Do you or your family member have a confirmed diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment or Alzheimer's?
In addition to usual care, are you interested in participating in research? This research program operates independently from this clinic. Your decision to participate or not, will not influence the care you receive here. All inquiries regarding the information should be directed toward the Cognitive Clinical Trials Group at Parkwood Institute. The Cognitive Clinical Trials Group at Parkwood Institute offers research options that may be of interest to you.
Older Canadians and Cognition
Canadians with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and other related dementias (ARD) will increase from 500,000 in 2010 to 1.25 million in 2038* Health care costs of ARD will increase from $15 billion in 2008 to $158B in 2038* 181,000 people living in Ontario have dementia. This does not include those under 65 or those undiagnosed There are both intrinsic (age, gender, ethnicity, genetics) and extrinsic (diet, exercise, sleep, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, atrial fibrillation, head injury/concussion, education) risk factors for dementia In addition to usual care, many do not know about the opportunities to participate in observational or interventional research trials or about Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging that can measure change in the brain.
Clinical Research in ADRD - Investigator Initiated Studies
Currently we are recruiting participants with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), AD and other dementias to the Canadian Collaboration for Neurodegeneration and Aging (CCNA). This study includes MRI neuroimaging, neuropsychology testing, gait studies, genetic analysis and novel biomarkers to detect and predict progression of cognitive impairment/Dementia.
Clinical Trials for Novel Drug Compounds
We are conducting international Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with potentially disease modifying compounds for participants with SCI, MCI and AD (mild/moderate severity). In the fall of 2015, we began a trial using Ambroxol for people diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease Dementia. In 2017, we will begin a multi-site trial using Oxytocin for people with Frontal Temporal Dementia who lack empathy.
Spectrum of Cognitive Decline
MRI Brain Imaging can measure the volume of brain structures such as the memory centre (hippocampus) over time. Research PET Brain scans can now measure amyloid protein accumulation (also called ‘plaques’) and are required to qualify to enter most drug studies. Research PET scans can also detect Tau protein accumulation (also called ‘tangles’) that are associated with progressive cognitive impairment. Investigators at our research centre are exploring both drug and non-drug approaches to the treatment and understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias (ADRD).