March 2016

Introducing The Krembil: the official newsletter of the Krembil Research Institute (formerly the Toronto Western Research Institute). The Krembil informs the Toronto Western Hospital community, external stakeholders and interested community members about the exciting news and innovative research happening at the Krembil Research Institute.

In this issue you can read about:

The upcoming Krembil Research Day
Krembil researchers have recently been awarded Canada Research Chairs
Assessing the efficacy of heart medication in people with lupus
Using oxygen levels in retinal blood to detect vision loss earlier
How chronic pain influences the connections between brain regions
Using advanced imaging to define bone changes in arthritis
How we can improve spinal cord surgery success
Combining two therapies to treat Parkinson disease

Donald Weaver, PhD, MD, FRCPC, FCAHS
Director, Krembil Research Institute
University Health Network

Krembil Annual Research Day Fast Approaching

This year's Krembil Research Day will be on Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Krembil Research Institute's appointed Scientists, Clinician Investigators, Clinical Researchers, trainees and staff are welcome to attend. Dr. Betty Diamond, Head of the Center for Autoimmune and Musculoskeletal Diseases at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, will be the keynote speaker. More information can be found on the Krembil Research Day website. [Read More]

Krembil Senior Scientists Announced as Canada Research Chairs

Two Senior Scientists at the Krembil Research Institute were recently awarded Canada Research Chairs (CRCs): Dr. Donald Weaver received a Tier 1 CRC in Drug Design for Protein Misfolding Disorders, and Dr. Antonio Strafella had his Tier 2 CRC in Movement Disorders and Neuroimaging renewed. The CRC program was created in 2000 to help Canada attract and retain some of the world's most brilliant scientific minds. [Read More]

Lupus: Matters of the Heart

Study finds that a class of heart medications are not as effective in patients with lupus. [Learn More]

Vision Loss: Early Detection

Study finds changes in oxygen levels may be used for early detection of diabetic retinopathy. [Learn More]

Chronic Pain: Rewiring the Brain

The severity of chronic pain may depend on how certain brain regions talk to each other. [Learn More]

Arthritis and Bone Health: the Anatomy of Disease

Advanced imaging used to precisely define bone changes in those with ankylosing spondylitis. [Learn More]

Spinal Injury: Improving Surgical Outcome

Researchers identify a key factor that influences spinal cord surgery success. [Learn More]

Parkinson disease: Targeted Therapy

Combining two therapies may be a possible new strategy to help those with Parkinson disease. [Learn More]