A historic fundraising effort at Montreal’s famed Neurological Institute-Hospital has surpassed expectations, raising $203.9 million to support groundbreaking research, improved clinical tools and new technologies aimed at treating neurological disease. The Brains Need Open Minds campaign, the largest in The Neuro’s history, is now concluding after exceeding its original $200-million target and helping accelerate innovations that researchers say will improve the lives of patients in Canada and around the world.
The campaign funded a wide range of projects, from new approaches to spinal care to early detection tools for Alzheimer’s disease. It also supported major advances in cancer research and reinforced The Neuro’s global leadership in Open Science—an approach that encourages international collaboration by making data and discoveries freely accessible.
Among the campaign’s most visible impacts is CareAxis, a program created to reduce surgery wait times for Quebecers with spinal conditions. The initiative trains physiotherapists in clinics across the province to triage patients with back pain, allowing them to determine more efficiently whether surgery is necessary. By shifting assessments to frontline clinicians, CareAxis aims to reduce unnecessary referrals and shorten waitlists for patients who require specialized treatment.
The Neuro’s cancer research teams also advanced critical work on glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat brain tumours. Scientists have begun identifying abnormal signalling pathways in stem cells that drive the disease and have initiated drug-testing programs that could lead to therapies capable of slowing or stopping tumour growth. Similar progress is being observed in astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma research, supported by a new clinical trial designed to evaluate how a targeted drug acts in patient-derived cells and in live patients—a dual approach expected to deepen understanding of the drug’s effectiveness at the cellular level.
Technology innovation also featured prominently in the campaign’s achievements. Dr. Etienne de Villers-Sidani has developed an eye-tracking app that detects early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, providing quick, at-home assessments that he says can support earlier diagnosis and ongoing monitoring. Using AI software, also funded through philanthropy, his team identified patterns in eye movement that are unique to individuals with Alzheimer’s. The app now captures these patterns in new users, producing what he describes as “scientifically-sound evidence of disease and progression.”
Much of the research made possible through the campaign reflects The Neuro’s longstanding commitment to Open Science. Through initiatives such as DEMySTIFI, an open multiple sclerosis database housed within The Neuro’s Open Biobank, researchers worldwide can rapidly access high-quality data. By sharing information openly, The Neuro aims to accelerate therapeutic breakthroughs well beyond the borders of the institution.
One in three Canadians will face a brain disorder in their lifetime, according to Brain Canada, highlighting the urgent demand for improved treatments and diagnostic tools. With neurological conditions representing a growing share of healthcare needs, campaign leaders say the success of Brains Need Open Minds will help drive advances that can reach patients sooner.
“Brains Need Open Minds was the most ambitious fundraising campaign in The Neuro’s history, raising four times more funds than the previous campaign,” said Dr. Guy Rouleau, Director of The Neuro. “This money has already made a big impact on The Neuro and will continue to do so via our Open Science mission. Thank you to all the donors and volunteers, as well as everyone involved in this important achievement.”
Dr. de Villers-Sidani emphasized how donor funding directly accelerated the development of his Alzheimer’s technology. “Thanks to donorship, I was able to go forward with my Alzheimer’s eye-tracking device, which is now having a tangible impact on patients’ lives,” he said. “The support helped me bridge the gap between basic research and application, to bring benefits to people with neurodegenerative disease.”
Wendy Sculnick, Managing Director of Philanthropy at The Neuro, said the campaign’s success demonstrates the transformative role of donor support. “Philanthropy is more than a gift—it enables innovation, healing, and hope,” she said. “Donor support empowers researchers to unlock the mysteries of the brain and helps transform lives touched by neurological illness.”
Founded in 1934 by neurosurgeon Dr. Wilder Penfield, The Neuro is now Canada’s largest specialized neuroscience centre, integrating research, clinical care and training. As the first academic institute worldwide to fully adopt Open Science, it continues to position itself at the forefront of discovery and patient-centred innovation.
