What is this Study about?

Apathy, or reduced interest, initiative and emotion, is common in people living with Alzheimer’s disease and can affect quality of life and functioning. This study will test whether combining methylphenidate, an oral medication, with intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment, is more effective than iTBS alone for treating apathy in dementia. Information collected will help determine whether this combined approach may improve apathy and quality of life for people living with dementia and their care partners.

What is this Study about?

This study aims to understand dementia caregivers' experiences, challenges, and training needs to help guide the development of a social robotic training system. The proposed system is envisioned to use role-playing scenarios based on the emotional behaviours and past identities of people living with dementia. A supporting mobile application is also being developed to work with the robot's training features. Caregivers' perspectives will help identify their needs and expectations for this social robotic training system.  

What is this Study about?

We are currently recruiting people living with dementia and their caregivers (i.e., family members, friends, or formal care providers such as nurses and social workers) for a study examining experiences with time among people living with dementia. The ultimate objective of this study is to gain an in-depth understanding of the experience of time among people with dementia, including how they feel about the past, present, and future, and how this time-related experience affects their caregivers’ daily life and wellbeing. Data from this study may be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at academic conferences.

What is this Study about?

This study explores dementia stigma within South Asian communities in Canada, a group that has been underrepresented in dementia research. Using a focused ethnographic approach, it aims to understand community beliefs and experiences related to dementia and identify ways to create a culturally appropriate dementia-friendly society.

The study will: Examine South Asian cultural understandings of dementia and dementia-related stigma. Investigate how dementia affects the overall well-being of people living with dementia, their families, and caregivers. Explore how individuals make decisions about seeking healthcare and support. The research also seeks to understand how social, cultural, structural, and political factors contribute to dementia stigma and how culturally relevant anti-stigma interventions can be developed.

Expected outcomes include: Generating new knowledge about dementia stigma in South Asian communities. Increasing awareness and promoting dementia-friendly environments. Sharing findings through academic publications, conferences, community presentations, and multilingual infographics in Bengali, Hindi, and Urdu to reach a broader audience.

What is this Study about?

Despite the clinical benefit and favourable safety profile of using focused ultrasound to manage tremor caused by Parkinson’s Disease, there is currently limited gender and cultural diversity among the patients we treat. We will use questionnaires and patient-led discussions to identify factors that prevent (i) women and (ii) a broader range of races and ethnicities from considering focused ultrasound to manage tremor.

What is this Study about?

In the past, frailty and dementia were treated as distinct entities; however, it is now recognized that they share a complex relationship. As a result, there is an urgent need for the joint investigation of frailty and dementia. Our survey aims to bring together perspectives from stakeholders worldwide who share an interest in frailty and dementia. We are collecting data over the next several months, via various promotional "waves." Once we reach adequate participation and thematic saturation, we anticipate that data analysis and knowledge dissemination will take approximately six months.

What is this Study about?

This study is exploring the viability of a potential treatment for cognitive decline in dementia by attempting to improve the brain's ability to hold onto information temporarily while doing things like reading lists, having a conversation, or problem-solving. The results from this study will inform future research in improving working memory and cognition in people living with dementia.

What is this Study about?

This study measures how well an online assessment measures brain health on mobile devices. The assessment includes different memory and attention tasks completed on a mobile device or tablet. We are also looking for volunteers for a one-session study to support the development of the desktop version of the Brain Health Assessment.

What is this Study about?

This study explores men’s thoughts and beliefs about unpaid caregiving for older adults in Canada in a 25-minute online survey. The findings will improve our understanding of men in Canadian society. This will help us to improve support and education opportunities for individuals with family members with long-term care needs.