Catherine Maurice

Neurologist | Neurology

610 University Ave, Pencer Brain Tumor Centre 18-717 Toronto Ontario, M5G 2M9 Show map

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About

Dr Maurice completed her medical training at the University of Montreal and received her medical license in 2008. Following that, she embarked on a residency in Neurology, also at the University of Montreal. She likes the human perspective of Neuro-Oncology combined with the challenge of Neurology.

With her residency completed in 2013, she joined the staff at The Pencer Centre to begin her fellowship. Prior to coming to Toronto, Dr Maurice participated in humanitarian aid projects in several third world countries; she is now enrolled as a Neurology consultant for “Doctors Without Borders” for French, Spanish and English speaking countries.

Dr Maurice is developing a Neuro-Oncology Clinic at the Pencer Brain Tumor Centre of Princess Margaret Hospital to assess the Neurologic complications associated with various systemic cancers. She also focused on the treatment of primary brain tumors. Dr Maurice is enrolled in team of the Gamma-Knife Clinic at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre and the multidisciplinary Neurofibromatosis Clinic of Toronto General Hospital. She is actively involved in Neurology and Neuro-Oncology teaching, trying to incorporate new technologies and methods in medical education. Her main career objective is the standardization of international health care and medical education.

Catherine Maurice's Videos

Education and Training

Universite de Montreal MD, FRCPC 2013

University of Toronto Fellowship Neuro-Oncology 2015

University of Dundee Masters Med Ed - Towards PhD 2019

Provider Details

Female English, Spanish, French

Catherine Maurice

Catherine Maurice's Expert Contributions

My Answers

Are muscle spasms a symptom of Alzheimer's?
This is likely not related to Alzheimer. This question is difficult to answer online since the "twitches" could be many things, and the key to diagnosis is to see the twitches ourselves, or filmed on smart phone. We can determine the "type of movement" by direct observation: myoclonia, myokimia, cramp, fasciculation, tremor, etc. then we can isolate the cause. The best advice I could give is to make sure your brother consents, and to film the twitches with a phone camera, and to show this to the next visit to family doctor. Could be as simple as some vitamins (calcium, magnesium) supplements required, but the key is seeing those movements. Most family physicians are familiar to identify those, no Neurology necessary at this step; I hope it helps, Thank you. READ MORE
How is multiple sclerosis detected?
The reassuring aspect is that multiple sclerosis is a disease requiring "a combination of multiple factors" to develop. Most often (more than 95%) of the time, patients diagnosed with MS will not transmit it to their children. We usually do not require a mandatory screening for children of MS patients, unless they present symptoms suggestive of the disease, as more than 95% of the children will never develop MS. The diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms of isolated neurologic deficits restricted in time (3 days-3 months) and space (lesions seen on the brain MRI). People need to be careful if they wish to do a brain MRI without any symptoms. First, without Sx MS is unlikely going to be diagnosed no matter the results of the MRI, and no treatment would be offered anyways if the person is asymptomatic. Secondly, if we do brain MRIs to everyone of the population, most people present some variants of the normal, from birth, migraine, or due to deep small vessels that reorganize, so most totally healthy persons will have a little dot somewhere without significance. I suggest to express the concerns to the family physician, but to proceed with complete investigation only if there is clinically a legitimate reason to suspect new symptoms related to MS. READ MORE
Are there natural ways to treat migraine?
The first suggestion is to make sure that "over the counter" meds are not overused. More than 8-10 days a month of OTC can contribute by itself to chronicize a migraine. Making sure to sleep well, sleep well, limit pain medication yo max 8-10 days a month, good support of the neck during sleep with a good pillow, improving stress management, being mindful of certain food (especially containing nitrites or caffeine), coenzyme Q10, are natural ways to help migraine. If pain is present more than 50% of the time (ideally use calendar to document), temporary use of "preventive medication" for a few months is suggested to "break" the chronic state and this could be eventually tapered after a few months. Best thing to do at the time is to be mindful of good health habits and document the days per month of headache, and the days requesting OTC medication. The family doctor will be able to help optimally at next visit with the use of this tool. Hope it helps! Thank you CM READ MORE
regarding transmission of disease
If I interpret well the abbreviation "MD" as "Muscular Dystrophy", it can't be contagious. The disease involves genes, responsible for protein production. Without proper protein production, muscles become unhealthy. This is the basic nature of the disease. It can't be transmitted by physical contact. Hope it helps, CM READ MORE
Can chiropractic care help my diabetic neuropathy?
Best way to help neuropathy: the best possible control of diabetes, it could improve the current neuropathy, and prevent its progression. Since DB neuropathy involves the smallest nerve fibres, those are unlikely to be affected by chiro. However, the patient is the best guide to tell us what he needs, some feel better after chiro sessions overall, and if people feel overall better, I suggest to keep a winning recipe. On a physiologic basis, no movements/manipulations can affect nerve fibres that small. The machines sold at pharmacies doing vibration that people place under their feet could help temporarly, if there is sustained uncontrolled pain the best is medication such as cymbalta, or lyrica, or gabapentin, that could be discussed with family physician and adjusted at the lowest dose required to manage the symptoms. READ MORE

Areas of expertise and specialization

AstrocytomaBrain TumorsEpilepsyGilomaMedulloblastomaNeuro-Oncology

Faculty Titles & Positions

Public Speaking in China, Europe, United States and Canada -
Teaches at the University of Toronto -

Awards

Starkman Prize 2016 University of Toronto
New Initiative Program Award 2017 Div Neurology, Dep Medicine, UofT
Medicine Citizenship Award 2018 Dep Medicine UHN
Exceptional Scientific Career 2018 CEGEP Andre-Grasset
Young Professional Toronto 2019 Canadian Toronto Club

Charities and Philanthropic Endeavors

Medecins Sans Frontieres

Internships

University of Toronto- 2013

Fellowships

2 Year Fellowship

Articles and Publications

Published in the Journal of Neurology

What do you attribute your success to?

Her mentorship and motivation, she believes in life everybody can do anything, it's just a matter of wanting to do it. She loves her work, so it never feels like work to her, it brings her to read more and to learn more.

Philanthropic Initiatives

She's a consultant for Doctors Without Borders.

Teaching and speaking

Focus on Virtual Reality in Medical Education, Learning by Clinical Scenarios.

Favorite Place to Vacation

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1455-8876

Hobbies / Sports

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1455-8876

Favorite professional publications

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1455-8876

Areas of research

Primary Brain Tumors, Encephalitis, Paraneoplastic Syndromes, Neuro-Immunology, Neuro-Protection, Brain Metastasis, Neurofibromatosis, Impact of Cancer Treatments on the central and peripheral nervous system, Resolution of complex clinical cases related to neuro-oncology.