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Shaping the Future of Mental Health: Insights from Dr. Nir Lipsman, 2024 Royal-Mach-Gaensslen Prize Recipient

Dr. Nir Lipsman

Dr. Nir Lipsman discusses groundbreaking research and innovative approaches in mental health care.

Dr. Nir Lipsman, chief of the Garry Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program is transforming mental health care. Recently awarded the 2024 RoyalMachGaensslen Prize for Mental Health Research, he is a global leader in psychiatric neuromodulation, working to revolutionize treatments for challenging conditions like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As Director of the Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, his groundbreaking research is offering hope to patients with hard-to-treat disorders. In this Q&A, he shares insights into his work and its profound impact on the future of mental health care.

Sunnybrook Foundation: Tell us a little about your groundbreaking work.

Dr. Lipsman: This award means a great deal to me, and I’m incredibly grateful!

My team and I have focused on helping people with treatment-resistant conditions like severe alcohol use disorder, PTSD, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and depression. We’ve led pioneering trials using innovative treatments like deep brain stimulation (DBS) and MRI-guided focused ultrasound, offering hope to patients who haven’t found relief through traditional therapies.

Sunnybrook Foundation: Your work in deep brain stimulation (DBS) offers patients hope where other treatments have failed. Can you explain what that involves and why it’s so important?

Dr. Lipsman: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) uses implanted electrodes to regulate abnormal brain activity, showing promise for severe depression, OCD, and other hard-to-treat conditions. What’s exciting is our work with DBS electrodes “sense” brain activity in real-time, personalizing treatment. We’ve also conducted the world’s first DBS trials for alcohol use disorder and PTSD, providing a new avenue for recovery where other treatments have fallen short.

Sunnybrook Foundation: What makes your work with focused ultrasound and other non-invasive treatments unique?

Dr. Lipsman: Focused ultrasound is a breakthrough in non-invasive treatment, targeting deep brain structures without surgery. In a landmark study, we used MRI-guided focused ultrasound to treat severe OCD and depression, offering a game-changing option for patients who can’t undergo traditional surgery. We’re also exploring innovative treatments like psychedelics and esketamine, which could transform mental health care.

Sunnybrook Foundation: You’ve been instrumental in building Canada’s first multi-disciplinary psychiatric neuromodulation clinic within the new Garry Hurvitz Brain Sciences Centre. How does this collaboration benefit patients?

Dr. Lipsman: I’m really proud of this and the support and recognition as the inaugural Harquail Chair in Neuromodulation. Located within the new Garry Hurvitz Brain Sciences Centre, the Harquail Centre for Neuromoduation brings together experts in neurosurgery, psychiatry, and psychology. This collaboration allows us to provide comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of a patient’s condition. It’s not just about treatment—it’s about building a strong support system for patients and their families, all within an innovative, state-of-the-art facility that fosters groundbreaking research and care.

exterior of the newly opened Garry Hurvitz Brain Sciences Centre
Exterior of the newly opened Garry Hurvitz Brain Sciences Centre

Sunnybrook Foundation: What’s next for your research and the Harquail Centre for Neuromodulation?

Dr. Lipsman: We’re currently conducting 14 clinical trials at the Harquail Centre, exploring treatments like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), deep brain stimulation (DBS), and focused ultrasound for disorders resistant to traditional treatments. Our focus is on providing new, effective options for patients with mental health conditions that haven’t responded to conventional therapies.

A women sits in a repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation machine
Patient receiving transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

Learn about the impactful research & patient care at the Garry Hurvitz Brain Sciences Centre.