Research

Neurodegenerative diseases represent some of the most significant public health challenges of the 21st century: they are chronic, common and untreatable.

Today, one-third of adults over 85 years of age have some form of dementia. As our population ages over the next 25 years, the prevalence of these diseases is expected to double.

The science of these diseases is complex – the easy answers have been ruled out.

At the Tanz Centre, we are prepared to meet this challenge. Our researchers have made many of the most important discoveries of the past two decades concerning the genetics of Alzheimer’s and other diseases. We are determined to discover and invent effective diagnostics and therapies that will stop these devastating diseases.

To learn more about our research areas and the science behind the neurodegenerative diseases studied at the Tanz Centre, please explore the links below:

ALS

Alzheimer’s Disease

Frontotemporal Dementia

Parkinson's

Prion Diseases

Sep 30, 2024

Research explores potential of AI to repurpose drugs for Parkinson’s disease

Naomi Visanji met Jonathan Rezek in 2015. Rezek, an IBM executive who had Parkinson’s disease, was a patient in the movement disorders clinic at Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network. He had the idea that Visanji work with her colleagues and IBM’s Watson artificial intelligence to look for new treatments for Parkinson’s disease.

Sep 17, 2024

Race with Steph, One Year On

Stephanie Fauquier's inspiring campaign has resulted in the establishment of the Dr. Robin McLeod Research Scholarship at U of T's Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Aug 8, 2024

Research team proposes new system to classify Parkinson’s disease

Professor Anthony Lang and an international research group proposed a new biological classification system for Parkinson’s disease, which will help focus research and may influence future patient care.

May 2, 2024

Genetic mutations are offering new insights into Alzheimer’s disease

Rare genetic mutations that cause early-onset Alzheimer’s disease are helping scientists at the University of Toronto uncover mechanisms involved in the disease, which may lead to new diagnostic tools and therapies.

Mar 26, 2024

Clinical study explores relationship between depression and dementia

In recent years, researchers have studied the link between depression and dementia. Depression can affect different aspects of cognition such as attention, executive function and memory. Some researchers believe that depression may even be an early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease.

Mar 20, 2024

Multi-million-dollar support points to new era in neurodegenerative disease research

Researchers in the Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease have reason to celebrate with the announcement of $8.6 million in funding, which will help catalyze breakthroughs in the treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.