{"id":716,"date":"2021-05-18T14:35:17","date_gmt":"2021-05-18T14:35:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/beacon\/?page_id=716"},"modified":"2026-06-09T20:54:49","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T20:54:49","slug":"beaconlab","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/beacon\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

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BEACON Lab<\/h1><\/div>
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Biomarkers to Advance Care for Neurodevelopmental Conditions<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Dr. Louise Gallagher<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.<\/b><\/p>\n

Helen Keller<\/strong>
\n<\/span>Disability Rights Advocate, Author, and founding member of the ACLU.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Dr.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Mission<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

The BEACON lab\u2019s primary mission is to use multi-disciplinary approaches in psychology, neuroscience and genomics to uncover new biological markers (i.e., biomarkers) which indicate whether a person has or may develop traits. These biomarkers can then be used to accelerate the development of better diagnostics and interventions for individuals with neurodevelopmental\/psychiatric conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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We approach our research in a neuroaffirmative and health positive manner, focusing on one\u2019s agency rather than so called \u201cdeficits\u201d. We do not aim to \u201ccure\u201d neurodevelopmental conditions. We rely on the key inputs of our research stakeholders to guide our research and to help us deliver on our research mission to improve the lives of individuals and families living with neurodevelopmental and related psychiatric conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Research Interests<\/b><\/h2><\/div>
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Autism<\/p><\/div>

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Prader-Willi Syndrome<\/p><\/div>

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NRXN1 <\/i>Deletions<\/p><\/div>

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Neurodevelopmental and Psychiatric Conditions<\/p><\/div>

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How We<\/b> Res<\/b>earch<\/b>
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Genomics<\/h3><\/div>
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We use cutting-edge technology to read the DNA code to investigate how genetic factors contribute to neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions. This can inform precision diagnostics and interventions.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/span><\/div>

Eye-Tracking<\/h3><\/div>
<\/div>
Eye-tracking is a new and exciting technology which offers a non-invasive way to study attention, cognition, and emotional processing by analysing eye movements and gaze patterns. It has broad applications for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions including diagnostics and clinical trials.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/span><\/div>

Comprehensive Health & Trait Profiling<\/h3><\/div>
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To better understand the diversity of symptoms and traits within neurodevelopmental conditions like autism, we use a range of assessments, measures, and tests to create a comprehensive picture of one\u2019s condition.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Find more about our research<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Neurodiversity Statement<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

The BEACON lab recognises and supports the Neurodiversity. According to Austin and Pisano (2017), neurodiversity is the idea that conditions like autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental conditions, are the result of normal, natural variation in the human genome. People with these conditions do not need to be cured but instead provided with better supports and accommodated in society.<\/p>\n

As researchers, it is very important we recognise that not all people with neurodevelopmental conditions require medical intervention(s) and they can lead perfectly healthy and fulfilling lives with potentially minimal additional supports. Their traits are part of their unique personalities and are not something to be thought of as \u201cabnormal\u201d or \u201cdisordered\u201d but that society should better accommodate and support them. However, for some people with neurodevelopmental conditions, the intensity of their unique symptom profiles can be disabling or cause significant distress i.e., communication issues\/non-verbal, anxiety, learning\/cognitive difficulties, seizures, highly restrictive behaviours, aggressive behaviours, mobility issues, hyperphagia, psychotic episodes. Thus, the focus of our research is not to change the incredible personalities of these individuals but instead to help alleviate these disabling or distressing symptoms through improving medical diagnostics and interventions. Thus, we take a health positive approach, where the focus of our research is on one\u2019s agency and not their so called \u201cdeficits”. Through this research, we aspire to help those with neurodevelopmental conditions reach their full potential.<\/p>\n

To help guide our research and deliver on our key mission, we are firm believers in patient and public involvement (PPI) and co-creation. We have run our own PPI initiatives and events and involve advocates and representative in co-creation efforts. We believe this is the best way to engage our key research stakeholders and highlight the most relevant outcomes for our participants and families.<\/p>\n

We uphold the principle of \u201cNothing about us without us\u201d and respect Neurodiversity.<\/p>\n

Dr. Louise Gallagher, MB BCh BAO MRCPsych PhD<\/b><\/h3>\n

Chief, Child and Youth Mental Health Collaborative
The Hospital for Sick Children, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
<\/span>Professor and Head of Division of Child and Youth Mental Health, University of Toronto
<\/span>Patsy and Jamie Anderson Chair in Child and Youth Mental Health<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":363,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"100-width.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-716","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nHome - BEACON Lab | SickKids Research Institute<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Explore SickKids' leading research at the BEACON Lab. 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