The Alzheimer Society Research Portal connects researchers with Canadians looking to participate in research studies. On this website, find active studies that you can participate in to help advance research on dementia.
A dementia diagnosis impacts the cognitive, functional, and physical abilities of those diagnosed, which will influence their ability to perform activities of daily living including meal preparation and eating. Persons living with dementia can experience a range of difficulties while eating that will impact their ability to consume adequate food and fluids, which include but are not limited to swallowing, chewing, and self-feeding difficulties. Consequently, persons living with dementia are at increased risk of malnutrition and negative health outcomes. The objective of this study is to understand the experience of persons’ living with dementia or diagnosed memory problems and/or their caregivers in managing eating challenges and swallowing problems in the community.
You are eligible to participate if you:
- Speak English
- A person with memory problems experiencing eating challenges or swallowing problems in the community
- OR if you are or were a caregiver to a person with memory problems with eating challenges or swallowing problems.
Our study titled "Investigating the Role of Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping and Oxygen Extraction Fraction as Advanced Neuroimaging Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease" aims to develop non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). We focus on evaluating the potential of QSM and OEF to differentiate between AD, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and Cognitively Unimpaired populations and to predict amyloid and tau pathology, using a Systems Biology approach. Leveraging the McGill University's TRIAD cohort, the study utilizes advanced imaging and machine learning to predict amyloid and tau presence, which could transform AD diagnostics and treatment. Methodologically, it involves preprocessing neuroimaging data and employing machine learning classifiers to analyze these features. The anticipated outcomes include validating QSM and OEF as non-invasive biomarkers for AD, establishing their correlation with amyloid and tau proteins, and developing predictive models for clinical decision-making, potentially resulting in significant advancements in AD diagnostics.
Are a member of the TRIAD cohort at McGill University, falling within one of the following categories: young control, cognitively unimpaired, mild cognitive impairment, or Alzheimer's Disease.
Are willing and able to undergo advanced neuroimaging techniques including MRI and PET without contraindications.
Have not had any significant neurological conditions (other than AD for the AD group) that might interfere with the results of the study.
Have no metal implants, devices, or other conditions that may contraindicate or distort MRI imaging.
Are not currently participating in other clinical trials or studies that involve interventions which might interfere with the results of this study.
Are able and willing to provide informed consent for participation in the study or have a legally authorized representative who can do so.
Do not have a history of substance abuse or other conditions that might confound the imaging and cognitive data.
Have not undergone any significant head trauma or surgery in the past 6 months.
Are not pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the duration of the study.
Are willing to comply with all study-related procedures, imaging sessions, and follow-up evaluations.
Ability to speak English and French
Caregivers of people living with dementia have direct experience of how the dementia is progressing. They are essential in evaluating the real-world benefits of treatment and making decisions to keep the person at home or consider different levels of care. The aim of this study is to develop a new CAregiver REported and weighted Dementia outcome measure (CARED).
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