regarding this line of work in rodent and primate models of SCI. Recently we found that grafts of H9- scNSCs restore 50% of skilled hand use after unilateral C7 SCI in non-human primates, compared to only 5% recovery in lesioned controls (P < 0.001). This program is undergoing preparation for initiation of human clinical trials.
Alzheimer’s Disease International Forum (AAIC)
Join distinguished researchers, clinicians and dementia professionals at the largest international conference on dementia research. Share theories, breakthroughs and best practices while exploring opportunities to accelerate your work and elevate your career.
Abstract submissions open in December.
Registration opens in March.
https://aaic.alz.org
PS. The top five winners of the 2024 International Brain Bee (including Canada’s Lisa Wei), will be participating in the second IBB NextGen event to be hosted at this conference.
MS BIKE 2025
FOR MORE INFORMATION, to register or donate, visit msspbike.donordrive.com or
CONTACT Melanie Bennett: melanie.bennett@mscanada.ca | 902-496-5874
Computation and Cognition Conference 2025
The Computation and Cognition conference provides a forum for researchers in cognitive science, neuroscience, and AI, focused on understanding the computations that underlie behaviour. Our goal is to deepen and strengthen the interactions between our disciplines, and to discover the ways in which each research community can benefit from the successes of others.
Poster abstract submission deadline: July 15
Info at: https://computationandcognition.github.io/
Dal Innovation Week
Last year’s inaugural Dal Innovation Week brought together over 1,500 students, faculty, and business leaders for 15 innovation-focused events, supported by 30 partner organizations. It was the largest student-driven innovation showcase in Atlantic Canada.
This year, we’re raising the bar.
Led by Dal Innovates, Dal Innovation Week celebrates the bold ideas, ventures, and breakthroughs emerging across campus. It's a spotlight on the creativity and energy driving Dalhousie’s entrepreneurship and innovation community.
What to expect:
Pitch competitions and hackathons that put ideas to the test
Innovation workshops and more to spark creativity and collaboration
Volunteer and networking opportunities
Opportunities to collaborate with like-minded innovators
Check out our website to discover the exciting opportunities ahead and find out how you can get involved. Big announcements are coming soon—don’t miss out!
SCAPPS 2025 Conference
SCAPPS is the National organization for researchers and students in motor learning and control and sport/exercise psychology. https://www.scapps.org/. The motor control and learning arm of the conference focuses on behaviour and neuroimaging work in humans, mainly focusing on basic research but with some clinical/applied sport focus as well.
More details coming soon
CSPC 2025
17th Canadian Science Policy Conference
Toward a resilient future for Canada: Mobilizing science, knowledge and innovation
SEIZE THE DAY! - EPILEPSY RUN / WALK
In partnership with the Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes, Saltbox presents:
"Seize The Day!" where participants can run 5km or walk 3km in support of individuals and families affected by epilepsy. Fundraising will kick-off with the run / walk and will continue throughout the day with various events at Saltbox! Come check out the run / walk route, music, food & drink!
All funds raised will support counselling and service navigation support, advocacy, education opportunities, scholarship opportunities and ongoing epilepsy-related resources for those in need.
Sign-in at 10 am , run / walk leaves at 11am.
Thesis Defence
PHD Thesis Defence
JAMIL MURADOV, Department of Medical Neuroscience
Thesis Title: : HYPOXIA MEDIATES N-MEHTYL-D-ASPARTATE SIGNALING RELATED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
Date: June 4th 2025
Time: 9:30am
Location: 31017, Mona Campbell
Annual Flag Raising Ceremony (BIANS)
Brain Injury Association of Nova Scotia (BIANS)
Annual Flag Raising Ceremony,
to mark the beginning of Brain Injury Awareness Month.
Medical Neuroscience Seminar
Title: Neuroprotection
Speaker: Dr. Jamie Hutchison, Staff Physician, Division of Pediatric Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa. Adjunct Scientist, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Program, SickKids Research Institute and Honorary Staff Physician, Department of Critical Care Medicine, SickKids, Toronto. Professor of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto.
Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm
Location: Theatre C, Tupper Building
Our Future is Aging: Multidisciplinary Research Informing People, Policy & Practice
Presented by Nova Scotia Centre on Aging, the “Our Future is Aging” conference is on June 3-4, 2025!
This conference builds on the success of the 2012 and 2016 conferences and will be a valuable opportunity to revitalize relationships, networks and connections, to understand who is working on research on aging and to discuss existing collaborations in research on aging and foster new ones.
Researchers, trainees, decision makers, practitioners won’t want to miss this conference which will showcase research on aging from a diversity of perspectives, disciplines and approaches which address issues and opportunities of an aging population.
The conference will offer high caliber key note speakers, concurrent oral and poster sessions and interactive workshops.
More details at: https://www.ourfutureisaging.ca
A Fireside Chat . . . Aging Is Our Future: Navigating the Next 50 Years
A Fireside Chat… Aging Is Our Future: Navigating the Next 50 Years
Monday, June 2, 2025
6:30-8:30 pm
REGISTRATION OPEN
In Person: Multi-Purpose Room, 3rd Floor, Rosaria Student Centre, Mount Saint Vincent University. Click here to register for in-person.
Virtual livestreaming. Click here to register for virtual livestreaming.
Join us for a thought-provoking discussion about the realities facing today’s and tomorrow’s generation of older adults – the fact that we are living longer. This is a good news story as a society but what does it mean for older adults, our communities, the labour force, our health care system?
Status quo is inadequate for creating healthy longevity. Transformative thinking is needed by individuals, organizations and governments to ensure we are living healthy for longer. How we view older adults, how we prepare for a longer life (socially and financially), and our approach to health care all need to be challenged.
Our top-notch influential thinkers will raise much needed awareness about this important topic leaving us better positioned to navigate the next 50 years.
This is a discussion you won’t want to miss!
This event is FREE but registration is required.
Guest Speaker – Margaret Gillis, President, International Longevity Centre (ILC) Canada
Co-President ILC Global Alliance
“Ambassador” Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario
Margaret Gillis is founding President of International Longevity Centre Canada, a leading-edge policy shaper working to identify ways through which older adults can lead healthy, fulfilling and active lives. She is also Co-President of the International Longevity Centre Global Alliance, which is an alliance of 16 centres around the world dedicated to the needs of older people. Closer to home, Ms. Gillis is an “Community Ambassador” for Elder Abuse Awareness Ontario, an organization providing education, training and information on elder abuse.
An award winning executive and innovative leader, Margaret Gillis played a key role in establishing the Age-friendly Community program in Canada and internationally. Other career highlights include the establishment of the “Canadian Coalition Against Ageism” a nation-wide social change movement to combat ageism.
Margaret Gillis has strong credentials in regard to human rights, working with and speaking at the UN General Assembly on behalf of older people. She has been actively working for a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons in Canada and internationally. With a background in health promotion, protection and programming, Ms. Gillis is committed to improving the rights of older people.
Moderator – Anne Martin-Matthews
Professor Emerita of Sociology
The University of British Columbia
Anne Martin-Matthews has focused her career on issues of aging and social gerontology. Born in Newfoundland, she holds a PhD in Sociology from McMaster University, and has served on the faculty of the University of Guelph (1978-1997) and The University of British Columbia (1998-2023).
Her publications include two books, Aging and Caring at the Intersection of Work and Home Life: Blurring the Boundaries; Widowhood in Later Life; three edited volumes (on methodology; policy development; and Canadian gerontology in international context); and numerous journal articles and chapters on health and social care, aging and social support, work-family balance, and rural aging. She is a past President of the Research Committee on Aging of the International Sociological Association. A former Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal on Aging, she is currently a member of the editorial board of Ageing and Society (UK). Anne has received numerous awards and recognition for her mentoring of students in the study of aging.
In addition to her extensive academic career, Anne has held leadership positions and advisory roles at provincial and national levels. She completed two terms (2004-2011) as Scientific Director of the Institute of Aging, of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Under her leadership, the Institute of Aging led the development of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), a 20-year study of 50,000 Canadians aged 45-85. In recognition of her contributions in advancing research on aging, Anne was inducted as an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2018.
This public event is made possible by:
Dr. F.R. MacKinnon Endowment Fund, Mount Saint Vincent University
NS Department of Seniors and Long-term Care
ALS Walk Strong 2025
ALS NBNS are thrilled to announce that their annual Walk Strong event will be returning this June! Mark your calendars and get ready for a season filled with hope, connection, and powerful stories!
Stay tuned over the coming weeks as they reveal more details about the walks, special guests, and ways you can get involved.
Follow ALS NBNS on Facebook for details and updates.
Medical Neuroscience Seminar
Title: Using human iPSC derived motor neurons to model ALS and the neuromuscular junction
Speaker: Jack Guthrie, PhD Candidate, Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University
Date: Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm
Location: Theatre C, Tupper Building
Description: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by neuromuscular junction (NMJ) dysfunction and motor neuron death. There is currently no cure and treatment options are limited, making it essential to develop appropriate model systems to study the disease. Multiple in vitro model systems using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from ALS patients have been used to study the pathophysiology of motor neurons during disease progression. However, few in vitro studies have examined NMJ function. It is important to study the NMJ in ALS as its dysfunction is an early pathognomonic characteristic of the disease. This seminar explores our work using iPSC derived motor neurons as a model to study ALS. Additionally, I will present a novel technique to study neuromuscular junction formation and function in vitro using iPSC derived motor neurons.
2025 Halifax MS Walk
For information on registration, fundraising for HALIFAX go to MSWalk website or contact
Melanie Bennett: melanie.bennett@mscanada.ca | 902-496-5874
CAN 2025
18th Canadian Neuroscience Meeting
The 2025 Canadian Neuroscience meeting is in Toronto, May 21-24, 2025. The Canadian Neuroscience meeting is a great opportunity to present your work, learn about new cutting-edge research and network with neuroscience leaders from Canada and abroad.
The chairs of this year’s meeting, Drs. Matt Hill and Rosemary Bagot are putting together an exciting program that covers a wide range of neuroscience topics.
Visit can-acn.org/meeting-2025/ for more information, program and more. ,
INVENTURES 2025
Join industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries for three days of groundbreaking discussions and networking. Experience firsthand the fusion of technology and humanity that will shape the future. Bringing together innovators, investors, students, and government, Inventures features various content tracks focusing on emerging technologies such as food tech, clean tech, AI, quantum computing, healthcare data, and entrepreneurship.
Medical Neuroscience Seminar
Title: Supraspinal Integration of Proprioception: A Crucial Factor in Homolateral Leg Coordination
Speaker: Araz Dolatkhah, PhD Student, Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University
Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm
Location: Theatre C, Tupper Building
Description: Safe and efficient locomotion relies on placing the foot on a reliable surface at the end of each leg swing movement. In humans, vision plays a key role in guiding foot placement during walking, especially when precise steps are needed to maintain balance and avoid obstacles. However, in quadrupedal animals like mice, the hind limbs often fall outside of the visual field, making it unclear how precise foot placement is achieved. My project investigates whether proprioceptive feedback from the forelimb helps guide the placement of the hind limb during locomotion. I am specifically testing whether this coordination depends on sensory input from muscle spindles and whether supraspinal involvement is required, or if spinal circuits alone are sufficient. The aim is to uncover the mechanisms that support coordinated and stable movement in quadrupedal locomotion, particularly when the system is challenged by sudden disturbances.
Medical Neuroscience Seminar
Title: Photoreceptor function across the lifespan: understanding development, disease, and ageing through fish models
Speaker: Dr. Nicole Noel, Research Fellow, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London
Date: Friday, May 16, 2025
Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm
Location: Room 3H-1, Tupper Building
Thomas and Alice Morgans Fear Memorial Conference
Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine’s 13th Annual Thomas and Alice Morgans Fear Memorial Conference
Stillness in Chaos: Health Leadership for Complex Times
In-person Conference
Dalhousie Conference
The 13th Annual Thomas and Alice Morgans Fear Memorial Conference is coming to Halifax on May 15–16, 2025. Featuring thought-provoking talks, workshops, and networking, it’s an event you won’t want to miss.
Moose Hide Campaign Day
Moose Hide Campaign Day is an annual day of action and ceremony, primarily on May 15th, focused on ending violence against women and children. It's a grassroots movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians who are calling on all to take a stand against violence and support reconciliation. The campaign encourages individuals and organizations to take practical steps toward creating a safer and more respectful society.
Learn more at https://moosehidecampaign.ca
Medical Neuroscience Seminar
Title: Harnessing the regenerative potential of Müller glia in the retina: a study of development and regeneration
Speaker: Dr. Yacine Touahri, Junior Scientist, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program Sunnybrook Research Institute. Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences University of Toronto
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm
Location: Room 3H-1, Tupper Building
Medical Neuroscience Seminar
Title: Age-dependent deterioration of proprioceptive feedback and its role in postural instability
Speaker: Kenzie McKinnon, MSc Student, Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University
Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm
Location: Theatre C, Tupper Building
Description: In the aging population, fall related injuries costs the Canadian health millions of dollars annually. This is due to an increased locomotor instability with age. One of the contributing factors to this age-related instability is a decline in proprioceptive sensation in the legs. My project is exploring if this phenomena is apparent in the aging mouse. I am looking at how stability changes when proprioceptive information is acutely ablated from reaching the spinal cord at multiple ages and how that is reflected in kinematic derived measures for stability.
Medical Neuroscience Seminar
Title: Retinal Cell Biology in Models of Degenerative Disease
Speaker: Dr. Brittany Carr, Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences University of Alberta
Date: Monday, May 12, 2025
Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm
Location: Room 3H-1, Tupper Building
Medical Neuroscience Seminar
Title: White Matter Microstructure and Neuroinflammation in Adolescents with Psychotic-Like Experiences and Cannabis Use
Speaker: Nicole Ponto, MSc Student, Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University
Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm
Location: Theatre C, Tupper Building
Description: Adolescence represents a critical neurodevelopmental period during which the brain undergoes extensive white matter maturation and synaptic reorganization. This period is also marked by increased vulnerability to environmental stressors, including cannabis use (CU), and the emergence of psychotic-like experiences (PLEs)—transient, subclinical phenomena that confers risk for future psychopathology. The current study investigates how CU and PLEs, independently and interactively, influence white matter integrity and neuroinflammatory processes in adolescents aged 15–16 years. Using advanced diffusion imaging techniques—including Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) and Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI)—we assess microstructural integrity and markers of neuroinflammation within the superior longitudinal fasciculus, arcuate fasciculus, and anterior cingulate cortex. Drawing from a large community-based neuroimaging cohort (n = 123), we analyze both voxel-wise and tract-specific indices (MK, AK, RK, and ODI) to explore associations with CU frequency and PLE presence. Findings from this study offer insight into potential neuropathological mechanisms underlying the early expression of psychosis risk and highlight the utility of diffusion imaging in characterizing white matter changes in adolescence.
Medical Neuroscience Seminar
Title: White Matter Microstructure and Neuroinflammation in Adolescents with Psychotic-Like Experiences and Cannabis Use
Speaker: Nicole Ponto, MSc Student, Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University
Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm
Location: Theatre C, Tupper Building
Description: Adolescence represents a critical neurodevelopmental period during which the brain undergoes extensive white matter maturation and synaptic reorganization. This period is also marked by increased vulnerability to environmental stressors, including cannabis use (CU), and the emergence of psychotic-like experiences (PLEs)—transient, subclinical phenomena that confers risk for future psychopathology. The current study investigates how CU and PLEs, independently and interactively, influence white matter integrity and neuroinflammatory processes in adolescents aged 15–16 years. Using advanced diffusion imaging techniques—including Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) and Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI)—we assess microstructural integrity and markers of neuroinflammation within the superior longitudinal fasciculus, arcuate fasciculus, and anterior cingulate cortex. Drawing from a large community-based neuroimaging cohort (n = 123), we analyze both voxel-wise and tract-specific indices (MK, AK, RK, and ODI) to explore associations with CU frequency and PLE presence. Findings from this study offer insight into potential neuropathological mechanisms underlying the early expression of psychosis risk and highlight the utility of diffusion imaging in characterizing white matter changes in adolescence.
Mental Health Week
Mental Health Week 2025 Theme: Unmasking Mental Health
Living with a mental health or substance use challenge is hard enough; masking can make it even harder. Living with mental health challenges often forces people to hide behind a “mask” to protect themselves from judgment and discrimination. But the heavier the stigma, the heavier the mask becomes, and the more isolated we feel.
This May 5-11, we’re encouraging people across Canada to look beyond the surface and see the whole person. By embracing honesty and vulnerability, we open the door to deeper connections and the mental health benefits that come with it. In doing so, we can create a ripple effect of courage and understanding across the country.
Film Screening Premiere
Empower | A Story of Hope, Healing, and the Power of Human Connection
You are invited to to join Drs. Gabriela Ilie and Rob Rutledge for the film screening premiere of 'Empower', a documentary of the Patient Empowerment Programs (PEP) developed by Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine Endowed Soillse Scientist in Cancer Quality of Life Research, Gabriela Ilie, and Oncologist, Rob Rutledge. This documentary also features PEP graduates Melanie Smith and John Underhill, CD, KC. Following the documentary, there will be a panel discussion with remarkable cancer survivors and program participants. Please RSVP using the link below: Sunday, May 4 7 p.m. ADT (6 p.m. ET ) in person or via live streaming Joseph Strug Concert Hall 1385 Seymour St, Halifax, NS B3H 1W8