EpLink's Legacy Page - DRAFT

The Epilepsy Research Program of the Ontario Brain Institute

Introduction

EpLink was established in 2011 under the leadership of co-directors Dr. McIntyre Burnham and Dr. Jorge Burneo with a mission to reduce seizures and improve the quality of life for people with epilepsy through research. With a grand vision of a world without epilepsy, EpLink's research focused on developing more effective drug therapies, improving diet therapies and surgical procedures, uncovering new treatment options with gene therapy and brain stimulation, and creating new programs to improve cognition, mood, and quality of life for individuals living with uncontrolled seizures.

Mission/history

EpLink spanned across 25 lead researchers from 7 hospitals and universities across Ontario including:

- University of Toronto

- University Health Network

- Sick Childrens Hospital

- McMaster University

- Hamilton Health Sciences

- Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario

- Western University

- London Health Sciences Centre


CONNECT's Reach

CONNECT's work integrated many research centres across the province together with a shared mission, including:

Head Injury Clinic, St. Michael's Hospital

Hull-Ellis Concussion & Research Clinic, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute

Canadian Concussion Centre, Toronto Western Hospital

Health Sciences North, Sudbury

Hamilton Health Sciences

Fowler-Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic

Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

The Ottawa Hospital

Parkwood Acquired Brain Injury

Lakehead University


EpLink's Impact Throughout the Years

EpLink created many knowledge translation tools and resources for those living with epilepsy and their support partners

Highlighted Publications

  1. Collett, E., Wang, T., Todd, C., Dosaj, A., Baker, A., & Hunt, C. (2023). Enhanced education for adult patients with persistent post-concussion headaches: a randomized controlled trial. Concussion.
  2. Langer, L., Bayley, M., Levy, C., Munce, S., Lawrence, D., Tam, A., & De Oliveira, C. (2022). Medical care among individuals with a concussion in Ontario: A population-based study. Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien Des Sciences Neurologiques, 1-33. doi:10.1017/cjn.2022.346
  3. Robinson, M., Johnson, A. M., Fischer, L. K., & MacKenzie, H. M. (2022). Two Symptoms to Triage Acute Concussions: Using Decision Tree Modeling to Predict Prolonged Recovery After a Concussion. American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation, 101(2), 135–138. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.00...

Acknowledgements

CONNECT would like to thank the following groups for their leadership in supporting the Concussion Network of Ontario.

CONNECT Executive Committee:

  • Andrew Baker, MD, FRCPC
  • Carmela Tartaglia, MD, FRCPC
  • Lisa Fischer, MD
  • Mark Bayley, MD, FRCPC
  • Roger Zemek, MD, FRCPC
  • Vicki Kristman, PhD

CONNECT Platform Leads:

  • Carmela Tartaglia, MD, FRCPC
  • James Hutchinson, MD, FRCPC
  • Karl Zabjek, PhD
  • Michael Cusimano, MD, FRCSC, DABNS, FACS, PhD, MHPE
  • Michael Hutchinson, PhD
  • Nick Reed, PhD
  • Robin Green, PhD
  • Shawn Marshall, MD, FRCPC
  • Thomas Hoshizaki, PhD
  • Tom Schweizer, PhD

CONNECT Management Team:

  • Cindy Hunt, Dr. PH, RN
  • David Murty, BSc
  • Justina Zych, BSc
  • Sibel Naska, PhD