History of Research at Baycrest

Since 1918, Baycrest has been devoted to enriching the quality of life of the elderly by providing care that is designed to specifically meet their needs and the needs of their families. In the mid 1980’s, the Board of Directors recognized Baycrest’s increasing role as an academic centre, and its unique and largely untapped expertise in the field of caring for the elderly. As a result, Baycrest’s mission statement was revised in 1983 to include “research and education in aging and finding better ways to meet the needs of the aged” as one of three key factors to achieving the overall goal of providing leadership in the development and delivery of the highest quality of service to the elderly in accordance with the values and principles of Judaism.

In June 1986, the implementation of a research program was recommended to move Baycrest to the next stage in the evolution of its research initiatives and to accelerate the fulfillment of its overall goal of becoming a leader in geriatric care. The formal research program was inaugurated in January 1989 with the opening of the Rotman Research Institute (RRI) and the appointment of Dr. Donald Stuss as its Director.

Once the RRI had established its fundamental science programs, the focus of research at Baycrest was expanded to include translating findings from basic research into clinical practice, including evaluation of current treatment practices and exploring new ways for improvement of the quality of life of the elderly. The key initiative of this new focus was the creation of the Kunin-Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit (KLARU) – an independent unit aimed at conducting applied clinical research. Established in 1996 with the integration of the existing Clinical Evaluation Unit and the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, KLARU was formally inaugurated in 1998 with the appointment of its first Director, Dr. David L. Streiner.

Rotman Research Institute (RRI) – Excellence in Cognitive Neuroscience

The mission of the RRI is to promote effective care and improved quality of life of the elderly through research into the behavioural changes associated with the aging process. The primary research focus is on memory and the executive (frontal lobe) functions of the brain, both in normal aging and in the presence of diseases and conditions that affect the brain, such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

The philosophy of the RRI is to achieve excellence in multidisciplinary research using the highest calibre staff. From its inception, the RRI has been determined to recruit the best researchers in the field through the use of a rigorous selection process governed by strict scientific and academic criteria. This commitment to excellence is evidenced in the credentials, achievements and recognition of the RRI's scientific staff.

An interdisciplinary approach to aging is a key factor to the RRI’s success. By promoting collaboration among scientists of varying expertise from behavioural neurology to cognitive rehabilitation to neuropharmacology more comprehensive research is ensured. One approach to maintaining collaboration within the institute is through regularly scheduled research rounds that foster the convergence of ideas and expertise within the institute and at Baycrest. However, the emphasis on an interdisciplinary approach does not stop here as RRI actively encourages the establishment of associations both nationally and internationally as well. This dynamism is evident in the research networks in which RRI often plays an integral role, in addition to the various external affiliations maintained by scientists, whether it is through common grants, goals or research initiatives. It is an approach to research that crosses traditional university and research institute boundaries, which in turn has cultivated RRI’s national and international stature.

As a leader in its field, the RRI fulfills its responsibility of disseminating the knowledge obtained from the outstanding research conducted at the Institute through annual conferences focusing on a variety of topics. The RRI organizes conferences that have served as a platform for RRI scientists and scientists from various countries to showcase their latest research. These conferences have become the premier event to attend for the scientific community as is confirmed by the steadily increasing attendance of an average of 400 attendees per year from around the world. Kunin-Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit – Improving Clinical Care The mission of the KLARU is to foster excellence in clinically applied research focused on the prevention, rehabilitation, treatment, and overall care of impairments and disabilities arising from the natural course of aging and from disorders associated with aging. The research undertaken by KLARU scientists span a variety of disciplines including epidemiology, geriatric medicine, psychiatry, neurology, psychology, nutrition, nursing, social work, and occupational therapy.

The Rotman Research Institute has established itself as a leading institute for the study of cognitive neuroscience. RRI researchers have made significant contributions in enriching the body of knowledge in this field, either through the dissemination of knowledge by way of scientific publications, conferences, and the development of innovative imaging and rehabilitative techniques. The growing expertise, resources, and collaborative networks at the RRI have captured worldwide attention as a model of excellence in research and will continue to do so in the future as the RRI builds on its strengths.