For the last three decades, CAMH has been a world leader in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging for clinical research on mental health, addictions, and brain disorders. The current imaging facility, located at the College Street site, will be relocating (estimated in 2027) to the new Research & Discovery Centre as part of the final phase of the redevelopment of CAMH’s Queen Street West campus. Once the new facility is operational, the College Street site will be closed.
PET is a widely used medical imaging technique that uses short-lived radioactive molecules to study disruptions in brain chemistry associated with aging or disease. CAMH researchers also use PET to study treatments for psychiatric and other brain disorders. The new facility will house two cyclotrons (mini particle accelerator) and laboratories for the production of the short-lived radioactive molecules that are used to produce the imaging substances. In addition to the PET imaging devices, the CAMH Brain Health Imaging Centre will also have a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner to provide additional information about brain structure and function.
The CAMH cyclotron facility is licensed by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). The facility and its operating procedures are regularly inspected by the CNSC to ensure safety of the staff, the public and the environment. This equipment is safe and is currently operated in over 1,500 healthcare and research facilities around the world, including two others in Toronto and several across Canada.
Looking for more information
CAMH provides regular information to the public and specific stakeholders about the activities of its Brain Health Imaging Centre and their impact on the lives of individuals with mental illness or addictions. That information includes scientific and medical advances, funding announcements, and expansion of the program. CAMH also provides information related to the health and safety of persons living near the Brain Health Imaging Centre facility and to the environment.
Our public information and disclosure protocol can be accessed at: https://www.camh.ca/-/media/files/camhbhic-c2-public-information-protocol-pdf.pdf
You can find more information about the Brain Health Imaging Centre and the Azrieli Centre for Neuro-radiochemistry on the CAMH website:
- https://www.camh.ca/en/science-and-research/institutes-and-centres/brain-health-imaging-centre
- https://www.camh.ca/en/science-and-research/institutes-and-centres/azrieli-centre-for-neuro-radiochemistry
If you have questions, please email us at redevelopment.feedback@camh.ca.