RRI Scientist Dr. Jed Meltzer is fast-tracking the
progress of up-and-coming treatments for incurable
brain diseases and disorders thanks to his recent
appointment as the
Canada Research Chair in
Interventional Cognitive Neuroscience.
This prestigious position recognizes
Dr. Meltzer as an exceptional
emerging researcher and through
his appointment, he will receive
$500,000 over five years from the
federal government.
This funding will help Dr. Meltzer
grow the use of brain stimulation as
a treatment within medicine.
Currently, this type of procedure is
used as an established treatment for
depression among patients who do
not respond to medication. Previous
studies have found encouraging
results using a non-invasive, pain-
free and targeted type of brain
stimulation, transcranial magnetic
stimulation (TMS), to treat brain
disorders, such as schizophrenia,
stroke, Alzheimer's disease,
and Parkinson's disease. Brain
stimulation can bolster the brain's
natural processes of "rewiring"
to fight the effects of stroke
and dementia.
Through the Centre for Aging +
Brain Health Innovation (CABHI),
Dr. Meltzer is collaborating
with RRI Clinician Scientist,
Dr. Linda Mah, to test the
effectiveness of deep TMS therapy,
an innovative technology that
allows stimulation to reach further
within the brain's structure. RRI
researchers will evaluate whether
this intervention, developed by the
Israeli firm Brainsway, can improve
the mood and memory of older
adults with both Alzheimer's disease
and major depression.
With up to 70 percent of people
living with Alzheimer's disease
also suffering from depression, this
work could help brain stimulation
become a regular treatment option
for those individuals.
2017–2018 YEAR IN REVIEW 9
Visit us online to learn more about
Dr. Jed Meltzer, Dr. Linda Mah, and
other RRI scientists here.
Accelerating the
development of
promising brain
interventions
