Montreal Neurological Institute

Founded in 1934 by Dr. Wilder Penfield with a $1.2 million grant from the Rockefeller Foundation of New York and the support of the government of Quebec, the city of Montreal, and private donors, the Montreal Neurological Institute is a health centre in Montreal Canada dedicated to the study of the nervous system and neurological diseases. It is a teaching and research institute of McGill University. The Montreal Neurological Hospital is one of five teaching hospitals of the McGill University Health Centre.

In 1952, Montreal businessman and major city benefactor John W. McConnell donated the funds to install x-ray machines and to build operating rooms as well as additional beds. The world-class McConnell Brain Imaging Centre in the Webster Pavillion, donated by the R. Howard Webster Foundation, is home to one of the largest scientific communities in North America dedicated exclusively to research imaging of the human brain.

Research activity is centered in twelve separate yet interconnected research units focused on the full spectrum of contemporary neuroscience. Among the MNI's internationally recognized strengths are its groups in Epilepsy Research and Treatment, the McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Neuropsychology, Neuroimmunology, Complex Neural Systems, and Neuromuscular Disease.

Extensive molecular and cellular biology is carried out in these and two other dedicated centres, the Centre for Neuronal Survival and the Cell Biology of Excitable Tissues Group. The latest research group focuses on trying to find the underlying causes and improved therapies and treatments for Brain Tumours. This group works in the new Brain Tumour Research Centre, which also houses the de Grandpré Communications Centre, a high tech videoconferencing and telecommunications centre.

In addition, the MNI's clinical partner, the Montreal Neurological Hospital, provides a setting for conducting translational research and for applying the fruits of basic science research to the care of patients suffering from neurological diseases.

Notable achievements

 * First and only neurological institute and hospital in Canada
 * First CT Scanner, PET system and MRI in Canada
 * Developed the "Montreal procedure" for the surgical treatment of epilepsy

Facilities:

 * 6 major additions to the original Rockefeller Pavilion (1934):
 * McConnell Wing (1952)
 * Penfield Pavilion (1978)
 * Webster Pavilion (1985)
 * Molson Pavilion (1996)
 * Brain Tumour Research Centre (2002)
 * Clinical Research Unit (2004)
 * Brain Imaging Centre: 4 MRI, 3 PET, 1 CT scanner
 * 4 operating rooms
 * 96 patient beds
 * 9 specialty day clinics
 * Library: 241 journals, over 7300 books
 * 337-seat Jeanne Timmins Amphitheatre
 * 76-seat de Grandpré Communications Centre (tele- and video-conferencing facility)