What is this Study about?

McMaster University is conducting a study on the effects of brain stimulation in individuals aged 50 and older with dementia or memory loss. The research focuses on using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a noninvasive technique that delivers magnetic pulses to the brain, to enhance cognitive function and balance. The goal is to extend the positive effects of brain stimulation in improving cognition and balance in individuals with dementia.

What is this Study about?

Compass-ND is a research study designed to assess individuals with different sorts of cognitive and movement changes seen in older adults. We will look at the usefulness of imaging studies, clinical assessments and biomarker tests, together with measurements of memory, thinking and daily functioning, for distinguishing these changes from each other and from healthy aging.

What is this Study about?

Hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition among people 65 and older and increases the risk of social isolation, depression, communication difficulties and dementia. Dementia risk may be reduced through hearing rehabilitation, and it is critical to develop tools for identifying hearing loss and its impact on communication. The Hearing and Functioning in Everyday Life Questionnaire (HFEQ) is a measure to identify hearing loss and everyday life functioning, not yet been evaluated for people with combined hearing loss and cognitive impairment. To bridge this gap, the aim is to evaluate the HFEQ for this group. The study has a cross-sectional observational study design. Adults over 60 years, with hearing loss and with and without cognitive impairment will be recruited. Data collection will include a cognitive and hearing assessment, assessment of conversation effectiveness and efficiency, hearing and general health history and five questionnaires (HFEQ, the Life-Space questionnaire, the Social Functioning in Dementia scale, and the PROMIS anxiety and depression scales).

What is this Study about?

This randomized controlled study evaluates the efficacy of a hippocampus-targeted, computerized spatial memory intervention in older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Participants (≥55 years) will be randomized to either (a) a spatial memory intervention program or (b) an active placebo. Primary outcomes are changes in memory and cognition from baseline to post-training and 6-month follow-up, assessed with standardized neuropsychological measures and validated spatial memory tasks. Secondary outcomes include everyday functioning, quality of life, perceived stress, and related psychosocial indices.  

A neuroimaging sub-study acquires structural MRI and task-based fMRI to quantify hippocampal morphometry and functional recruitment; we hypothesize training-related improvements will correlate with hippocampal structural/functional change. Exploratory biomarkers (lipids, glucose/insulin for HOMA-IR, cortisol) and polygenic risk scores for dementia are obtained to control inter-individual variability and potential moderators/mediators of training response. The central hypothesis is that sustained, strategy-level engagement of hippocampus-dependent spatial memory will improve cognitive performance in MCI and yield convergent MRI biomarker signatures, supporting experience-dependent plasticity and informing scalable, non-pharmacologic interventions for delaying cognitive decline. 

What is this Study about?

This study will assess if an in-vehicle Driving Monitoring System can identify differences in driving behaviours between older adults who are cognitively healthy, those with mild cognitive impairment, and those with mild dementia. 

What is this Study about?

This study explores Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) as a potential treatment for mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study, the mild electrical stimulation is delivered to a part of the brain called the Pedunculopontine Nucleus (PPN), which helps regulate cognitive and sleep-related brain rhythms. The trial will recruit a small group of participants to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of DBS-PPN in treating AD. The goal of this study is to see if targeting this part of the brain with DBS can help people living with mild AD improve their memory, thinking skills, and sleep quality.

What is this Study about?

Thinking skills (also known as cognitive functions), change from younger to older adulthood. In this study we are investigating how these shifting architectures of cognition and brain function relate to one another, and how these brain and cognitive changes impact decision-making in younger and older adults.

You may qualify to participate if you are: 1) 60 years of age or older, 2) right-handed, 3) in good health, 4) and have normal or corrected-to-normal vision. Participation will involve completing cognitive tasks, questionnaires, and non-invasive brain measurements using MRI. If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact [email protected]

What is this Study about?

This study is testing a digital reminder system for people living with dementia. The system sends alerts when daily routines change and collects feedback from caregivers. The goal is to improve the system’s design and usefulness. Results will help make reminder tools more supportive for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

What is this Study about?

We are conducting three separate studies to explore the effects of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease or Primary Progressive Aphasia. tDCS is a non-invasive therapy that uses low electrical currents to stimulate specific areas of the brain. Previous research has suggested that tDCS can improve symptoms such as language difficulties and may help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.

Our studies aim to investigate these effects in different contexts, including language therapy and overall mental abilities. Upon completion, participants will receive their study results to help guide their decisions about whether tDCS could be part of a long-term therapy plan.