Selecting one or more of the options below will update the content below.

Age Group
Type of Study
Study Format
Location
Target Population
  • Observational Study
    In person

    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.

    Eligibility Criteria

    Are 60 years or older
    -Have a diagnosis of mild Alzheimer's Disease
    -Are fluent in English
    -Have a personal caregiver willing to join the study

    Recruitment End Date

  • Observational Study
    In person and online

    What is this Study about?

    Help Us Improve Support for Alzheimer’s Caregivers

    We are inviting caregivers, healthcare providers, community organizations, and Alzheimer’s societies to take part in a research study focused on improving support for people caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

    What is this study about?
    We know that caregiving is a journey that changes over time, but many caregivers don’t have access to tools or services that meet their evolving needs. This study aims to change that by bringing together caregivers and professionals to co-create practical resources and tools that support caregivers through each stage of the disease.

    What will participation involve?
    Participation will mostly take place virtually and includes online surveys, focus groups, and/or one-on-one interviews through secure platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. You’ll be asked about your experiences with caregiving and the services available to you. Later, we’ll host in-person co-design sessions to work together on building useful tools and guidance for caregivers.

    Why join?
    By participating, you’ll have the chance to reflect on your experience, identify gaps in current services, and help shape resources that better support caregivers like you. You may also learn about services you didn’t know existed. Your input will directly inform more responsive and timely support for caregivers and people living with Alzheimer’s.

    Eligibility Criteria

    1. Caregivers who are providing care to a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, particularly those in the following caregiving stages: o Monitoring initial symptoms o Navigating diagnosis o Assisting with instrumental and basic activities of daily living o Preparing for the future

    o Monitoring initial symptoms

    o Navigating diagnosis

    o Assisting with instrumental and basic activities of daily living

    o Preparing for the future

    2. Service providers (e.g., healthcare professionals, social workers, home care aides) who deliver Alzheimer’s related care or services to individuals in these caregiving stages

    Recruitment End Date

  • Observational Study
    In person and online

    What is this Study about?

    Many older adults start to experience poorer sleep quality as they age, which can be associated with worse memory and cognition. Previous studies have shown that sleep can be improved when quiet sounds are presented at the right times during slow-wave sleep. We are interested in whether we can improve sleep and associated memory and cognitive function using these sounds in older adults. Information gathered from this study will be used to inform whether quiet sounds presented during slow-wave sleep can improve sleep, memory, and cognitive function.

    Eligibility Criteria

    Are 60 and older with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI) You must be able to read, speak, or understand English.

     If you do not have:

    1) major psychiatric or neurological disorders

    2) moderate to severe depressive or anxiety symptoms

    (3) sleep disorders

    (4) serious medical illness

    (5) known stroke or transient ischemic attack

    (6) alcohol or substance abuse

    (7) a history of seizures

    (8) chronic use of psychoactive or hypnotic medications, or use of any medication that alters sleep

    (9) significant hearing loss or hearing aid use

    (10) untreated moderate or severe sleep apnea on a home sleep apnea test.

    Participants with well-controlled sleep apnea will be eligible to participate provided they are able to use their CPAP machine or other treatment device throughout the study

    Recruitment End Date

  • Observational Study
    In-Person

    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]

    Eligibility Criteria

    You are eligible to participate if you:

    - Are aged 60 years or older

    - Are right-handed

    - Are cognitively healthy

    - Are able to come in-person to our site, located at the Montreal Neurological Institute

    - Have no metal in your body (e.g., pacemaker, metal plates, orthopedic devices, etc.)

    - Speak English or French

    Recruitment End Date

  • Observational Study
    In person and online

    What is this Study about?

    This research aims to explore the perspectives of older adults living with dementia, providing a nuanced understanding of their experiences and challenges. Second, it seeks to investigate the role of physical activities in their lives, examining how engagement in such activities influences their cognitive function and mental well-being. Finally, this research aims to inform interventions and policies that can support older adults in maintaining their cognitive health and overall well-being.


    The data will be used for the researcher’s master’s thesis, and for publishing peer-reviewed and non-peer reviewed articles, conference presentations, webinars, and presentations for professionals.

    Eligibility Criteria

    1.You are eligible to participate if you are a member of the Minds in Motion program.
    2.You are eligible to participate if you age 65 and above.
    3.You are eligible to participate if you are diagnosed with mild-to-moderate dementia.
    4.You are eligible to participate if you actively engaged in some form of physical activity in addition to minds in motion physical activities (e.g. swimming, nature walks, aerobics, chair exercises).
    5. You are eligible to participate if you can give informed consent.

    Recruitment End Date

  • Observational Study
    In person and online

    What is this Study about?

    This study aims to evaluate the acceptance and usability of the GuardIO Family Care app, a mobile application designed to support community safety for individuals living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment and their care partners. The study also aims to analyze mobility patterns collected from the app to explore how mobility data can contribute to the early detection of cognitive impairment. The findings will help improve app design, inform care strategies, and support early intervention efforts for individuals living with dementia or MCI.

    Eligibility Criteria

    You are eligible to participate if you:

    Are 18 years of age or older

    Are living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia, or are a care partner of someone with MCI or dementia

    Are able to use a smartphone or tablet with the GuardIO app

    Are willing to participate in the study activities, including using the app, completing questionnaires, and attending an optional focus group

    Can understand and communicate in English (or another supported language, if applicable)

    Recruitment End Date

  • Observational Study
    In-Person and Online

    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.

    Eligibility Criteria

    You are eligible to participate if you are a person living with dementia and you:
    - Have a clinical diagnosis of mild to moderate dementia
    - Were diagnosed within the past 2 years
    - Speak and understand English
    - Are able to give informed consent
    - Have internet access at home
    - Are part of a caregiver-participant pair (dyad)

    You are eligible to participate if you are a caregiver and you:
    - Are an informal caregiver (family member or friend)
    - Provide at least 30 hours of care per week to a person living with dementia
    - Speak and understand English
    - Are able to give informed consent
    - Can participate in a home setup session and follow-up interview

    Recruitment End Date

  • Clinical Trial
    In-Person

    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.

    Eligibility Criteria

    Person living with Alzheimer's disease

    Recruitment End Date

  • Observational Study
    In-Person

    What is this Study about?

    The study involves a primary session of paper-and-pencil tasks, and a second session of a computer task, while your heart rate and brain activity is monitored. The aim of the study is to examine how signals are affected from the body to the brain.

    Eligibility Criteria

    - You are between the ages of 18-30 or 60-85

    - Free from conditions (other than amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI)) which affect cognition or cardiac health

    - Fluent in the English language

    - Have normal or corrected-to-normal vision

    Recruitment End Date