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Neuroscience Research

  1. U of G Homepage
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  3. Impact
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  5. Neuroscience Research

Through a multidisciplinary approach across multiple colleges, University of Guelph researchers engage in cutting-edge work to address key questions about the brain and nervous system, with the goal of improving life.

Our neuroscience researchers collaborate with experts worldwide to advance our understanding of brain health and neurological disorders, tackling critical challenges in these areas.

Themes

At U of G, our neuroscience research spans multiple domains, from the cellular and molecular foundations of neural function to the complex behaviours, cognitive processes and clinical applications that shape our understanding of brain health and neurological disorders.

Electron micrograph of feed

Cellular

This research focuses on neurons and glial cells, examining their functions and how they communicate within the nervous system to regulate essential neural processes.

Cancer cells

Molecular

Research in the molecular domain studies the influence of various molecules on neural function, including the roles of neurotransmitters, receptors and intricate signalling pathways.

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Behavioural

Behavioural neuroscience research explores how brain activity impacts behaviours, emotions and decision-making, providing insights into both human and animal responses.

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Systems

This research investigates how different neural circuits and brain regions interact to govern complex functions such as perception and motor control.

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Cognitive

Cognitive neuroscience research delves into higher-order processes, studying memory, learning, language and problem-solving to better understand mental function.

Grass being grown in pots

Developmental

This area centres on how the brain develops and changes across the lifespan, from prenatal stages through adulthood, shedding light on key milestones and shifts in brain structure and function.

vet hospital

Clinical

Clinical neuroscience research addresses neurological disorders and mental health conditions, focusing on the development of treatments and therapeutic strategies through applied research.

Neuroscience Articles

A person with eye tracking technology

Eyes as a Window to the Brain

Date: November 19, 2024

Researcher: Dr. Mazyar Fallah

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A person in a light pink shirt with a pen and a notebook

U of G Study Challenges the Learning Benefits of Doodling and Fidgeting

Date: October 18, 2024

Researcher: Dr. Mark Fenske

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Microscopic image of astrocytes

“Overexcited” Astrocytes Help Explain Neuron Dysfunction in Fragile X Syndrome

Date: September 5, 2024

Researcher: Dr. Angela Scott

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TitleDateResearcher(s)

How Fish Can Protect Your Brain From Injury

February 3, 2026

David Ma

Could Dancing Be Key to Slowing Parkinson’s?

January 26, 2026

Rebecca Barnstaple

U of G Receives Funding for Three Canada Research Chairs

October 22, 2025

Giannina Descalzi

2025 Research Excellence Awards Honour Impactful Scholarship

October 16, 2025

Giannina Descalzi

U of G Neuroscientist Named to Canadian Academy of Health Sciences

August 19, 2025

Melissa Perreault

Serving Tau up on a Platelet: Identifying a Novel Method to Monitor Huntington’s Disease

May 15, 2025

Melanie Alpaugh

Neuroscientists Lay Foundation for Huntington’s Disease Treatment

October 24, 2024

Melanie Alpaugh

U of G Researchers Receive Funding to Study Youth Mental Health, Greenhouse Gas Reduction, Brain Cancer, More

September 13, 2024

Nuria Daviu, Angela Scott, Melanie Alpaugh, Samuel Tekeste Workenhe and Stephanie Craig

U of G Researchers Receive More Than $15.4M in Federal SupportJune 14, 2024Dr. Craig Bailey
U of G to Recognize Eminent University Professors at 2024 ConvocationJune 5, 2024Dr. Neil MacLusky
Is it Getting Hot in Here? How Heating the Skin on Your Feet May Help Rehabilitate Loss of BalanceMay 15, 2024Dr. Leah Bent
Target Practice: How Identifying Motor Synergies Can Enhance Athletic TrainingJanuary 8, 2024Drs. Devon Frayne and Stephen Brown
The Transformative Power of Exercise: Cycling Across Canada with Parkinson’s DiseaseSeptember 27, 2023Dr. Philip Millar
Seven Researchers Recognized with U of G Research Excellence AwardsSeptember 13, 2023Dr. Jennifer Murray
Beyond the Binary: Gender Inclusivity in Schizophrenia ResearchMay 23, 2023Dr. Melissa Perreault and Caitlin Nolan
U of G Scientists Meet with Federal Leaders at Science Meets ParliamentMay 1, 2023Drs. Melissa Perreault and Rebecca Shapiro
Can Cannabis Treat Brain Cancer? Study Shows that Molecules in Cannabis Have the Potential to Attack Tumour CellsMarch 2, 2023Dr. Jasmin Lalonde
The Heart Wants what the Heart Needs: Study Offers New Insight into Cardiac Adaptations in Aquatic AthletesJanuary 16, 2023Drs. Alexandra Coates and Jamie Burr
Small but Mighty: The Surprising Role of Bacteria in Brain DevelopmentNovember 30, 2022Dr. Terry Van Raay and Victora Rea
U of G Researchers Use ‘Mini-Brains’ in Search for Novel Cancer Treatment October 27, 2022Dr. Shaun Sanders and Andrey Petropavlovskiy
Let Them Play: How Richer Home Environments Make Mice More SocialJuly 28, 2022Dr. Georgia Mason and Lindsey Kitchenham
Low Oxygen Impairs Brain Development in Fish, but the Fish Aren't Stressed About ItJune 20, 2022Dr. Nicholas Bernier, Kristina Mikloska and Zoe Zrini
Applying an Indigenous Lens to Brain ResearchJune 8, 2022Dr. Melissa Perreault
Study Finds Key Brain Protein May Have Role in Psychiatric DisordersDecember 10, 2021Dr. Jasmin Lalonde and Alicyia Walczyk-Mooradally
It’s a No-brainer: Study Sheds New Light on How Tumour Cells Invade Brain TissueAugust 17, 2021Dr. Manali Tilak
The Evolution of Learning and Behavior: How Toads Could Unlock the Complexities of Human BehaviorJune 28, 2021Dr. Frederic Laberge, Sarah Ouellet and Amber Lavictoire
Smaller Brains Help Toads Survive a Harsh Life atop MountainsMay 10, 2021Dr. Jinzhong Fu
This is your brain (waves) on drugsOctober 28, 2020Dr. Melissa Perreault, Joshua Manduca and Rachel-Karson Thériault
To Divide or not to Divide? That is the Question Being Answered by Dlx Proteins in Developing Embryo CellsJuly 16, 2019Dr. Andrew Bendall, Bendall and Rachel MacKenzie
A Step Forward in Understanding Injurious Fall Risk in Older AdultsJune 13, 2019Dr. Lori Ann Vallis, David Shulman, Abbigale Spencer and Jaykob Price
Making Sense of Moving Through LifeApril 12, 2019Dr. Leah Bent and Erika Howe
U of G Study Reveals Why Heart Failure Patients Suffer Depression, Impaired ThinkingApril 5, 2019Dr. Tami Martino
Study Shows How Agrochemicals Can Increase Risk of Parkinson’s DiseaseMarch 29, 2019Dr. Scott Ryan
U of G Study Is First to Find Evidence That Leopard Geckos Can Make New Brain CellsJuly 27, 2018Dr. Matthew Vickaryous and Rebecca McDonald
When Brain Regions Can’t Communicate, and How to Prevent ItMay 24, 2018Dr. Melissa Perreault
Study Shows New Twist on Mind-muscle ConnectionFebruary 7, 2018Dr. Geoffrey Power, Jordan Grant and Caleb Sypkes
Gaining Virtual Insights into the Molecular Structure of the BrainJanuary 26, 2018Drs. George Harauz, Kyrylo Bessonov and Kenrick Vassal
Sugar in the Diet May Increase Risks of Opioid AddictionOctober 19, 2017Dr. Francesco Leri and Meenu Minhas
Meditation May Protect the Brain From Grey Matter Atrophy, Neurodegenerative DiseasesApril 17, 2017Dr. Leslie Auger, Nicole Last and Emily Tufts
Neuroplasticity Makes Brain Changes PossibleNovember 1, 2016Dr. Mandy Wintink
Past Experiences Affect Recognition, Memory: U of G StudyFebruary 8, 2016Dr. Boyer Winters
Researchers Study Tie Between Estrogen, MemoryDecember 15, 2015Drs. Elena Choleris, Neil MacLusky and Anna Phan
Vaccarino Lent Expertise to National Report on Adolescent Marijuana UseJune 17, 2015Dr. Franco Vaccarino
Brain Bee Tests Neuroscience KnowledgeAugust 6, 2014Krista Mitchnick
Prof Looks for Clues in Parkinson’s PuzzleFebruary 20, 2014Dr. Scott Ryan
First-Year Seminar Looks at Why We SleepDecember 9, 2013Dr. Justine Tishinsky
Neuroscience Grad Student Nabs Research AwardJuly 3, 2013Lesley O’Brien
Research Aims to Develop Vaccine to Target Brain CancerMay 17, 2013Zafir Syed
Forgot Something? Psych Student Wants to Know WhyApril 16, 2013Krista Mitchnick
Rats’ Picky Eating Habits Help Explain Human NauseaMay 23, 2012Drs. Linda Parker and Paul Woods
MRI Gives New Prof X-ray VisionNovember 3, 2011Dr. Fiona James
New Prof Wants to Know Why Dogs Become AggressiveNovember 9, 2010Dr. Lee Niel
Touch and See How the Brain WorksMay 25, 2010Dr. Boyer Winters and James Reid
Young People Have Better SensesMay 12, 2010Nila Ilhamto and Dr. Lisa Duizer
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