Your Complex Brain

At UHN’s Krembil Brain Institute, we have cared for many patients living with an extreme and heartbreaking facial pain disorder called trigeminal neuralgia. Patients often describe the pain as a lightning bolt to the face, or an electric shock. Some talk about the impact the disease has had on their family & relationships, including not being able to hug their loved ones, or kiss their children goodnight. 

In today’s episode, we...

The Lullaby Project brings together expectant mothers with professional songwriters to write, record, and perform an original lullaby for their baby. In 2017, Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall brought this heartwarming initiative to Toronto, and invited partners to participate, including Dr. Esther Bui, a neurologist who specializes in treating women with epilepsy. Today, we’re exploring whether participating in a project like The L...

A stroke happens when there is a sudden blockage of blood flow to the brain or bleeding in the brain, which can result in symptoms such as numbness or weakness, trouble speaking, confusion, or dizziness. The type of symptoms one might experience depends largely on the type of stroke, and the area of the brain affected. But one thing is clear – despite the many advances in stroke care over the past 30 years, it's women who ofte...

Do you know a child who has difficulty spelling or sounding out words? Maybe they feel stressed or anxious when it comes to reading, or they try to avoid it altogether?

These symptoms could be a sign of a reading disorder, which is the most common form of a learning disability.

In this episode, we discuss the prevalence and impact of reading disorders, what scientists are learning about the genetic links, and what...

Have you ever heard of a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis, also known as NF?

It’s one of the most common genetic disorders, affecting about 1 in 3000 people globally. NF causes different types of tumours to form in various parts of the body. Because so little is known about the condition, it’s often misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed at all.

UHN is home to the Elisabeth Raab Neurofibromatosis Clinic, the on...

Parkinson’s disease is the fast-growing neurological condition in the world. In Canada, more than 100,000 people are currently living with Parkinson's and 12,000 new cases are diagnosed every year.

In this episode of Your Complex Brain, we discuss the latest science surrounding the benefits of exercise for Parkinson’s, including whether exercise can alleviate some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s or slow the progressio...

In 1995, actor Christopher Reeve was injured in a horseback riding accident, leaving him quadriplegic - paralyzed from the shoulders down. He became a tireless advocate and a passionate supporter of research. 

Christopher’s dream was for those living with spinal cord injuries to have a better quality of life, and one day to walk again. 

More than 25 years later, thanks to advances in surgical approaches, neuroprotective drugs, and ge...

In the time that it takes to say this sentence – three seconds – someone in the world will develop dementia, a group of symptoms impacting memory, thinking, mood, behaviour and the ability to complete everyday tasks. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia.

With people living longer, even into their 90s and beyond, dementia is becoming the biggest and most consequential global health threat of our time. But, accord...

In a sweeping 2023 report, the US Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, declared loneliness an epidemic and a public health emergency.

According to the report, loneliness and isolation can lead to a significant increase in mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, as well as a nearly 30% increased risk of heart disease, stroke and among older adults, a 50% risk of dementia.

Around the world, there are eff...

We are once again bringing you inside UHN’s Krembil Brain Institute, one of North America's largest and most innovative neurological centres, to meet the scientists & physicians advancing discovery, the patients who inspire us, and the care teams who support them. 

This season, we’re exploring some big new research in brain health, including: What young women need to know about preventing a stroke, Can loneliness ...

Breathing exercises are simple techniques can help improve your overall well-being by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and increasing mindfulness. Listen to this original 5-minute 'Breathing Space' practice created by Dr. Kathryn Curtis for listeners of Your Complex Brain.

Dr. Kathryn Curtis is a clinical psychologist at the Comprehensive Integrated Pain Program at UHN, where she provides psychological serv...

Harry Forestell is a journalist with CBC Television. In 2013, he noticed a tremor in his right hand and was unsure what it was. It was later determined to be Parkinson's disease. He was referred to Dr. Tony Lang and the team at Toronto Western Hospital, a movement disorder clinic. They confirmed the diagnosis and began treatment. The symptoms of the disease began to worsen, and he was frustrated by the amount of focus and atte...

Fran Ryder is the president of the Ontario Women's Hockey Association and has been involved in women's hockey for many years. She has played and volunteered in various capacities in the sport. She has also been involved in research and initiatives related to spinal injuries and concussions in hockey, working closely with Dr. Charles Tator, a world-renowned neurosurgeon and researcher, on these initiatives. 

Dr. T...

Natalie Ladly is the president and fundraising chair for CDKL5 Canada. She lives in Heathcoate, a town outside of Collingwood, Ontario, with her husband Eric and their three children: Brynn, Reece, and Cullen. Brynn has CDD, a rare disease that prevents the brain from developing normally. She was diagnosed with the disease at nine months old, and since then, Natalie has been dedicated to raising awareness and funds for research. 

Jack Conway, a 19-year-old from Toronto, Canada, is a huge fan of video games and roller coasters. His family includes his mom, Kim, his dad, Steve, and his older brother, Brian. Jack plays a variety of video games, from Call of Duty to Minecraft, and he loves roller coasters. 

He also has a vision impairment due to a brain tumor he had when he was a baby. He was one of the first children in the world to receive a certain ...

Lindsay's mother Barbara had Alzheimer's disease. Lindsay, her brothers, and her father noticed changes in her mid-sixties. They started noticing her repeating herself and she stopped coming to the pool with them when they went to visit her and their dad in Florida. She also forgot where she parked her car and had to ask for help. Her memory was not what it used to be and she started to withdraw from social events.

Lara Pingue shares her story about living with chronic back pain and the challenges of getting a diagnosis and finding effective treatment. She describes the initial onset of her pain and the various treatments she tried, including physical therapy, chiropractic care, and prescription medications. 

She also discusses the impact of the pain on her daily life and the frustration of not being able to find a lasting solution. ...

As a child, Nikki experienced seizures that she did not realize were seizures. She would feel "other" and disconnected from the world. Her earliest seizure memory is from when she was six years old, triggered by looking out the window of her parent's house. She would sometimes go to the window to see if she would have a seizure.

Today, her seizures are still the same as when she was a child. They last about ...

Farrah Schwartz is the manager of Patient Education and Engagement at UHN. Her work entails assisting patients in actively participating in their care and improving organizational processes. The Patient Education and Engagement program provides resources, training, and coaching to help Team UHN engage patients in their care. They are also working on patient engagement within organizational improvement and partnering with equity-see...