Ongoing projects

This project aims to study recovery and relapse in children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa. By tracking 100 patients over a year, including brain imaging, clinical and genetic assessments, the team aims to identify key biological and clinical markers linked to outcomes. The collaboration connects both hospitals to the largest international neuroimaging and genetic data-sharing networks in eating disorder research, advancing discovery and paving the way for more personalized, effective treatments for young people affected by anorexia nervosa.

This project aims to bring precision medicine to neurodevelopmental disorders by identifying markers that predict how individual children will respond to medications like psychostimulants and α2A agonists. Using advanced, non-invasive brain imaging techniques and behavioral assessments, researchers at CHU Sainte-Justine and SickKids will track changes before, during, and after treatment. Leveraging the Canadian Paediatric Imaging Platform (CPIP), the study seeks to match the right treatment to the right child, improving outcomes and reducing uncertainty for families.

Cerebrospinal fluid-based Liquid biopsy Approaches for Real-time Integrated analysis in brain Tumors of the Young (CLARITY) is a research program aiming to advance personalized care for children and young adults with brain tumors. Using innovative liquid biopsy techniques on cerebrospinal fluid, the project aims to diagnose and track these cancers safely and efficiently, reducing reliance on surgery and conventional imaging. Additionally, by gathering information in across hospitals through Canada’s first paediatric Neuro-Oncology registry, PARTNR, CLARITY will improve real-time clinical decision-making, ultimately enhancing diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment outcomes for patients.

Each year, about 2,500 Canadian babies are born with congenital heart defects, requiring early surgery. While survival rates have improved, many face long-term neurological issues due to imbalanced blood pressure after surgery. This project uses a real-time mechanism called cerebral autoregulation, developed by teams at SickKids and CHU Sainte-Justine to identify each child’s optimal blood pressure range, aiming to protect the brain and other organs. The goal is to develop a clinical tool for truly personalized care and improved outcomes.