Lorne Zinman

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a devastating neurological disease that results in the degeneration of motor neurons leading to paralysis and death in most patients. There is no treatment to halt or reverse ALS, and its specific cause remains unknown. Dr. Zinman’s research aims to characterize better the clinical, electrophysiological and pathological phenotypes and variants of the disease to find a treatment.

In collaboration with Drs. Janice Robertson, Ekaterina Rogaeva, Yana Yunusova and Julia Keith, the group is studying the disease’s pathophysiology to discover novel therapeutic targets. Epidemiological research provides clues to the etiology and exacerbating factors of the disease. The team also leads and participates in multicentre clinical trials evaluating the most promising ALS therapeutics. Dr. Zinman is the founder and first chair of the Canadian ALS Research Network. Its primary purpose is to find new treatments and improve the lives of people with ALS.

Education

• B.Sc., 1993, biology/physiology (with distinction), University of Toronto, Canada
• M.Sc., 1995, neurobiology, Queen’s University, Canada
• MD, 1998, University of Calgary, Canada
• FRCPC, 2003, neurology, U of T, Canada
• Neuromuscular diseases fellowship, 2005, U of T, Canada
• M.Sc., 2005, clinical epidemiology, U of T, Canada

Appointments and Affiliations

• Associate scientist, Evaluative Clinical Sciences, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute
• Staff neurologist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
• Director, neurophysiology lab, Sunnybrook
• Associate professor, Institute of Medical Science and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, U of T
• Director, ALS and neuromuscular clinic, Sunnybrook