Beverley A. Orser

Dr. Beverley Orser’s research goal is to identify the molecular mechanisms of general anesthetic drugs and anesthetic drug-related brain disorders. Her current studies focus on understanding the causes of adverse long-term effects of exposure to anesthetic drugs on brain function. She has identified new populations of anesthetic-sensitive inhibitory receptors in the brain, which are targets for novel therapeutics. Dr. Orser’s preclinical research offered fundamental insights into the molecular basis of anesthesia, including the longer-term effects of exposure to anesthetic drugs. Her laboratory first demonstrated the unique pharmacological properties of extrasynaptic GABA-A receptors and identified novel roles for these receptors in health and disease. From a clinical perspective, Dr. Orser has contributed to patient safety guidelines, recommendations for ‘best practices’, and helped develop the first nomenclature for perioperative neurocognitive deficits.

Dr. Orser co-established the world’s first Perioperative Brain Health Centre (www.perioperativebrainhealth.com) and co-led a collaboration between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the International Anesthesia Research Society (SmartTots.org). She also co-founded several patient safety organizations, including ISMP Canada (www.ismp-canada.org), and the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society Quality & Patient Safety Committee.

Education

• MD, Queen’s University, Canada
• PhD, anesthesia, University of Toronto, Canada

Appointments & Affiliations

• Affiliate Scientist, Biological Sciences, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute
• Staff Anesthesiologist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
• Professor, Department of Physiology, University of Toronto
• Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, U of T
• Chair, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, U of T