Western Concussion Study Group
The Researchers
A $500,000 donation from the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) in August served as the foundation of a $3.125-million fund to enable a team of Western researchers develop new ways to treat concussions and arrest the short- and long-term consequences of the injury. With researchers across campus, and around the city, the Western Concussion Study Group includes Greg Dekaban, Director of Molecular Medicine at Robarts Research Institute; Jeff Holmes, Health Sciences professor; Doug Fraser, Children’s Health Research Institute; Lisa Fischer, Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic; Tim Doherty, Chair, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Robert Bartha, Medical Biophysics professor; and Arthur Brown, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry professor and Robarts investigator. Their work has led to the development of a program focused on three key areas: immunomodulation (treatment of injury-induced inflammation); neuro-restoration (maximizing the regenerative capacity of nerves after injury has occurred); and prevention of concussion-related dementia.