About the Centre

The University of Toronto established the Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases in 1990, with the visionary support of the Alzheimer Society of Ontario and a group of dedicated private individuals led by Mark Tanz and Lionel Schipper, whose families had both been touched by Alzheimer’s disease.

The founding director, Professor Peter St George-Hyslop, led the Tanz Centre and its award-winning research teams for nearly 30 years. In 2019, Prof. Graham Collingridge was appointed director of the Tanz Centre as the Krembil Family Chair in Neuroscience.

The Tanz Centre is housed in the Krembil Research Tower at Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network.

History of the Centre

Driving Tanz researchers is the Centre’s mission to discover, apply and disseminate knowledge that will lead to the prevention, treatment and cure of these debilitating diseases.

Our Founding Donor

Mark Tanz (BA’52, Hon LLB’90)’s remarkable generosity has been a catalyst that has accelerated research in Canada into neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Steering Committee

Fundraising and community outreach efforts of the Tanz Centre are guided by a dedicated and visionary group of individuals who have contributed their expertise to assist the Tanz scientists in achieving their mission to lead global research and education in neurodegenerative disease.

Dec 4, 2025

Tanz Centre alum finds career in commercialization

After earning a PhD at the University of Toronto, Hamza Arshad is embarking on a new career direction, while still firmly planted in his scientific roots. And his experience at the Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, he says, gave him the scientific and communications skills he needs for his new path — wherever it may lead.

Oct 17, 2025

Study uncovers and predicts widespread molecular changes in ALS brain cells

Researchers at Temerty Medicine have found widespread genetic and protein changes in the brain cells of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which may help shed light on mechanisms of the disease.

Sep 8, 2025

Tanz Centre findings offer new insight on old prion disease research

A new University of Toronto study on misfolded proteins in brain cells is reshaping long-standing views of prion diseases by offering a fresh explanation for decades-old research images once thought to show virus-like particles.

May 30, 2025

Tanz Centre startup receives incubator space and support with innovator award

Neuropeutics Inc., a brain health company based on discovery science done at the Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, is the inaugural winner of the AbbVie Biotech Innovators Award.

Apr 10, 2025

Tanz Centre awards to support three researchers exploring brain diseases

Three scientists at the Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases have received awards to support their research and develop leading-edge treatments.

Mar 13, 2025

Skin-based test may allow better diagnosis of rare but debilitating neurodegenerative disease

Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a skin-based test that can detect signature features of progressive supranuclear palsy, pointing toward the potential for a minimally invasive diagnostic test.