Toward Digital Phenotyping of Healthy and Pathological Cognitive Aging

What is this Study about?

This study investigates whether digital activity data collected from wearable and mobile devices can be used to understand changes in cognitive functioning associated with aging and neurological conditions. Participants’ daily movement patterns and activity behaviors will be monitored using advanced tracking technology that collects detailed spatial and temporal data. Researchers will analyze these patterns using computational methods to identify digital markers associated with cognitive functioning. 

What Will Happen in This Study?

Participants in this study will wear lightweight wrist, back, and GPS sensors for 21 days, complete an assessment that allows researchers to understand their cognitive functioning, and donate a blood sample. Participation will involve three visits to the Foothills Medical Centre over the 21-day period. This study covers participants’ parking while at the Foothills Medical Centre and offers participant reimbursement. Participants' partners/caregivers are welcome to participate together. 

Who is Eligible to Participate in this Study?

You are eligible to participate if you are 60 years or older, have a confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, remain relatively independent in your day-to-day life, are able and willing to wear digital activity tracking technology to monitor daily activity patterns, and are able to provide informed consent and participate in study procedures. You are also eligible to participate if you are a partner/caregiver as a healthy control. 

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