Montréal: City of neuroscience
From groundbreaking brain research to innovations in artificial intelligence, Montréal is helping shape the future of neuroscience.
Montréal has been at the forefront of neuroscience for nearly a century, building an international reputation for discoveries that have transformed our understanding of the human brain. Today, the city brings together world-class universities, pioneering research institutes, innovative technology companies and a thriving artificial intelligence ecosystem.
From improving treatments for neurological diseases to exploring the relationship between human and artificial intelligence, Montréal’s neuroscience community is making discoveries with a global impact. This concentration of expertise also makes the city a natural gathering place for major international scientific conferences and conventions.
Leaders in learning
Montréal’s universities are important drivers of neuroscience research and education. McGill University, is particularly renowned for its contributions to neuroscience. Université de Montréal, Concordia University and Université du Québec à Montréal also contribute to the city’s multidisciplinary research ecosystem.
McGill’s Integrated Program in Neuroscience is one of North America’s largest neuroscience graduate programs, attracting researchers and students from around the world.
The university’s Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives initiative combines neuroscience, neuroinformatics and big data to accelerate discoveries about brain function and neurological disorders. The program connects researchers across disciplines to develop new approaches to diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
At the heart of Montréal’s neuroscience community is The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), founded in 1934 by pioneering neurosurgeon Dr. Wilder Penfield. One of the world’s leading neuroscience research and clinical centres, The Neuro has made landmark contributions to epilepsy treatment, brain imaging and neuropsychology. Its legacy includes the pioneering memory research of Dr. Brenda Milner, Penfield’s revolutionary epilepsy surgery techniques and important advances in medical imaging.
Today, The Neuro continues to lead internationally through its commitment to Open Science, encouraging researchers to share data, tools and findings to accelerate discoveries and improve patient care.
Artificial intelligence in neuroscience
Montréal’s internationally recognized artificial intelligence ecosystem has opened exciting new possibilities for neuroscience research.
Home to Mila – Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, the city brings together expertise in machine learning, neuroimaging, cognitive science and computational neuroscience. Researchers are exploring how AI can help us better understand the brain, while using insights from human intelligence to develop more sophisticated artificial systems.
A key player in this emerging discipline is UNIQUE (Unifying Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence in Québec), an interdisciplinary research centre connecting more than 80 regular and collaborating researchers from Québec and beyond. UNIQUE promotes collaboration between neuroscientists and AI specialists, encouraging advances in both biological and artificial intelligence.
The practical applications are already taking shape. In September 2026, researchers at The Neuro highlighted BrainScores, a company emerging from research at the institute that is developing AI-powered neuroimaging tools to identify subtle brain abnormalities and improve surgical planning for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.
Meanwhile, McGill neuroscientist and AI researcher Blake Richards received a prestigious Schmidt Sciences Polymaths Award in September 2026. Worth up to $2.5 million over five years, the award will support research into AI models designed to better capture individual differences in brain function, with potential applications in mental health care.
Significant Montréal breakthroughs
September 2026 | AI advances epilepsy surgery
A Montréal company emerging from research at The Neuro, BrainScores, is developing AI-powered imaging tools to help detect brain abnormalities that may be difficult to identify through conventional MRI scans, potentially improving surgical planning for people with drug-resistant epilepsy.
September 2026 | Major international recognition for Neuro-AI research
McGill neuroscientist Blake Richards received a Schmidt Sciences Polymaths Award worth up to $2.5 million over five years. His research aims to develop AI models that capture the complexity of individual minds and could eventually inform more personalized mental health approaches.
June 2026 | Nearly $9 million invested in brain research infrastructure
Four new Brain Canada-supported research platforms at McGill University, The Neuro and the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) received a combined $8.9 million investment. The initiatives will support innovations in molecular analysis, neurological drug development, human nervous tissue research and patient data integration.
April 2026 | New insights into how psychedelic drugs affect the brain
Researchers at The Neuro contributed to a major brain-imaging study examining the effects of psychedelic substances. The findings revealed common patterns in how these substances alter brain activity, offering new perspectives on consciousness and potential therapeutic applications.
December 2024 | Clinical trial targets myotonic dystrophy
The Neuro’s Clinical Research Unit launched a trial investigating a potential treatment for myotonic dystrophy that aims to address the underlying disease process rather than simply manage its symptoms.
October 2024 | Bilingualism and brain connectivity
McGill researchers Denise Klein and Xiaoqian Chai published findings linking early second-language learning with more efficient connectivity across the brain, adding to our understanding of bilingualism and brain development.
March 2024 | Stem cell technology advances Parkinson's research
Scientists at The Neuro used stem cell technology to develop human brain organoids, providing new tools for studying Parkinson’s disease and investigating potential treatments.
January 2024 | New treatment possibilities for essential tremor
A project led by McGill’s Dr. Abbas Sadikot explored MRI-guided focused ultrasound as a treatment for people living with severe, difficult-to-control tremors.
A global meeting place for neuroscience
Montréal’s neuroscience expertise extends well beyond its laboratories and research centres. The city’s longstanding scientific reputation, concentration of academic institutions and modern convention infrastructure make it an attractive destination for international neuroscience conferences.
These gatherings connect researchers, clinicians, medical specialists and industry innovators from around the world, encouraging collaboration and the exchange of ideas.
Notable neuroscience-related events held in Montréal include:
- July 2027 | International Society for the History of the Neurosciences Annual Meeting
- September 2025 | Neurocritical Care Society Annual Meeting (1,500 participants)
- March 2025 | 5th World Congress on Brain Injury (1,200 participants)
- September 2025 | Neurocritical Care Society 2025 Annual Meeting (1,500 participants)
- June 2024 | 2024 Peripheral Nerve Society Annual Meeting (1,500 participants)
- October 2023 | World Congress of Neurology (4,000 participants)
- June 2023 | Annual Conference of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping (2,000 participants)
- May 2023 | Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Neuroscience (700 participants)
- July 2019 | 41st Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society (1,175 participants)
- November 2018 | NeurIPS Annual Conference (10,000 participants)
With a rich scientific history, a collaborative research ecosystem and continued investment in emerging technologies, Montréal offers an exceptional setting for the exchange of knowledge and the next generation of neuroscience breakthroughs.
For international associations and scientific organizations looking to bring researchers together, Montréal offers more than a meeting destination: it’s a place where the future of neuroscience is taking shape.