Neurological Disorders  

Overview 

At London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (LHSCRI), we study diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system to better understand those disorders and how to treat them, including epilepsy, aneurysms, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiples sclerosis, brain tumours, and autoimmune and neuromuscular disorders.  

The Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences 

The Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University is one of the most comprehensive, multi-subspecialty groups in Canada. Our skilled neurologists and neurosurgeons utilize advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies to address a wide range of neurological disorders. These innovative treatments are offering new hope for many patients and enhancing their quality of life. 

Our department is also recognized as one of the most research-intensive and productive clinical neuroscience groups globally. Our researchers continue to build on a remarkable legacy that includes groundbreaking discoveries and clinical trials, such as the first successful clipping of basilar aneurysms and landmark studies in stroke and epilepsy, including the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) and the randomized trial that established the role of surgery for temporal lobe epilepsy. 

Recent advancements include the first use of robotic arms in Canada for epilepsy and spine surgery, insights into post-stroke atrial fibrillation and silent heart disease, and new bedside imaging techniques for detecting consciousness in critically ill patients.

Research Groups

Our neurological disorders research includes the following areas of focus:

Our research focuses on the diagnostic utility of neural antibody testing and neuroimaging techniques for autoimmune neurological diseases, including autoimmune encephalitis, stiff person syndrome and paraneoplastic neurologic disorders. By advancing our understanding of these conditions, we aim to enhance early diagnosis and improve treatment outcomes for affected patients. 

Our research focuses on the clinical and pathophysiological aspects of atrial fibrillation detected after stroke (AFDAS) and the processes leading to cardiovascular complications in stroke patients, known as stroke-induced heart injury (SIHI). These conditions affect over five million people worldwide each year. We also explore the association between stroke and dementia, aiming to understand how strokes contribute to cognitive impairment beyond the damage caused by the stroke itself. 

Our research investigates the epidemiology of epilepsy, focusing on disparities in care and outcomes following various interventions. We examine neurosurgical approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, including stereoencephalography. Our work also incorporates multimodal neuroimaging and non-invasive brain stimulation techniques to enhance understanding and management of this complex condition. Through research, we’re advancing epilepsy care for both adult and paediatric patients.

Our research focuses on the diagnosis and management of both primary and secondary headache disorders. We aim to enhance understanding of these conditions to improve patient care and treatment outcomes. 

Our research focuses on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and advancements in medical and neurosurgical treatments for Parkinson’s disease and related functional movement disorders. We emphasize cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging techniques, as well as deep brain stimulation and clinical trials. Additionally, we explore multidisciplinary clinical interventions for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal syndrome (CBS) and multiple system atrophy (MSA). 

Our research focuses on the epidemiology and clinical features of multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and related conditions. We also explore clinical trials and machine learning approaches, including natural language processing, to enhance our understanding and treatment of these disorders. 

Our research focuses on clinical studies and trials for various neuromuscular diseases, including ALS, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and myasthenia gravis. We aim to improve understanding and treatment options for these conditions.

Our research focuses on developing bedside tools for neurologic diagnosis and prognostication in patients with coma, head injuries and other conditions requiring neurologic critical care. These advancements aim to improve patient outcomes and enhance decision-making in critical situations. 

With the establishment of the Dale E. Creighton Brain and BioBank, our research focuses on neurodegenerative dementias and concussions. This initiative facilitates local, national, and international research aimed at the treatment and prevention of conditions such as frontotemporal degeneration, Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy and related disorders. 

We house a large brain tumour bank that supports both local and international research on brain tumours. Our research focuses on clinical trials for treating brain tumours and addressing related neurologic sequelae, such as paraneoplastic neurologic diseases. 

Our research focuses on improving the diagnosis and treatment of paediatric neurosurgical conditions, including fetal intraventricular hemorrhage, paediatric epilepsy, and brain tumours. We are dedicated to advancing interventions that enhance outcomes for young patients. 

Our multidisciplinary research program focuses on improving the clinical and surgical management of pituitary tumours. In spinal surgery, we enhance diagnostic, prognostic, and survival interventions for conditions such as cervical stenosis and disc surgery. 

Our research focuses on novel device development and clinical trials in vascular neurosurgical conditions, including aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, cerebrovascular stenosis, thrombosis and acute stroke.