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?
Increasing evidence shows that listening to music from childhood and early adulthood can help recall meaningful events from the past. Importantly, people with dementia have shown to benefit from listening to personally meaningful music, suggesting that musical memory remains preserved. However, the underlying mechanisms by which music improves memory remains unclear.
My research addresses the impact of an autobiographically salient music listening program on memory and brain activity in mild cognitive impairment. Understanding how brainwave activity in this population may differ, will help elucidate mechanisms of music listening that lead to cognitive improvements, ultimately providing insight into musical memory preservation and how it can be leveraged.
Participants will undergo cognitive testing and measure brainwave activity via EEG, a non-invasive neuroimaging method. Participants will be provided an online link (or CD if they do not have wifi) to access their personalized music playlist and will be asked to listen for two weeks at home (20 mins/day, minimum 5 days/wk). Repeated cognitive and EEG assessment will help determine changes in brain function.
Eligibility Criteria
- are 60 years of age and over
- have received a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment; or are generally healthy
- are English speaking
- have a minimum of high school education
- have adequate hearing and vision
- can identify 15 English vocal/lyrical songs that are associated to your personal memories
- can commit to listening to your personal playlist (20 mins) at-home for 2 weeks (minimum 5 days/week)
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn-Person
What is this Study about?
The aim of our study is to better understand whether certain lifestyle factors (such as physical activity and hearing) are related to early changes in memory and thinking abilities in older adults. We are especially interested in enrolling individuals who are South Asian or East Asian, because little research has focused on brain health in Canadians of diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds.
By participating, you will help us better understand how lifestyle factors are related to memory and thinking changes in adults from diverse communities. We hope that this will lead to improved prevention and early intervention strategies for dementia.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you…
- Are 55-85 years old
- Have no major medical or psychiatric diagnoses
- Are comfortable speaking and reading English
- Are able to undergo an MRI scan
-Speak English
Eligibility is dependent on an additional conversation with the study team.
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
People with dementia are at risk of falling due to poor balance and fear of falling. Active video games (games played by moving) could help by providing exercise to people with dementia. However, there are no user-friendly active video games for this population.
You are invited to take part in a research study looking to develop and test an active video game for people with dementia. You will be asked questions about: (a) your experiences caring for a person with dementia; (b) falls, fear of falling, and balance/mobility issues in dementia; and (c) your input on the game's initial design.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate in this study if you:
(a) live in Canada;
(b) speak English; and
(c) are a family caregiver for a person living with dementia.
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline & In-Person
What is this Study about?
This study, "Stranger than Family: Decision-Making & Ethics of Substitution for People Living With
Dementia Going It Alone", explores how people facing dementia alone are connected with a substitute
decision-maker and how ideas about capacity, consent, and decision-making affect them.
Interviews will be conducted with:
- People who are facing dementia alone
- Healthcare and social service workers
- Substitute decision-makers for others who are not close family members or close friends
The overall goal of this study is to identify opportunities for advocacy, policy, and practice change to
better support people facing dementia alone.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you:
- Live in Ontario or Alberta AND
- Have a diagnosis of dementia or are at-risk and planning for a future living with dementia and are
facing dementia alone OR
- Are a healthcare or social service worker, or other professional who has experience trying to connect
adult clients with a substitute decision-maker OR
- Have experience as a substitute decision-maker for someone living with dementia who is not a close
family member or friend
In addition, to be eligible you must:
- Be able to participate in an interview over the phone, on Zoom, or in-person AND
- Understand the purpose of the study and what participation involves
-Speak English
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn-Person and Online
What is this Study about?
[email protected] is a 5-week virtual reality at-home intervention with the goal to explore whether virtual reality experiences can enhance communication between persons living with dementia and their care partners. We also aim to explore how a head-mounted VR system, which delivers a fully immersive experience compares to a Tablet-based technology.
Eligibility Criteria
- Persons living with mild-to-moderate dementia who are living at home
- Person living with dementia has no history of stroke, bypass surgery, or seizure disorders
- A friend/family care partner who speaks and understands English and is willing to also participate in the intervention
- Resides in Greater Toronto Area (Toronto, Peel, Halton, York, and Durham regions)
- Individuals who speak English
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyElisabeth Bruyère Hospital 43 Bruyère Street Ottawa, ON
What is this Study about?
The study is aiming to assess whether nutritional intervention with personalized, preselected prebiotics can affect cognitive function in those with Alzheimer’s disease. This study is placebo-controlled, and participants will be randomized to either the placebo or prebiotic.
Eligibility Criteria
- Aged 60 or older
- Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, or Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Has someone who can be their study partner
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn-Person
What is this Study about?
We want to determine if a nutrition questionnaire (SCREEN) works well to identify nutrition challenges for older adults with diagnosed memory problems, cognitive impairment or dementia when completed by themselves, or by a care partner on behalf of their cared for person.
Eligibility Criteria
You may be eligible if you are:
• 55 years or older
• Read/speak English
• Live within 45km of Waterloo, Guelph or London.
AND are an:
• Older adult with diagnosed memory problems, cognitive impairment or dementia with a care partner who either lives with you, or who is in daily contact with you and would be able to support reporting of their eating behaviours
• If living in a retirement home, the older adult must have lived in their home for at least 3 months and receive 2 or more meals each day from their retirement home
Recruitment End Date
- Clinical TrialCanada-Wide
What is this Study about?
This is a randomized Phase IIa, multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a new buccal film of montelukast in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease.
Eligibility Criteria
50 years or older, with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease
Recruitment End Date
- Clinical TrialOntario
What is this Study about?
Participants will receive drug treatment via IV in clinic on Day 1 and every 4 weeks thereafter.
Eligibility Criteria
- Age 50-85 years old
- Diagnosis of early AD
Recruitment End Date
Alzheimer Society of Canada
20 Eglinton Avenue West, 16th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M4R 1K8
Information and Referral Line: 1-855-705-4636
Email: [email protected]
Charity registration number: 11878 4925 RR0001
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