Showing a Commitment to Science and Society
When Ontario’s Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Vijay Thanigasalam, better known as Vijay, visited the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) this year, the moment underscored a shared commitment: advancing mental health care through rigorous research and smart policy. His June tour of CAMH’s Queen Street site introduced him to the pioneering work underway in rTMS therapy within the Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention. A few months later, his return to CAMH, this time to the College Street campus, highlighted how research innovations translate into better patient care and stronger health systems.
Exploring CAMH’s Research Ecosystem
The minister’s research-focused tour showcased CAMH’s integrated approach to brain health, including brain imaging, pharmacogenetic testing, neuroinformatics, and longitudinal cohort research. These tools are advancing precision modelling, personalizing medicine, and informing system-level changes across Ontario’s mental health landscape.
Brain Health Imaging Centre: Mapping the Brain to Guide Treatment
The visit began in CAMH’s Brain Health Imaging Centre, where Chief Radiochemist Dr. Neil Vasdev led a behind-the-scenes look at the centre’s cutting-edge equipment. With two cyclotrons, two PET scanners, and an MRI machine, CAMH researchers map brain structure and activity to develop new treatments for mental illness, addictions, neurological conditions, and post-traumatic brain injury care. This imaging work is foundational to identifying who might benefit most from innovative therapies and how to monitor recovery over time.
Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics: Personalizing Prescriptions
In the Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics, Scientific Director Dr. Jim Kennedy discussed how genes influence medication response. Since its founding in 2012, the centre has advanced pharmacogenetic testing that moves medicine away from trial-and-error prescribing toward personalized care. Saliva-based tests help determine which psychiatric medications are most likely to work with fewer side effects, bringing precision medicine closer to routine clinical practice.
Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics: Harnessing Big Data and AI
At CAMH’s Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics (KCNI), Scientific Director Dr. Tristan Glatard and his team explained how big data, artificial intelligence, and brain modelling converge to deepen our understanding of mental illness. KCNI is renowned for its open-science ethos and its leadership in integrating diverse datasets to inform diagnosis, prognosis, and personalized interventions. The minister’s engagement with KCNI underscored the importance of data-driven decision-making in mental health policy and care delivery.
Focusing on Youth: The TAY Cohort Study
CAMH highlighted the one-of-a-kind Transition-Age Youth (TAY) Cohort study, directed by Dr. Nicole Kozloff and supported by Youth Engagement Coordinator Thalia Phi. This longitudinal study tracks 1,500 young people over five years to understand how symptoms of mental illness emerge, identify those at highest risk, and determine how to improve supports and outcomes. The insights from the TAY Cohort inform prevention strategies, early intervention, and programs that resonate with youth and families.
Looking Ahead: From Discovery to Care
CAMH’s leadership in research not only strengthens Ontario’s health system but also offers a hopeful blueprint for patient-centered care. The partnership with policy makers like Minister Thanigasalam ensures that scientific advances are paired with effective policy and sustainable funding. As CAMH prepares for the grand opening of the Temerty Discovery Centre in 2027, the aim is clear: consolidate research and clinical care in a single facility to accelerate breakthroughs and improve access to evidence-based treatments across the province.
With continued collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and government partners, CAMH remains at the forefront of mental health innovation — turning scientific discovery into real-life improvements for people living with mental illness, addictions, or neurological conditions in Ontario and beyond.
