Beverley Orser

Dr. Orser (h-index 45, total citations 7,945) has produced over 160 articles and book chapters. Her studies and commentaries have been published in prestigious journals including the New England Journal of Medicine, PNAS, Journal of Clinical Investigation, Nature Medicine, Cell Reports and Annals of Neurology. Her research has been highlighted in Scientific American, Maclean’s Magazine, the New York Times, the Globe and Mail and by media outlets. Her contributions have been recognized by awards that include the first Frontier’s Award from the International Anesthesia Research Society, Premier’s Research Excellence Award Career Scientist Award from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (2000-2005), Canadian Foundations of Innovation Award and Leaders Opportunity Fund (2014), the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Research Recognition Award (2006) and medals from the Association of Australian and New Zealand College of Anesthetists (2014), McGill University (2003) and the College of Anaesthetists of Ireland (2007). In 2013, she was selected as Fellow of the Canadian Academies of Health Sciences.

Dr. Orser has worked with an outstanding group of young investigators. Many of the students, residents and fellows who were members of the research team now hold faculty appointments in prestigious universities, are scientists in pharmaceutical companies or work as clinicians or clinicians-investigators.

Research Synopsis

The discovery of anesthesia ranks as one of the top discoveries in the history of medicine, yet the molecular basis of how these drugs work have eluded scientists for centuries. For over 20 years, Dr. Orser has directed a research laboratory that has made seminal contributions to our understanding of how general anesthetics modify brain function. Her laboratory uses genetic mouse models together with behavioral studies, electrophysiology and biochemical assays to gain a precise understanding of how and where anesthetics act in the central nervous system. Results from her studies have substantially advanced the long-term goal of targeting specific receptors to gain a selective, safer and more effective approach to anesthesia. In addition, Dr. Orser works with nonprofit organizations and government agencies to improve safety for the 234 million patients who undergo anesthesia and surgery each year.

Recent Publications

1. Rappaport BA, Santhanam S, Hertz S, Evers AS, Orser BA. (2015). Anesthetic Neurotoxicity- Clinical Implications of Animal Models. N Engl J Med. 372: 796-797.
2. Zurek AA, Yu J, Wang DS, Haffey SC, Bridgwater EM, Penna A, Lecker I, Lei G, Chang T, Salter EWR, Orser BA (2014) Sustained increase in α5GABAA receptor function impairs memory after anesthesia. J Clin Invest. 124: 5437-41.
3. Mesbah-Oskui L, Orser BA, Horner R. (2014) Thalamic δ-subunit containing GABAA receptors promote electrocortical signatures of deep non-REM sleep but do not mediate the effects of etomidate at the thalamus in-vivo. J Neurosci. Vol. 34(37): 12253-66. SRA, CPA
4. Whissell PD, Rosenzweig S, Lecker I, Wang D, Wojtowicz JM, Orser BA. (2013) GABAA receptors promote memory and neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus. Annals of Neurology.
5. Orser BA, Hyland S, UD, Sheppard I, Wilson CR. (2013) Review Article: Improving Drug Safety for Patients Undergoing Anesthesia and Surgery. Can J Anaesth. Vol. 60(2): 127-135. (Invited Review)
6. Lecker I, Wang DS, Romaschin AD, Peterson M, Mazer CD, Orser BA. (2012) Tranexamic Acid Concentrations Associated with Human Seizures Inhibit Glycine Receptors. J Clin Invest. Vol. 122(12): 4654-66. Report highlighted by Nature Medicine, Jan 2103.
7. Wang DS, Zurek AA, Lecker I, Yu J, Abramian AM, Avramescu S, Davies PA, Moss SJ, Lu WY, Orser BA. (2012) Memory Deficits Induced by Inflammation Are Regulated by α5-subunit-containing GABAA Receptors. Cell Rep. Vol. 2(3): 488-96. 

Appointments

Director of Research, Department of Anesthesia, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Chair, Board of Trustees International Anesthesia Research Society
Board of Directors ISMP-Canada
CIHR College of Reviewers
Scientific Advisory Board and Steering Committee SmartTots (SmartTot.org)

Honours and Awards

Name: Order of Ontario
Description: 2022

Name: Canada Research Chair
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2004-2014

Name: Leader’s Opportunity Fund
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2013

Name: Fellowship in the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
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Name: Elected Member, Association of University Anesthesiologists
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Name: Elected member, Board of Trustees International Anesthesia Research Society
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Name: CAS Research Recognition Award
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Name: Institute for Safe Medication Practices “Cheers” Recognition Award
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