Centre for Brain and Behaviour
Centre development history:
The Centre for Brain and Behaviour has evolved from the former Brain and Behaviour program in the Research Institute. This multidisciplinary research program was formed in 1998 as part of the matrix system. The Brain and Behaviour program developed into one of the strongest programs in the Research Institute because of a seamless integration between the diverse research domains within the program which included cellular and molecular neurobiology, integrative neurobiology, sensory neurobiology, behavioural science, and neuroimaging research. This seamless integration was achieved by a tireless effort to encourage constant communication between people with interests in very different aspects of brain function such that it became the natural thing to do.
Three things happened in 2006 which afforded the opportunity to extend this philosophy of seamless integration of diverse interests in the brain into the clinical arena. The first was the reorganization of the Research Institute into seven research programs of which one, the Program in Neuroscience & Mental Health, is a newer version of the old Brain andBehaviour Program. Second was the designation of Brain and Behaviour as an Area of Focus by the SickKids Executive. Third was the formation of the Centre concept by the SickKids Executive as a hospital strategic direction. Dr. Snead, formerly the head of the Research Program in Brain and Behaviour, is leading the development of the Centre for Brain and Behaviour.