Since its founding in 1934 by renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Wilder Penfield, The Neuro has grown to be the largest specialized neuroscience research and clinical centre in Canada, and one of the largest in the world. The seamless integration of research, patient care, and training of the world’s top minds makes The Neuro uniquely positioned to have a significant impact on the understanding and treatment of nervous system disorders.
The Rockefeller Foundation grants $1.2 million to build The Neuro and fulfill Dr. Wilder Penfield’s dream of an integrated research and hospital facility.
The Neuro opens on September 27.ĚýĚý
Pioneer electrophysiologist Dr. Herbert Jasper perfects the use of the electroencephalogram – a tool used for locating the source of epileptic seizures in the brain.
The Neuro establishes Canada’s first MS Clinic.Ěý
Dr. Brenda Milner makes groundbreaking discoveries in memory through her studies with one of the most celebrated patients in neurological science – the case of HM – Henry Molaison, who could not retain memories for more than 30 seconds.
Dr. Wilder Penfield’s ground-breaking epilepsy surgery, known as the Montreal Procedure, is published and becomes adopted worldwide over the coming years.
1953
The new McConnell Pavilion expands The Neuro’s capacity to treat patients and conduct research.Ěý
The “Montreal Procedure,” the operation for temporal lobe epilepsy, is developed by Dr. Penfield and colleagues and adopted by neurosurgeons worldwide. Today, The Neuro continues to be the most active and experienced internationalĚýcentreĚýfor treating epilepsy. We now have a “world series” of over 6,000 patients that have been successfully operated upon here, twice the number of any otherĚýcentre.
Dr. Theodore Rasmussen, a world authority on the surgical treatment of epilepsy, is appointed Director.
The Neuro is named a Killam Institution and receives ongoing support for research from the Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Endowment and the Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Fund for Advanced Studies, created by Dorothy J. Killam, widow of Izaak W. Killam.Ěý
Dr. WilliamĚýFeindel, neurosurgeon, is appointed Director and introduces brain scanning to The Neuro, setting the stage for The Neuro to become Canada’s leader in brain imaging.
The Neuro unveils Canada’s first computer axial tomography (CAT) scanner.
Dr. Christopher Thompson and colleagues build the first positron emission tomography (PET) camera.
Dr. David Hubel, a former Fellow, wins the Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology.
The Neuro’s positron emission tomography (PET) unit produces the first image of a brainĚýtumour.Ěý
Dr. Donald Baxter, neurologist, is appointed Director. Dr. Baxter is known for his commitment to training young neurologists and support for research.
The Neuro inaugurates the Webster Pavilion, housing the McConnell Brain Imaging Centre (BIC).Ěý
Dr. Richard Murphy, scientist, is appointed Director, and works to expand cell and molecular biology at The Neuro.
The Neuro inaugurates the BrainĚýTumourĚýResearch Centre in the presence of the RightĚýHonourableĚýJean ChrĂ©tien, former Prime Minister of Canada, and Madame Pauline Marois, then Deputy Premier of Quebec.
The Neuro obtains Quebec’s first bi-planar angiogram improving treatment decisions and resulting in shorter procedure times for stroke patients.
The Neuro declares formal ties as a sister institute with India’s National Brain Research Centre.Ěý
The Neuro gains recognition as one of the Canadian government’s seven nationalĚýCentresĚýof Excellence in Commercialization and Research.
A transformative gift from the Judy and Larry Tanenbaum family helps to establish the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute, a bold initiative that will facilitate the sharing of neuroscience findings worldwide to accelerate the discovery of leading edge therapeutics to treat patients suffering from neurological diseases.
The Neuro is the largest trainingĚýcentreĚýfor neuroscience in Canada. Its postdoctoral fellows, residents and graduate students come from all over the world to develop expertise in their field and then return to their home countries to establish clinical and research programs.Ěý
