Development of new therapies to treat cognitive disorders that affect attention, decision-making and emotions

Dr. Shirley Fecteau holds the Canada Research Chair in Neuroplasticity and is studying the effects of transcranial magnetic and electrical stimulation approaches to treat conditions such as alcoholism, smoking, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. Although this type of therapy, which involves passing a low intensity electric current between electrodes placed on the scalp, is effective in treating many of these conditions, the mechanisms underlying its action are not well known.

Dr. Fecteau's studies have shown that the passage of a weak electric current in the brain affects the level of several molecules, including activating neurotransmitters, during treatment. This discovery could explain how transcranial stimulation affects the behavior, symptoms, and neuronal activity of people who are treated repeatedly.

Transcranial stimulation is a particularly interesting approach to treating people in whom conventional treatments, such as mood-regulating drugs, do not work. Pre Fecteau is particularly focused on developing treatments for people with refractory alcohol, tobacco or other drug use disorders.