Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute

Common treatment for multiple sclerosis may prolong life

Researchers from the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute have found that a widely prescribed drug for multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with longer survival for patients.

Mar 18, 2019

The study found that the most dangerous time for pedestrians on Halloween was between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Pedestrian fatalities increase on Halloween, particularly among children

Children are more likely to be fatally struck by a vehicle on Halloween than on other nights of the year, according to new research led by the University of British Columbia.

Oct 30, 2018

Drug created from malaria parasite shows promise as bladder cancer treatment

A drug created from a malaria protein stopped tumour growth of chemotherapy-resistant bladder cancer, offering hope for cancer patients not responding to standard treatments.

Apr 20, 2017

Social clubs fill gap in dementia support

Community-based social groups could play a crucial role in empowering people with early-onset dementia, according to new UBC research.

May 3, 2016

Potential prostate cancer treatment developed in B.C. gets big boost

A potential treatment for advanced prostate cancer developed by the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) scientists has been licensed to pharmaceutical company Roche, marking UBC’s largest licensing agreement to date.

Dec 15, 2015

Destructive disease shows potential as a cancer treatment

Scientists at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver Coastal Health and the BC Cancer Agency have discovered a protein from malaria that could one day help stop cancer in its tracks.

Oct 13, 2015

Aerobic exercise is as good for the older brain as it is for the body

Break out the sweatbands and the oldies – 60 minutes of good old-fashioned aerobic exercise may be more potent than any pill to reduce older adults’ risk of cognitive decline due to mini-strokes, according to research by Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute and UBC.

Jul 23, 2015

Scientists pinpoint brain-swelling mechanism

A team of UBC researchers has made a significant discovery uncovering the cause of brain swelling after trauma to the head.

Apr 23, 2015

Researchers discover how to target and disable ‘bad apple’ proteins

UBC researchers have developed a technique that targets proteins that cause disease and destroys “bad apples” in the cell.

Feb 21, 2014

Researchers discover how ALS spreads

UBC researchers have found how the devastating disease ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, spreads — and say transmission can be blocked.

Feb 17, 2014

New research shows that seniors who participated in cardio or weight training incurred fewer health care resources.

Cardio and weight training reduces access to health care in seniors

Forget apples – lifting weights and doing cardio can also keep the doctors away, according a new study by researchers at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute.

May 14, 2013

Alzheimer's researcher reveals a protein's dual destructiveness – and therapeutic potential

A scientist at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health has identified the molecule that controls a scissor-like protein responsible for the production of plaques – the telltale sign of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Dec 3, 2012

Some MS patients experience “natural” improvements in disability: UBC-VCH research

Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients sometimes experience “natural” improvements in disability at least over the short term, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute.

Oct 17, 2012

Combination of blood thinning drugs shown to be ineffective as stroke preventer

An international team led by a neurologist at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health has shown that a combination of aspirin and clopidogrel, both common blood thinners, does not prevent recurrence of a common type of stroke, and may even pose serious risks.

Sep 7, 2012

Widely prescribed MS treatment may not slow progression of disease: Vancouver Coastal Health and UBC Research

Researchers with the UBC Hospital MS Clinic and Brain Research Centre at Vancouver Coastal Health and the University of British Columbia have published important data in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) about the impact of a common drug therapy on the progression of multiple sclerosis for people with the relapse-remitting form of the disease.

Jul 17, 2012

Inhalable nitric oxide shown safe as potential anti-microbial treatment: UBC-VCH research

Results from a clinical study by a UBC-Vancouver Coastal Health research team have increased hope for a new, effective and inexpensive anti-microbial treatment using inhalable nitric oxide.

Jul 3, 2012

Parkinson’s disease gene identified with help of Mennonite family: UBC-VCH research

An international team led by human genetic researchers at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health has identified the latest gene associated with typical late-onset Lewy body Parkinson’s disease (PD), with the help of a Canadian Mennonite family of Dutch-German-Russian ancestry.

Jun 27, 2012

Multiple sclerosis patients have lower risk of cancer: UBC-VCH research

Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients appear to have a lower cancer risk, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health. The […]

Jun 21, 2012

Preventing dementia: new research by VCH and UBC shows the trajectory of cognitive decline can be altered in seniors at risk for dementia

Cognitive decline is a pressing global health care issue. Worldwide, one case of dementia is detected every seven seconds. Mild cognitive impairment is a well recognized risk factor for dementia, and represents a critical window of opportunity for intervening and altering the trajectory of cognitive decline in seniors.

Apr 23, 2012

Federal and provincial ministers break ground for UBC-VCH brain health centre

Representatives of the federal and provincial governments today marked the start of construction of a new centre at UBC that will unite brain research and patient care.

Oct 11, 2011