What is this Study about?

In this study we aim to explore the motivations and impacts of disclosure a personal diagnosis of dementia or being a care partner on social media. The overall goal of the study is to develop an evidence-based resource to promote benefits of social media for the dementia community while minimizing its harms.

What is this Study about?

We aim to explore how gender, social, and sensory factors influence the experiences of people who are living with cognitive decline and their spouses. We will complete a 90-min in-person interview with dyads (people living with cognitive decline and their spouses). Individuals are eligible to participate if the older person or their spouse lives with memory problems, experiences hearing impairment, and if the dyad has ever lived together in the community. Results may help identify ways to support the well-being of individuals with cognitive impairment and their spouses, paving the way for future studies.

What is this Study about?

Early detection of brain changes is crucial to prevent cognitive decline and dementia. This study uses electroencephalography (EEG) to record the brain's electrical signals during simple tasks, with the hope of validating a measure that can improve early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.

We are recruiting 150 individuals with mild memory issues and mild dementia at Baycrest in Toronto and Bruyère in Ottawa. In a separate study we are also recruiting older adults with no memory problems. The results of both studies together will help us determine if our new EEG measure can detect abnormal changes in brain health early on and if it can help predict future cognitive changes. We hope that this new test will be used in the clinic to identify individuals who may benefit the most from early treatment and interventions.

What is this Study about?

The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of receiving a dementia diagnosis in northwestern Ontario healthcare systems in order to improve the diagnosis process for others who may be diagnosed in the future, and physicians/health care providers who diagnose people with dementia.

What is this Study about?

This study aims to explore how the website, the Driving and Dementia Roadmap (DDR), is experienced by and impacts how people with dementia and family/friend carers manage the driving cessation process. Participants will be asked to use the DDR for 2-6 weeks, record their thoughts in a diary and take part in an interview or focus group.

What is this Study about?

Alert systems such as United States’ Silver Alert and Scotland’s Purple Alert support first responders in locating missing persons with dementia. In Canada, provinces are responsible for Silver Alerts. To date, Alberta and Manitoba amended Missing Persons Acts, but have no Silver Alerts. British Columbia has a citizen-led Silver Alert, yet no provincial legislation. This study examines how policies and programs for alert systems are developed and implemented in Canada, Scotland, and the United States. Findings will inform policies and implementation of alert systems to optimize the safety and well-being of people living with dementia at risk of going missing.

What is this Study about?

Surveying opinions on how to improve diversity in dementia research.

What is this Study about?

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.

What is this Study about?

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.