Brian Murray
Dr. Brian J. Murray, MD, F.R.C.P.(C), DABSM
Neurology and Sleep Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; Cross appointment:
Women’s College Hospital and Adjunct Scientist, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute;
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
Dr. Murray completed undergraduate medical training from the University of Toronto (1995), and proceeded to undertake Neurology residency training at Harvard University. Following this he completed fellowships in Neurophysiology and Sleep Medicine. He has obtained board certification in Neurology, and Sleep Medicine.
Dr. Murray joined the medical staff at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in 2001 in the Division of Neurology. He has a cross appointment at Women’s College Hospital and the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute.
His major research interests are in neurological aspects of sleep/circadian rhythms, and the relationship between sleep and behaviour. Some clinical conditions of particular interest include sleep deprivation, narcolepsy, REM sleep behaviour disorder, restless legs syndrome, and sleep disruption during pregnancy. He is also studying the effects of sleep and sleep disorders in a number of other medical conditions including osteoarthritis.
He has created a state-of-the-art sleep laboratory at the Sunnybrook campus with full polysomnographic monitoring, including extended EEG, video monitoring, psychomotor vigilance assessment, actigraphy, portable equipment for in-home use, etc. He has also set up a facility to draw blood samples from patients overnight and administer medications without disturbing sleep, while simultaneously making polysomnographic recordings. All data collected from clinical research assessments are stored digitally for advanced signal analysis. The laboratory has 5 technologists, as well as a number of student volunteers.
Dr. Murray is developing a clinical, teaching and research program in sleep disorders at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. He is interested in collaboration with other divisions and departments. He has demonstrated enthusiasm for teaching at all levels, and has won the Peters Boyd Academy teaching award for medical school tutoring in and the Department of Medicine Young Teacher Award at Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre.