The
Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) is an academic medical centre dedicated to neuroscience located in
MontrealMontreal is the second-largest city in Canada and the largest city in the province of Quebec. Originally called Ville-Marie , the city takes its present name from Mont-Royal, the triple-peaked hill located in the heart of the city, whose name was also initially given to the island on which the...
. The MNI is closely tied to
McGill UniversityMcGill University is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
as a teaching and research centre. Its clinical partner, the Montreal Neurological Hospital is one of five teaching hospitals of the
McGill University Health CentreThe McGill University Health Centre is a network of teaching and community hospitals in Montreal, Quebec, Canada affiliated with McGill University....
. The institute is located in the McGill downtown campus and wraps around the west end of
Molson StadiumPercival Molson Memorial Stadium is a stadium owned by McGill University. It is the home of the Montreal Alouettes, the McGill Redmen and the Selwyn House Gryphons.-History:...
.
The MNI was founded in 1934 by
Dr. Wilder PenfieldWilder Graves Penfield, OM, CC, CMG, FRS was an American born Canadian neurosurgeon. During his life he was called "the greatest living Canadian"...
with a $1.2 million grant from the
Rockefeller FoundationThe Rockefeller Foundation is a prominent philanthropic organization and private foundation based at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City. The preeminent institution established by the six-generation Rockefeller family, it was founded by John D. Rockefeller , along with his son John D. Rockefeller, Jr...
of
New YorkNew York is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous. The state is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and the support of the government of Quebec, the city of Montreal, and private donors.
The
Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) is an academic medical centre dedicated to neuroscience located in
MontrealMontreal is the second-largest city in Canada and the largest city in the province of Quebec. Originally called Ville-Marie , the city takes its present name from Mont-Royal, the triple-peaked hill located in the heart of the city, whose name was also initially given to the island on which the...
. The MNI is closely tied to
McGill UniversityMcGill University is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
as a teaching and research centre. Its clinical partner, the Montreal Neurological Hospital is one of five teaching hospitals of the
McGill University Health CentreThe McGill University Health Centre is a network of teaching and community hospitals in Montreal, Quebec, Canada affiliated with McGill University....
. The institute is located in the McGill downtown campus and wraps around the west end of
Molson StadiumPercival Molson Memorial Stadium is a stadium owned by McGill University. It is the home of the Montreal Alouettes, the McGill Redmen and the Selwyn House Gryphons.-History:...
.
History
The MNI was founded in 1934 by
Dr. Wilder PenfieldWilder Graves Penfield, OM, CC, CMG, FRS was an American born Canadian neurosurgeon. During his life he was called "the greatest living Canadian"...
with a $1.2 million grant from the
Rockefeller FoundationThe Rockefeller Foundation is a prominent philanthropic organization and private foundation based at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City. The preeminent institution established by the six-generation Rockefeller family, it was founded by John D. Rockefeller , along with his son John D. Rockefeller, Jr...
of
New YorkNew York is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous. The state is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and the support of the government of Quebec, the city of Montreal, and private donors. In 2007, the
Canadian governmentThe government of Canada is established as a constitutional monarchy, with the powers and structure of the federal government established by the Constitution of Canada, which includes the written part, the decisions of courts, and unwritten conventions developed over time.-Usage:In Canadian...
named the MNI as one of seven Centres of Excellence in Commercialization and Research in recognition of innovative and outstanding work.
It celebrates its 75th anniversary in November 2009.
Research and training
Multidisciplinary teams of basic and clinical research scientists generate fundamental advances about the nervous system and apply that knowledge to understanding and treating neurological diseases. Research at the MNI covers the entire spectrum of neuroscience research and patient care. There are 11 research units closely integrated with clinical activities. The MNI is internationally recognized for its strength in
epilepsyEpilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures...
research and treatment,
brain imagingNeuroimaging includes the use of various techniques to either directly or indirectly image the structure, function/pharmacology of the brain...
,
cognitive neuroscienceCognitive neuroscience is an academic field concerned with the scientific study of biological substrates underlying cognition, with a specific focus on the neural substrates of mental processes. It addresses the questions of how psychological/cognitive functions are produced by the brain...
,
neuroimmunologyNeuroimmunology is a growing branch of biomedical science that studies of all aspects of the interactions between the immune system and nervous system...
, complex neural systems, and
neuromuscular diseaseNeuromuscular disease is a very broad term that encompasses many diseases and ailments that either directly, via intrinsic muscle pathology, or indirectly, via nerve pathology, impair the functioning of the muscles....
. Extensive molecular and cellular biology is also carried out in the Centre for Neuronal Survival and the Cell Biology of Excitable Tissues Group, while researchers in the Brain Tumour Research Centre work closely with colleagues in the Neurosurgical Research group.
The MNI has created a productive environment for translational research where experts apply discoveries of basic science research to improve the care of patients suffering from neurological diseases. Patients benefit from close interaction among clinical and basic scientists and can receive treatment for ALS, brain tumours, epilepsy, migraine, multiple sclerosis, pain, Parkinson’s disease and other conditions. Patients also benefit from technical advances in brain imaging, neuro-radiology, neuro-navigation and neuro-stimulation. Many patients participate in studies of the newest treatments available through the Clinical Research Unit.
Throughout its history, the Montreal Neurological Institute has offered outstanding research and clinical training. Former fellows hold prominent positions around the world. Current trainees come from more than 60 countries.
Notable achievements
- First and only neurological institute and hospital in Canada
- First CT Scanner, PET system and MRI in Canada
- Developed the "Montreal procedure
The Montreal procedure is a surgical procedure pioneered by Dr. Wilder Penfield of Montreal, Canada, in the 1930s. It is effective in the treatment of epilepsy....
" for the surgical treatment of epilepsy
- Electroencephalography
- First PET images of stroke and brain tumours
- First animal model of Alzheimer's disease
- Pioneered the use of electrical probes in surgery
Directors
- Wilder Penfield, MD (1891 - 1976) [Director 1934 - 1960]
- Theodore Rasmussen, MD (1910 - 2002) [Director 1960 - 1972]
- William Feindel, MD [Director 1972 - 1984]
- Donald Baxter, MD [Director 1984 - 1992]
- Richard Murphy, PhD [Director 1992 - 2000]
- Donald Baxter, MD [Director interim, 2000 - 2002]
- David R. Colman, PhD [Director 2002 - present]
Notable Researchers
- Wilder Penfield
Wilder Graves Penfield, OM, CC, CMG, FRS was an American born Canadian neurosurgeon. During his life he was called "the greatest living Canadian"...
- David Hubel, Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prize is a Sweden-based international monetary prize. The award was established by the 1895 will and estate of Swedish chemist and inventor Alfred Nobel. It was first awarded in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace in 1901...
winner
- Brenda Milner
Brenda Milner, CC, GOQ, FRS has contributed extensively to the research literature on various topics in the field of clinical neuropsychology....
- Donald Hebb
- Herbert Jasper
Herbert Henri Jasper, OC, GOQ, FRSC was a Canadian psychologist, physiologist, anatomist, chemist and neurologist....
- George Karpati
George Karpati, OC, CQ, FRSC was a Canadian neurologist and neuroscientist who was one of the leading experts on the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular disorders including muscular dystrophy research....
- Frederick Andermann
Frederick Andermann, OC is a Canadian neurologist known for his research of epilepsy.Born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, he immigrated to Montreal in 1950....
- Rolando Del Maestro
Facilities
- 6 major additions to the original Rockefeller Pavilion (1934):
- McConnell Wing
John Wilson McConnell was a Canadian businessman, newspaper publisher, humanitarian, and the most significant philanthropist in the history of the province of Quebec, Canada.-Early life:...
(1952)
- Penfield Pavilion (1978)
- Webster Pavilion (1985)
- Molson Pavilion
The Molson family of Montreal, Quebec, Canada was founded by John Molson who emigrated to Canada in 1782 from his home in Lincolnshire, England....
(1996)
- Brain Tumour Research Centre (2002)
- Clinical Research Unit (2004)
- North Wing expansion under construction (2007). This new wing will expand the Brain imaging centre, provide new space for research and improved patient care facilities.
- Brain Imaging Centre: 4 MRI, 3 PET, 1 CT scanner
- 4 operating rooms and 1 angiography suite
- 96 patient beds
- 9 specialty day clinics
- Library: 241 journals, over 7300 books
- 337-seat Jeanne Timmins Amphitheatre
- 76-seat de Grandpré
Albert Jean de Grandpré, CC is a Canadian businessman, lawyer, and former president and chief executive officer of Bell Canada Enterprises Inc....
Communications Centre (tele- and video-conferencing facility)