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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- Clinical TrialIn-Person
What is this Study about?
It is expected that the information collected during this study will be used in analyses and will be published/presented to the scientific community at meetings and in journals. This information may also be used as part of a submission to regulatory authorities around the world to support the approval of the study intervention for agitation in AD.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you meet the following criteria:
• Age ≥ 55; females must be post-menopausal
• DSM-5 criteria for Major Neurocognitive Disorder due to AD; multiple etiologies (AD and vascular)
• sMMSE ≤ 24
• Clinically significant agitation based on IPA definition
• Stable cognition-enhancing medication for at least 3 months prior to study enrolment
• Availability of a caregiver to accompany participant to study visits and to participate in the study
• Ability to speak English
Recruitment End Date
- Clinical TrialOnline & In-Person
What is this Study about?
To examine the effects of a stress management program on well-being, stress, and cognition in family caregivers of someone with dementia or a related neurodegenerative disorder. We will be recruiting participants from 2023 - 2027.
Eligibility Criteria
- are a primary family caregiver of a person with dementia or a related neurodegenerative disorder.
- have access to a computer with high-speed internet; and feel comfortable using email and Zoom (a secure online meeting platform).
- have a video camera on your device. To ensure safety of participants during the program sessions, it is important that participants turn on their video camera. Keeping the video camera on is also important to build trust within the group sessions and when interacting with the researchers.
- are willing to be randomised to one of 3 groups, even if it is not your preferred group.
- are able to commit to a synchronous 8-week online group-based program (described below) and complete daily prescribed daily home practices.
- are able to commit to three assessment sessions: one baseline assessment, one post-program assessment, one 12-month follow-up assessment.
- agree to audio recording of interview sessions and portions of the assessment that require accurate verbal data collection.
- are able to provide blood samples, potentially after a 12-hour fast.
- are able to travel to a LifeLabs clinic for biomarker collection.
- agree to refrain from participating in new studies or programs during the 8-week study session.
- meet the screening criteria during the pre-screening interview.
- ability to speak English.
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 StudyOnline & In-Person
What is this Study about?
Researchers at the University of Waterloo are looking for individuals to participate in a research study that explores the perceptions of dementia and health-seeking behaviour amongst Arab care partners in Ontario. This study aims to understand how dementia is perceived by Arab care partners and the use of dementia-related health services and community support services.
Sharing your experience will help us to understand 1) how dementia is perceived by Arab care partners and 2) the use of dementia-related health services and community support services.
Eligibility Criteria
We are looking for individuals who:
1. Are from the Arab community AND
2. Are a family member who cares or has cared for a person living with dementia OR Are a family member who cares or has cared for a person with memory challenges
Interviews can be conducted in Arabic or English based on the participants' preference
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline & In-Person
What is this Study about?
The purpose of this study is to assess whether a virtually-delivered healthy lifestyle intervention (over Zoom) is feasible for individuals who feel that their memory or thinking is declining.
Eligibility Criteria
-Are between the age of 65-85
-Are concerned about your memory and other thinking abilities
-Have access to internet at home
-Are a resident of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, or Quebec
Recruitment End Date
- 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
- 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 & 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?
VRx@Home 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
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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