Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives

11/18/2025

Amazing Brain Science Talks 2025 was one for the books! 🧠💗

On November 8, Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives (HBHL), Brain Canada and the Brain-Heart Interconnectome (BHI) hosted the third edition of the event at the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec / Grande Bibliothèque in Montreal. More than 100 of you joined us for an afternoon of big ideas, powerful stories and engaging conversations about brain and heart health—and the surprising ways the two are linked.

Our moderators, Viviane Poupon (Brain Canada) and Peter Liu (BHI), led an inspiring lineup of speakers as they took the stage:

🧠 Roger Zemek challenged long-standing myths around concussion care and shared new, evidence-based recovery strategies.
🌞 Kris Noakes offered a moving perspective on her family’s experience with hereditary ALS and the importance of awareness and genetic testing.
❤️‍🩹 Benjamin Goldstein highlighted groundbreaking research on heart–brain connections in youth bipolar disorder.
👶 Pia Wintermark walked us through surprising findings on using sidenafil (also known as Vi**ra) to help heal newborns with brain damage.
🏥 Lesley Fellows explored what her work with older adults living with HIV reveals about lifelong brain health.
🌈 Philip Jai Johnson broke down misconceptions about aging and sexuality, drawing from his clinical work.
🌬️ Georg Northoff closed the program with practical breathing techniques to help ease anxiety.

We also hosted a vibrant scientific poster session featuring Montreal-based trainees, sparking thoughtful exchanges between researchers and the public.
To all our speakers, poster presenters and attendees: thank you for making this edition our most engaging yet.

Stay tuned for the video recordings!

Explore the full photo album: amazingbrain.ca

11/07/2025

What does your pain look like to you? 🧠🎨

McGill researcher Hannah Derue founded PAin+, a neuroscience-based startup using AI and artworks from the National Gallery of Art’s open access collection to help people better express and understand chronic pain — bridging art and science to improve pain management.

🔗 Learn more in the McGill Reporter: mcgill.ca/x/iHt

11/07/2025

Pssst... The Amazing Brain Science Talks are back tomorrow and it's going to be a full house! 🙌

Join HBHL, Brain Canada and Brain-Heart Interconnectome
at Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec / Grande Bibliothèque for an afternoon dedicated to the brain, the heart and everything in between.

You won't want to miss exciting talks by experts Roger Zemek ( CHEO), Benjamin Goldstein (CAMH), Kris Noakes, Pia Wintermark (Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre), Lesley Fellows (McGill Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences), Philip Jai Johnson and Georg Northoff (uOttawa).

See you soon! 🧠 💫

🔗 For more details: http://amazingbrain.ca

McGill University | McGill Research and Innovation

10/29/2025

Discover your brain’s incredible capabilities at the Amazing Brain Science Talks, an exciting and free event for all ages hosted by McGill University's Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives in partnership with Brain Canada and Brain-Heart Interconnectome 🧠✨

Join us on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Grande Bibliothèque de Montréal for insightful talks by leading Canadian brain health experts and speakers with lived experience. Explore diverse topics like memory, aging, cannabis and brain development, neurodiversity and more. Plus, engage in Q&A sessions and enjoy a student-led poster session during the reception!

Event Details:

📅 Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025 ⏰ Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 📍 Location: La Grande Bibliothèque - 475, boulevard De Maisonneuve Est, Montréal, QC, H2L 5C4 🎟 Cost: FREE
🔗 Register now: https://loom.ly/CLh3neg

Learn more about the Amazing Brain Science Talks: https://loom.ly/gkvzxbI

10/21/2025

We can't wait to learn more about our amazing brains with you on Saturday, November 8 at Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec / Grande Bibliothèque!

Register now: www.mcgill.ca/x/i7y

McGill University Faculty of Science | McGill University | McGill Research and Innovation | Curious Neuron | McGill Department of Family Medicine | McGill Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences | Brain Canada

05/22/2025

How you walk says a lot about how you’re ageing 👣

In this new article for The Conversation Canada, NeuroSphere-funded professor Nancy Mayo explains why gait quality matters and how simple tools like the sensor can help people walk better, not just more.

A strong, steady step can lead to greater confidence, independence and wellbeing 💪🧠

📖 Read the full article here ⤵️
https://bit.ly/3SkiuMl



McGill University | McGill School of Physical and Occupational Therapy | Physiobiometrics

Why walking matters more than you might think - especially as you age.

05/09/2025

Western University, in vibrant London, Ontario, delivers an academic and student experience second to none.

04/10/2025

💡 Want to get involved in the hashtag ? Volunteer with us!

Volunteering is a great way to be part of this limited-capacity event while helping us create a smooth and welcoming experience for all attendees.

We're looking for volunteers to assist with:
✅ Registration
✅ Catering
✅ Supporting guests and panelists
✅ General event logistics

🔗 Sign up here: https://forms.office.com/r/aQAZ4KEGY7

🗓 Deadline to sign up: Friday, April 18, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. EST

💻 Volunteer briefing (Zoom): Wednesday, April 30, 2025 from 1:00–2:00 p.m.

Thank you for being an essential part of HBHL Symposium 2025.
Your contribution makes a big difference—thank you! 🙌



McGill University | The Neuro | Centre universitaire de santé McGill - McGill University Health Centre | Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre