The McConnell Brain Imaging Center: A world-renowned multidisciplinary platform dedicated to brain research using multimodal neuroimaging and neuroinformatics

Project Overview

Thanks to the late Dr. William Feindel’s vision, who in the 1970’s believed that brain imaging was the “future for neurology and neurosurgery”, and to a generous donation, the Montreal Neurological Institute (The Neuro) inaugurated the McConnell Brain Imaging Center (BIC) in 1984. This pioneering landmark was preceded (and followed) by the fact that Dr. Feindel brought several, Canada first, cutting-edge imaging scanners and cyclotrons at The Neuro. This paved the way for McGill and Canadian researchers to take the lead in neuroimaging research on an international scene. Indeed, the Neuro installed the first computed tomograph (CAT-scan) in 1973, the first positron-emission tomography (PET) camera in 1975, the first Medical Mini cyclotron capable of producing safe, injectable radioactive pharmaceuticals to obtain molecular images of the brain in 1981, the first magnetic resonance imaging scanner with a field strength of 1.5T to image structure, vascularization and chemical concentrations of the human brain in 1985, as well as the first IBA cyclotron in 1986, which is still in operation today. Such powerhouse in neuroimaging infrastructure has served as a major asset to be able to attract the best scientists and clinicians to The Neuro, hence building the critical mass necessary to not only compete, but to be among the top centers worldwide that are fully dedicated to research in neuroimaging and the development of computer tools used to analyze the different types of data generated by these imaging modalities. Thus, the present PSG application aims to build upon more than 46 years of innovation, and to grow our leadership in multimodal neuroimaging on the international scene, to augment the level of service given to the BIC researchers and to build upon recent developments in database environments to be able to share our data and knowledge with the scientific community worldwide.

Partners and Donors

McGill University