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.
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- Observational StudyIn-Person
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.
Eligibility Criteria
- Have Alzheimer’s disease or mixed Alzheimer’s/vascular disease of mild to moderate severity
- Have apathy, such as less interest, initiative or emotion, for at least 4 weeks at the screening visit
- Have been taking a stable dose for at least 4 weeks of any medication that affects thinking or behaviour
- Have a care partner who spends at least 10 hours per week with you and can accompany you to study visits
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn-person & Online
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.
Eligibility Criteria
Participants must be (1) 18 years of age or older, (2) have past, current, or recent direct experience caring for a person living with a dementia-related disorder, and (3) be able to participate in a focus group or one-on-one interview conducted in English. Both formal (professional) and informal (family) caregivers are eligible to participate.
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn-person & Online
What is this Study about?
This study aims to explore the hospitalization experiences of South Asian and Arab older adults with dementia and identify barriers and facilitators they encounter during their hospital stay in receiving culturally safe care. The information gathered will be used to identify gaps in current hospital dementia care practices and create resources and recommendations for policy and practice changes that promote culturally safe, inclusive dementia care for ethnic communities.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you are:
Older Adults:
- an older adult aged 60 years or older
- from the South Asian or Arab community
- living in Edmonton
- living with a diagnosis of dementia or currently undergoing the diagnostic process
- currently hospitalized or have experienced hospitalization within the past year
Caregivers
- from the South Asian or Arab community
- involved in caring for a family member living with dementia during hospitalization and hospital stay
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
This research study explores the experiences of older men who provide care for a spouse or partner. This study is being conducted by researchers from the Men’s Health Research program, led by Principal Investigator Dr. John Oliffe, Professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Men’s Health Promotion, School of Nursing, at the University of British Columbia.
Eligibility Criteria
- Speak and understand English
- Live in Canada
- Self-identify as a man
- Are aged 65 years or older
- Are currently caring for a spouse/partner living in community, or an assisted living or long-term care home
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
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.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you:
• Are 18 years of age or older
• Reside in Canada
• Are fluent in English
• Have normal or adjusted normal hearing
• Are a person living with dementia OR are a caregiver/formal care provider of a person living with dementia (e.g., family member, friend, social worker, long-term care staff, nurse)
• Have access to a device with a reliable internet connectionRecruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
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.
Eligibility Criteria
Have been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease; Must speak English
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
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.
Eligibility Criteria
- You are 18 years of age or older.
- You have an interest in frailty and dementia.
- This includes researchers, healthcare professionals, policy and decision-makers, older adults, care partners, advocates, and others with relevant interest or experience.
- You speak English.
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn-Person
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.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you are:
1) Diagnosed with Dementia and/or memory loss by a clinician
2) Exhibit adequate oral communication skills and cognitive function sufficient to obtain a score over 10 on the Mini-Mental State Exam
3) Over the age of 55
4) Speaks English
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
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.
Eligibility Criteria
- Are between the ages of 20–35, 50–65, or 80–95
- Are fluent in English
- Have no significant concerns about memory, and have no mild cognitive impairment, vascular dementia, Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, any cancer treated with chemotherapy, brain tumour, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, or current depression
- Have access to a mobile/tablet and/or a computer
- Are comfortable using a mobile/tablet and/or a computer and have internet access
- Have not completed Cogniciti’s Brain Health Assessment in the past 6 months
Recruitment End Date
Alzheimer Society of Canada
20 Eglinton Avenue West, 16th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M4R 1K8
Telephone: 1-800-616-8816
Email: [email protected]
Charity registration number: 11878 4925 RR0001
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