Research Programs

Brain Banks

Learn about the Canadian Concussion Centre and the CLF Global Brain Bank which are accelerating CTE research around the globe.

Pledge Your Brain

Research Partnership

Advancing CTE Research in Canada

In 2023, the Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada partnered with the Canadian Concussion Centre (CCC) to advance CTE research in Canada. Based at Toronto Western Hospital (part of UHN), the CCC is led by internationally acclaimed concussion expert Dr. Charles Tator, and pathology leaders Dr. Gabor Kovacs and Dr. Carmela Tartaglia.

The Canadian Concussion Centre (CCC) is based at the Toronto Western Hospital and is part of the Krembil Brain Institute at University Health Network. The CCC is led by internationally acclaimed concussion expert, Dr. Charles Tator. The team includes world leaders in brain injuries, imaging, genetics, clinical care, neuropsychology, and psychiatry working together to diagnose and treat persisting symptoms of concussions and to do the research necessary to improve the diagnosis and treatment of concussions and their consequences.

The CCC has the only Hospital/University Chair in Concussion Research in Canada, the Marion and Gerald Soloway Chair, held by Dr. Carmela Tartaglia since 2017.

2023

Partnership Founded

Our Impact

0 Reasons for Hope

In Canada, we are fortunate to work with scientists and physicians from around the globe to advance our mission. Our pathology work in Canada is led by Dr. Gabor Kovacs and is facilitated by Dr. Carmela Tartaglia and her team at the Canadian Concussion Centre.

More than 1,700 generous individuals and families have donated tissue to the UNITE Brain Bank, our US partner, creating the world’s largest CTE repository. This generosity has laid the foundation for incredible discoveries about the long term consequences of brain trauma.

Thanks to these Legacy Families, we have compiled a diverse collection of donated tissue proving CTE is not only a problem for football, but for any sport with routine head impacts, as well as military Veterans.

JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY

A Precious Gift Begins a Journey of Discovery

It all begins with the incredible gift of a donated brain. This generosity lays the foundation for understanding brain trauma.

Upon arrival, the donated tissue is carefully studied and analyzed for evidence of all known brain diseases, including CTE. Researchers also conduct extensive interviews with friends and family of the Legacy Donor to understand what they were like in life, providing context for the tissue analysis.

The tissue is then stored and samples are made available to leading researchers around the world. Every donation is an invaluable contribution to our collective understanding of brain health.

Join the Brain Donation Registry

Note

All brain donation inquiries are handled by Dr. Carmela Tartaglia’s clinical team at the Canadian Concussion Centre. For inquiries about brain donation, brain donors or their family members should contact:

Nusrat Sadia

Clinical Research Assistant

[email protected]

Global Network

About the CLF Global Brain Bank

The mission of the Concussion Legacy Foundation Global Brain Bank is to accelerate research by collaborating with leading scientists at brain banks around the globe to understand, prevent, treat, and eventually cure CTE and other consequences of sports-related brain trauma.

The Problem

CTE is a global problem, but due to a lack of brain tissue, few researchers outside the United States can study CTE, creating a lack of awareness that CTE exists outside the U.S. CTE has been diagnosed in athletes with a history of playing global sports such a football (soccer), rugby, and ice hockey, and in countries including Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil. We urgently need answers, and the Global Brain Bank activates scientists from every corner of the globe in the fight against CTE.

CLINICAL REACH

Evidence & International Role

Brain bank research is providing undeniable evidence

The findings of the Canadian Concussion Centre and the CLF Global Brain Bank are published in peer-reviewed medical journals, and have created an undeniable body of evidence that repetitive brain trauma can lead to the devastating neurodegenerative disease CTE. The legacies of more than 600 confirmed cases of CTE highlight the need for a better approach to managing and responding to brain trauma. The evidence has silenced those denying a link between brain trauma and CTE, winning endorsements from high ranking members of the National Institute of Health.

The Concussion Legacy Foundation’s role

The Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada continues to support the Canadian Concussion Centre through leading outreach, recruiting, and educational efforts. CLF also leads international outreach, recruiting and education efforts for all members of the CLF Global Brain Bank. Lisa McHale, one of our American colleagues, acts as CLF’s Director of Legacy Family Relations, exclusively supporting Legacy Donor families through the donation process and beyond.

“I don’t think there’s any wiggle room. It’s pretty clear this is due to head injury. I don’t think there’s any question that it’s related to head injury.”

– Dr. Walter Koroshetz, National Institute of Health

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