Brain, Behaviour & Development | Lab, Project & Program Websites

When a child’s cancer returns after conventional treatment, families often find themselves in uncharted territory — scared, exhausted, and grasping for answers. But thanks to a remarkable collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and national research networks, new pediatric cancer treatment options are emerging.

Infants born two to four months early are exposed to mildly painful procedures in the NICU that are essential to monitor their health. As research shows that exposure to daily pain is associated with poorer behavioural and cognitive outcomes later in life, a common pain management strategy is to give those babies sucrose, but a BCCHR study shows evidence that a sugar solution doesn’t reduce these negative effects of pain exposure in the long term.

For World Sickle Cell Awareness Day we are highlighting this genetically inherited disorder and the unmet needs of the patients and their families.

Concussions are brain injuries that can have serious effects — especially in children, whose brains are still developing. Dr. Shelina Babul, creator of the Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT), explains why early recognition and proper care are essential — allowing kids to recover safely and get back to life, school, and doing what they love.

A recent study led by Dr. Osman Ipsiroglu found evidence that sleep-wake behaviours are characteristics associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism. Additionally, a family history of iron deficiency increases the risk of sleep-wake disorders.