Faculty Focus - Mojgan Hodaie

Mojgan Hodaie


Mojgan Hodaie, MD, MSc, FRCSC

Dr. Hodaie completed her Neurosurgery residency and fellowship in Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery at the University of Toronto. Her field of clinical expertise and research interest include neuromodulation for the treatment of movement disorders and pain, surgical treatment of trigeminal neuralgia and Gamma Knife radiosurgery. She is currently a Professor of Surgery, surgical co-director of the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Gamma Knife Radiosurgery unit at the Toronto Western Hospital and associate member, Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine.

She has an active research lab focusing on the role of structural MRI techniques such as cortical thickness analysis and diffusion tensor imaging/tractography. Current lab projects explore methods in which these imaging techniques can pinpoint key neuroanatomical signatures in different pain syndromes, and their utility as imaging adjuncts in surgical diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Hodaie also has a strong interest in international neuroscience and neurosurgical education. She has pioneered and enlisted international collaboration in the application of new educational tools in the field of neurosurgical education in the developing world, focusing on structured online course modules in neurosurgery.

Current Appointments

  • Professor of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
  • Co-Director, Neurosurgery, Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Centre, University Health Network
  • Associate Member, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto
  • Affiliated Global Faculty, BIHE Online University

Recent Peer-Reviewed Funding

  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), 2009-2014.
    Dopamine and synaptic plasticity in human substantia nigra pars reticulata.
    PI: Hutchison WD; Co-I's: Dostrovsky JO, Hodaie M, Lozano AM, Moro E.
    $490,745
  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), 2009-2014.
    Pathophysiology of Parkinson's Disease.
    PI: Chen R; Co-I's: Hodaie M, Lozano A, Moro E.
    $949,900
  • The P.S. I. Foundation, 2009-2011.
    Diffusion based tractography and structural brain imaging in trigeminal neuralgia: correlation with quantitative sensory testing and response to treatment.
    PIs: Hodaie M, Davis K.
    $154,000

Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications

  • Kucyi A, Moayedi M, Weissman-Fogel I, Hodaie M, Davis KD. Hemispheric asymmetry in white matter connectivity of the temporoparietal junction with the insula and prefrontal cortex. PLoS One. 2012;7(4):e35589.
  • Liu LD, Prescott IA, Dostrovsky JO, Hodaie M, Lozano AM, Hutchison WD. Frequency-dependent Effects of Electrical Stimulation in the Globus Pallidus of Dystonia Patients. J Neurophysiol. 2012 Mar 28.
  • Hodaie M, Chen DQ, Quan J, Laperriere N. Tractography delineates microstructural changes in the trigeminal nerve after focal radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia. PLoS One. 2012;7(3):e32745.
  • Walsh L, Guha D, Purdie TG, Bedard P, Easson A, Liu FF, Hodaie M. Spinal cord stimulators and radiotherapy: first case report and practice guidelines. Radiat Oncol. 2011 Oct 25;6:143.
  • Blankstein U, Dakurah T, Bagan M, Hodaie M. Structured online neurosurgical education as a novel method of education delivery in the developing world. World Neurosurg. 2011 Sep-Oct;76(3-4):224-30.
  • Weinberger M, Hutchison WD, Alavi M, Hodaie M, Lozano AM, Moro E, Dostrovsky JO. Oscillatory activity in the globus pallidus internus: comparison between Parkinson's disease and dystonia. Clin Neurophysiol. 2012 Feb;123(2):358-68.
  • Tsang EW, Hamani C, Moro E, Mazzella F, Lozano AM, Hodaie M, Yeh IJ, Chen R. Movement related potentials and oscillatory activities in the human internal globus pallidus during voluntary movements. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2012 Jan;83(1):91-7.
  • Chen DQ, Quan J, Guha A, Tymianski M, Mikulis D, Hodaie M. Three-dimensional in vivo modeling of vestibular schwannomas and surrounding cranial nerves with diffusion imaging tractography. Neurosurgery. 2011 Apr;68(4):1077-83.

Selected Professional Activities

  • Collaborative Committee for International Initiatives, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS), 2009 - present
  • Education Committee, WFNS, 2011 - present
  • International Committee, Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), 2012 - present
  • Board of Directors, World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (WSSFN), 2008 – present
  • Scientific Committee, World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery meeting, Tokyo, 2013