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.
Quick Searches
Selecting one or more of the options below will update the content below.
- Observational StudyIn-Person
What is this Study about?
Older adults are at greater risk for experiencing a reduction in cognitive and physical function. It is imperative that we identify health behaviors and non-pharmacological (i.e., non-medication) interventions to mitigate these declines. One promising lifestyle intervention to prevent or delay the onset of such declines is exercise, which has been found to improve cognitive function (mental abilities used to perform simple and complex tasks), physical function (muscle mass, bone density) and brain health (structure and function). There is also research demonstrating that creatine, a naturally occurring compound in the body known to decrease with age, can increase muscle mass and bone density in older adults when supplemented. However, it is unclear what effects creatine may have on cognition and brain health in older adults. Thus, our project will investigate the effects of creatine supplementation on cognition and brain health in older adults when combined with different types of exercise. Given the safety, accessibility and known reduction in creatine levels with age, examining how creatine supplementation may benefit older adults is well worth investigating.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to participate in this study you must:
• be 60 years of age or older
• be living independently in the community
• have normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing
• read, write, and speak English fluently
• have feelings of memory decline in the past 5 years
• be able to exercise at a moderate pace for 60 minutes 3x/week receive clearance from a medical doctor (once deemed eligible) to participate in an exercise program
You are ineligible to participate in this study if you:
• cannot partake or commit to exercise training 3x/week for 26 weeks or have regularly engaged in exercise (more than once per week) over the past 3 months
• cannot partake or commit to consuming a daily supplement for 26 weeks or consumed nutritional supplements containing creatine monohydrate over the past 3 months
• have a known allergy to creatine monohydrate or dextrose (glucose, D-glucose)
• have been diagnosed with a neurological disorder (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease)
• have pre-existing kidney disease, heart disease, or liver abnormalities
• have one or more uncontrolled chronic or psychiatric conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, depression, anxiety)
• are taking medication that may impact kidney function (e.g., non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen)
• are ineligible or uncomfortable with blood sampling.
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn-Person
What is this Study about?
We are conducting this research to learn more about family caregivers experiences and values when it comes to making care-related decisions on behalf someone with dementia at the end of life. We hope that by understanding diversity in experiences and values, we can contribute to the development of resources to support discussions with families preparing for the end of life. Results will be summarized in a Ph.D. dissertation. Additionally, results will be shared at a research conference, and maybe at one or more conferences or webinars for healthcare researchers or employees. Finally, results may be published in a journal article.
Eligibility Criteria
over 18 years old
were involved in decision making for a family member or friend who died with dementia in Saskatchewan
your family member or friend died least 3 months ago
are comfortable speaking about your experience with your family members end of life
can read large print statements written in English
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn-Person
What is this Study about?
This study investigates whether digital activity data collected from wearable and mobile devices can be used to understand changes in cognitive functioning associated with aging and neurological conditions. Participants’ daily movement patterns and activity behaviors will be monitored using advanced tracking technology that collects detailed spatial and temporal data. Researchers will analyze these patterns using computational methods to identify digital markers associated with cognitive functioning.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you are 60 years or older, have a confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, remain relatively independent in your day-to-day life, are able and willing to wear digital activity tracking technology to monitor daily activity patterns, and are able to provide informed consent and participate in study procedures. You are also eligible to participate if you are a partner/caregiver as a healthy control.
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn-Person
What is this Study about?
McMaster University is conducting a study on the effects of brain stimulation in individuals aged 50 and older with dementia or memory loss. The research focuses on using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a noninvasive technique that delivers magnetic pulses to the brain, to enhance cognitive function and balance. The goal is to extend the positive effects of brain stimulation in improving cognition and balance in individuals with dementia.
Eligibility Criteria
1.) Diagnosed with Dementia and/or memory loss by a clinician
2.) Exhibit adequate oral communication skills and cognitive function
3.) Walk or stand with or without personnel or assistive devices
4.) Individuals must be greater than or equal to 50 years of age
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn-Person
What is this Study about?
Compass-ND is a research study designed to assess individuals with different sorts of cognitive and movement changes seen in older adults. We will look at the usefulness of imaging studies, clinical assessments and biomarker tests, together with measurements of memory, thinking and daily functioning, for distinguishing these changes from each other and from healthy aging.
Eligibility Criteria
- are between the ages 60-90
- have up to grade 12 education
- have an individual (spouse, friend, or relative), called a “study partner,” who is willing to:
- Accompany you to the study visits
- Communicate to the study staff of changes in your health status over the period of this study
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn-Person
What is this Study about?
This randomized controlled study evaluates the efficacy of a hippocampus-targeted, computerized spatial memory intervention in older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Participants (≥55 years) will be randomized to either (a) a spatial memory intervention program or (b) an active placebo. Primary outcomes are changes in memory and cognition from baseline to post-training and 6-month follow-up, assessed with standardized neuropsychological measures and validated spatial memory tasks. Secondary outcomes include everyday functioning, quality of life, perceived stress, and related psychosocial indices.
A neuroimaging sub-study acquires structural MRI and task-based fMRI to quantify hippocampal morphometry and functional recruitment; we hypothesize training-related improvements will correlate with hippocampal structural/functional change. Exploratory biomarkers (lipids, glucose/insulin for HOMA-IR, cortisol) and polygenic risk scores for dementia are obtained to control inter-individual variability and potential moderators/mediators of training response. The central hypothesis is that sustained, strategy-level engagement of hippocampus-dependent spatial memory will improve cognitive performance in MCI and yield convergent MRI biomarker signatures, supporting experience-dependent plasticity and informing scalable, non-pharmacologic interventions for delaying cognitive decline.
Eligibility Criteria
- Aged 55 years and above
- Have English or French as a primary language
- Received a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn person & Online
What is this Study about?
This study will assess if an in-vehicle Driving Monitoring System can identify differences in driving behaviours between older adults who are cognitively healthy, those with mild cognitive impairment, and those with mild dementia.
Eligibility Criteria
Participants must:
• Be 65 years or older.
• Be cognitively healthy or have mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia.
• Have a valid General class driver’s license and still driving.
• Be fluent in English.
• Own an insured vehicle of 1998 or newer model year.
• Drive to at least 2 different locations per week.
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn 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 studyRecruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn-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 lbc.spreng@gmail.com
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
Alzheimer Society of Canada
20 Eglinton Avenue West, 16th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M4R 1K8
Telephone: 1-800-616-8816
Email: research@alzheimer.ca
Charity registration number: 11878 4925 RR0001
Follow us: