Queen’s University Archives

Unravelling the links between substance use and binge-like eating disorders

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The researchers explore the role of brain reward systems in eating disorders and substance use disorders.

Binge eating disorder (BED) and substance use disorders (SUD) are characterised by maladaptive responses in the reward system of the brain. Dr Mary C Olmstead at Queen’s University, Canada, and Dr Katia Befort, University of Strasbourg, France, are using rodent models to explore how a part of the reward system, called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), affects the two conditions. They hope […]

Change agents: Professional development for adult educators

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Research by Dr Alexandra Youmans into how school boards in Ontario have developed a programme to facilitate collaboration between school boards to increase accessibility to adult education and improve outcomes for adult learners.

How can the professional development of staff be used to bring about lasting change in adult and continuing education (A&CE)? That’s the question behind new research from Canada led by Dr Alexandra Youmans of Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada, and Dr Lorraine Godden of Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. They look at how school boards in eastern Ontario have come together to […]

Blood–brain communication: Essential for regulation of autonomic nervous system and optimal health?

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Professor Alastair V Ferguson researches blood–brain communication and s has focused on understanding how our brain controls many critical variables – including glucose, oxygen, blood pressure and electrolytes to maintain optimal body function and avoid issues with hypertension or obesity.

Professor Alastair V Ferguson leads an interdisciplinary neuroscience research group at Queens University in Canada, studying the central nervous system with a specific focus on understanding changes in brain function associated with hypertension and obesity. More specifically, the group’s recent studies have focused on understanding how our brain controls many critical variables – including glucose, oxygen, blood pressure and electrolytes […]

Serious illness decision-making:
How do you plan for uncertainty?

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The long-term health outcomes for COVID-19 patients are still uncertain.

The death toll from the current COVID-19 pandemic rises every day. Symptoms can range from a cough to severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Thinking about future medical care is now more relevant than ever before. However, planning for death under conditions of certainty is not the same as planning for a serious illness, where the outcome is more […]