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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Selecting one or more of the options below will update the content below.
- Observational StudyIn-Person
What is this Study about?
This study will uncover how bilingualism supports healthy cognitive aging by examining the influence of different language experiences on the timing and location of brain network activity. We will examine the timing of brain activity using electroencephalography (EEG; i.e., recordings of electrical brain activity) and the location of brain activity using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; i.e., images of activity in different parts of the brain). Different language experience factors will additionally be explored. By measuring multiple factors (e.g., the age of second language learning, language proficiency) the effect(s) of different language experiences on the brain and cognition will become clearer.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you:
- are a French-English bilingual over the age of 65
- have mild cognitive impairment
- have Alzheimer's disease
- are a healthy older adult (i.e., have no cognitive conditions)
Please note that you do not need to be completely fluent in both English and French, just to have some familiarity, experience or training with both languages to be eligible to participate.
Thank you for your consideration!
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn-Person
What is this Study about?
This research study examines how online search result accuracy affects people's evaluation of medical treatments, focusing on older adults with potential digital literacy challenges. Using eye-tracking, screen logging, think-aloud protocols, and interviews, the study explores how search accuracy influences judgment. The goal is to optimize trustworthy health websites and create user-friendly interfaces, enhancing health information literacy among older adults. By analyzing attention patterns, thought processes, and search result interactions, researchers aim to understand how older adults make health-related judgments online. This will inform development of search engines better suited for older adults seeking health information.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you:
- Are at least 60 years of age
- Are able to speak and understand English well
- Are able to use a computer for basic tasks (can use a mouse and keyboard)
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn-Person
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.
Eligibility Criteria
- Are between 60 and 85 years of age
- Have a diagnosis of amnestic mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s
- Have normal vision (with visual aids, if needed) and no other serious health issues
- Ability to speak English
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
CAN-PROTECT is a Canada-wide online study recruiting participants and caregivers of persons with dementia to explore how lifestyle, background, and caretaking factors affect our health, quality of life, cognition, behaviour, and function as we age. CAN-PROTECT data will be analyzed and jointly published by the University of Calgary in partnership with the University of Exeter.
Eligibility Criteria
- Age 18 years or older
- Reside in Canada
- Have access to a computer/touchscreen device
- Can provide informed consent
- Do not have a diagnosis of dementia
- Additionally, we are enrolling participants who have previously or currently care for persons with dementia for caregiver-specific assessments
- Ability to speak English
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
Surveying opinions on how to improve diversity in dementia research.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you are:
1) Involved in dementia research or services
AND / OR
2) from an underserved group* in dementia research.
3)Aged 19 +
3)Able to complete the web-based survey in one of the following languages: English, French, Chinese (simplified), Punjabi, Inuktitut.
*Underserved groups in dementia research include: Racial/ethnic minorities (i.e., South Asian, Chinese, Black, Filipino, Arab, Latin American, Southeast Asian, West Asian, Korean, Japanese, or other racial/ethnic minority) Indigenous populations (i.e., First Nations, Inuit, Métis, or other Indigenous group), Sexual/gender minorities (i.e., the LGBTQ2S+ community), Individuals living in rural and/or remote communities, Individuals living with a disability, Individuals with low social and economic conditions.
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn-Person
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.
Eligibility Criteria
Are a member of the TRIAD cohort at McGill University, falling within one of the following categories: young control, cognitively unimpaired, mild cognitive impairment, or Alzheimer's Disease.
Are willing and able to undergo advanced neuroimaging techniques including MRI and PET without contraindications.
Have not had any significant neurological conditions (other than AD for the AD group) that might interfere with the results of the study.
Have no metal implants, devices, or other conditions that may contraindicate or distort MRI imaging.
Are not currently participating in other clinical trials or studies that involve interventions which might interfere with the results of this study.
Are able and willing to provide informed consent for participation in the study or have a legally authorized representative who can do so.
Do not have a history of substance abuse or other conditions that might confound the imaging and cognitive data.
Have not undergone any significant head trauma or surgery in the past 6 months.
Are not pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the duration of the study.
Are willing to comply with all study-related procedures, imaging sessions, and follow-up evaluations.
Ability to speak English and French
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 & 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
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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