Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

This study is for people with a specific type of breast cancer (HER2-positive) that has spread to the lining of the brain and spinal cord. It tests whether adding a targeted drug combination (tucatinib, trastuzumab, and capecitabine) to radiation therapy can help control the dise…

This early-stage study tests whether a special helmet using sound waves can safely open a temporary door in the brain's protective barrier to deliver an anti-inflammatory drug (IVIg) directly to the motor cortex in people with ALS. Only 6 adults with ALS will take part. The main …

This study tests a different way of giving the chemotherapy drug temozolomide to elderly patients (65+) with a type of brain cancer called glioblastoma that has a marker making standard treatment less effective. The goal is to see if this modified daily schedule can help slow the…

This study looks at whether a simple genetic test can help doctors pick the right blood thinner for people who have had a stroke due to narrowed arteries in the brain. Some people's genes make the standard drug, clopidogrel, less effective. The study will compare the usual approa…

This study tests whether doing simple throat and mouth exercises can help people with obstructive sleep apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP machines. Researchers will enroll 45 adults and randomly assign them to supervised exercises, unsupervised exercises, or a sham (fake) routine fo…

This study tests whether cannabis is a safe and practical treatment for restless legs syndrome (RLS), a condition that causes uncomfortable leg sensations and disrupts sleep. Thirty adults with moderate-to-severe RLS will receive either cannabis or a placebo for 8 weeks. Research…

This small pilot study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS can reduce apathy—a common loss of interest and enthusiasm—in people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment. Ten participants will receive rTMS, some also taking a medication called me…

This study tests whether giving duloxetine (an antidepressant that also eases pain) before and after knee replacement surgery can lower the need for opioids. About 150 adults with knee osteoarthritis will take duloxetine or a placebo, and researchers will track their pain, opioid…

This early study is testing whether a natural supplement called fisetin is safe for older adults with mild Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment. Only 5 people will take part, and the main goal is to check for side effects. It is a very small, first-step study to see i…

This small study tests whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy (breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber) can reduce fatigue and other symptoms in people with post-COVID syndrome. Researchers will also see if a larger study is practical. About 40 adults with long COVID and chroni…

This study is testing a new MRI technique that uses a special substance called hyperpolarized pyruvate to take pictures of the heart's energy use. It involves up to 112 adults with high blood pressure, thickened heart muscle, or heart failure. The goal is to see if this method ca…

This study compares two antiseptic skin preparations (chlorhexidine-alcohol vs. povidone-iodine) used before revision hip or knee replacement surgery to reduce bacteria on the skin. The main goal is to see which one better prevents the need for another surgery due to infection or…

This study uses brain scans to see how psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) changes brain activity in people with depression. Fifty adults with major depression will receive either psilocybin or a placebo during two treatment sessions, with MRI scans taken right …

This study looks at whether a sample of spinal fluid can find cancer cells or DNA from tumors that have spread to the brain or spinal cord. Researchers will collect fluid from 60 people with solid tumors, some with brain involvement and some without. The goal is to see if this li…

This study is looking at how often breast cancer that has spread to the brain can be found early with an MRI in people with certain high-risk types (triple negative or HER2+ stage IIb or III). About 100 participants will get a brain MRI, give a blood sample, and answer a question…