Headshot of Dr. Lanctot

Krista L. Lanctôt

PhD
Senior Scientist, Bernick Chair in Geriatric Psychopharmacology
krista.lanctot@sunnybrook.ca

Research Assistant:

Danielle Vieira

Research Assistant:

Diane Dwarka

Neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with illness include mood changes, apathy, aggression and cognitive changes. These are common sequelae of many central nervous system disorders such as dementia, cerebrovascular disease and stroke. Dr. Lanctôt’s goal is to be a world leader in the discovery of precision medicine approaches to treat these neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Her research addresses this goal by determining the underlying neurobiology of neuropsychiatric symptoms, examining predictors of treatment response, using novel pharmacological agents and carefully considering adverse drug events. Dr. Lanctôt’s early focus was on the neurobiology of behavioural disorders associated with dementia. The goal of this research was to determine if behavioural subtypes can be linked to underlying neurochemical or neuropathologic dysfunction. A variety of tools including neuroimaging, serum biomarkers and pharmacologic challenges are used in combination with pharmacotherapeutic trials. Her group also identifies and assesses novel pharmacologic, neurostimulation, exercise and dietary interventions for neuropsychiatric symptoms.

This research will contribute to our understanding of the link between dysfunction in various neurotransmitters, proteins, lipids and metabolites and neuropsychiatric symptoms. As such, it may provide the background for novel therapies and allow Dr. Lanctôt’s team to advance precision medicine in this area.

  • Hons BSc, 1985, Toxicology, University of Toronto
  • MSc, 1989, Pharmacology, University of Toronto
  • PhD, 1998, Pharmacology, University of Toronto
  • Senior Scientist, Evaluative Clinical Sciences, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program
  • Director, Geriatric Psychopharmacology Research Group, Sunnybrook Research Institute
  • Bernick Chair in Geriatric Pyschopharmacology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
  • Research Co-Director, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
  • Professor Departments of Psychiatry and of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
  • Vice Chair, Basic and Clinical Sciences, Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

Research Foci

  • Medication, neurostimulation, dietary and exercise intervention
  • Neuroimaging, serum protein, lipid and metabolite biomarkers
  • Neuropsychiatric symptoms secondary to central nervous system pathology

Affiliated Labs & Programs

Selected Publications

  1. Mintzer J, Lanctôt KL, Scherer RW, Rosenberg PB, Herrmann N, van Dyck CH, Padala PR, Brawman-Mintzer O, Porsteinsson AP, Lerner AJ, Craft S, Levey AI, Burke W, Perin J, Shade D; ADMET 2 Research Group. Effect of Methylphenidate on Apathy in Patients With Alzheimer Disease: The ADMET 2 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Neurol. 2021 Nov 1;78(11):1324-1332. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2021.3356. PMID: 34570180; PMCID: PMC8477302. (

  2. Lanctôt KL, Rivet L, Tumati S, Perin J, Sankhe K, Vieira D, Mintzer J, Rosenberg PB, Shade D, Lerner AJ, Padala PR, Brawman-Mintzer O, van Dyck CH, Porsteinsson AP, Craft S, Levey AI, Padala KP, Herrmann N. Heterogeneity of Response to Methylphenidate in Apathetic Patients in the ADMET 2 Trial. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2023 Dec;31(12):1077-1087. doi: 10.1016/j.jagp.2023.06.002. Epub 2023 Jun 15. PMID: 37385898; PMCID: PMC10765607. (

  3. Herrmann N, Ruthirakuhan M, Gallagher D, Verhoeff NPLG, Kiss A, Black SE, Lanctôt KL. Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Nabilone for Agitation in Alzheimer's Disease. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2019 Nov;27(11):1161-1173. doi: 10.1016/j.jagp.2019.05.002. Epub 2019 May 8. PMID: 31182351. (

  4. Miller DS, Robert P, Ereshefsky L, Adler L, Bateman D, Cummings J, DeKosky ST, Fischer CE, Husain M, Ismail Z, Jaeger J, Lerner AJ, Li A, Lyketsos CG, Manera V, Mintzer J, Moebius HJ, Mortby M, Meulien D, Pollentier S, Porsteinsson A, Rasmussen J, Rosenberg PB, Ruthirakuhan MT, Sano M, Zucchero Sarracini C, Lanctôt KL. Diagnostic criteria for apathy in neurocognitive disorders. Alzheimers Dement. 2021 Dec;17(12):1892-1904. doi: 10.1002/alz.12358. Epub 2021 May 5. PMID: 33949763; PMCID: PMC8835377. (

  5. Suridjan I, Herrmann N, Adibfar A, Saleem M, Andreazza A, Oh PI, Lanctôt KL. Lipid Peroxidation Markers in Coronary Artery Disease Patients with Possible Vascular Mild Cognitive Impairment. J Alzheimers Dis. 2017;58(3):885-896. doi: 10.3233/JAD-161248. PMID: 28505971; PMCID: PMC5467720. (