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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- Observational StudyIn-Person
What is this Study about?
This study is exploring the viability of a potential treatment for cognitive decline in dementia by attempting to improve the brain's ability to hold onto information temporarily while doing things like reading lists, having a conversation, or problem-solving. The results from this study will inform future research in improving working memory and cognition in people living with dementia.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you are:
1) Diagnosed with Dementia and/or memory loss by a clinician
2) Exhibit adequate oral communication skills and cognitive function sufficient to obtain a score over 10 on the Mini-Mental State Exam
3) Over the age of 55
4) Speaks English
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
This study measures how well an online assessment measures brain health on mobile devices. The assessment includes different memory and attention tasks completed on a mobile device or tablet. We are also looking for volunteers for a one-session study to support the development of the desktop version of the Brain Health Assessment.
Eligibility Criteria
- Are between the ages of 20–35, 50–65, or 80–95
- Are fluent in English
- Have no significant concerns about memory, and have no mild cognitive impairment, vascular dementia, Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, any cancer treated with chemotherapy, brain tumour, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, or current depression
- Have access to a mobile/tablet and/or a computer
- Are comfortable using a mobile/tablet and/or a computer and have internet access
- Have not completed Cogniciti’s Brain Health Assessment in the past 6 months
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
This study explores men’s thoughts and beliefs about unpaid caregiving for older adults in Canada in a 25-minute online survey. The findings will improve our understanding of men in Canadian society. This will help us to improve support and education opportunities for individuals with family members with long-term care needs.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you:
- Identify as a man
- Have and support a family member with long-term physical or mental ill health issues, disability, or problems related to old age
- Are 18 years of age or older
- Speak EnglishRecruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
Exposure to nature—even just a few minutes at a time—supports improved attention, mood, self-regulation, and social connection.
“Green health initiatives” are outdoor or nature-based activities designed to have a potential positive impact on health. Some of these initiatives are specifically designed to include people living with dementia. These can include walking groups, golfing, farm gardening programs, and seasonal social activities located in parks or natural spaces. We are currently conducting an international literature review to find out more about when and how green health initiatives operate to generate benefits for people living with dementia. As part of this initiative, we are planning a series of three consultation events to learn more about the interests of people living with dementia. For each consultation, participants will receive a $20 Tim Horton's gift card in thanks for their time.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible if you are currently living with dementia.
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
This study evaluates an at-home, digital cognitive screening tool for older adults experiencing memory changes across the dementia continuum. Participants will complete a brief series of engaging, online brain games and surveys to determine the tool's accuracy compared to traditional clinical assessments. The goal of this study is to provide accessible, patient-friendly monitoring of brain health that reduces the need for clinic travel and lowers barriers to early detection of dementia.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you:
Are 50 years of age or older
Either have healthy cognition or are experiencing noticeable memory or thinking changes (Subjective Cognitive Decline), or have a clinical diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or dementia.
Have access to a computer, laptop, or tablet with a reliable internet connection.
Are able to provide informed consent, or have a legally authorized Substitute Decision Maker (SDM) who can provide consent on your behalf.
Have adequate vision and motor skills to view a screen and tap or click to respond to prompts (such as a choice reaction time task), using glasses or standard aids if necessary.
Are able to read and communicate in English.
Do not have comorbid psychiatric conditions that interfere with cognitive function Do not have a history of brain injury or neurodevelopmental disorders
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
This study examines how Black family caregivers in the Greater Toronto Area experience and access social support while caring for a relative living with dementia. Using Straussian Grounded Theory informed by Critical Theory and Intersectionality, the research explores how factors such as race, culture, gender, and community shape caregiving experiences and support-seeking behaviours. Findings will be used to develop theory grounded in the lived experiences of Black caregivers, and to inform more culturally responsive dementia care policies, services, and supports across Canada. This study has been approved by the York University Research Ethics Board (Protocol 130, April 2026).
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to participate if you:
- self-identify as Black (for example, African, Caribbean, Black Canadian, Afro-Latin, or another Black identity)
- are 18 years of age or older
- live in the Greater Toronto Area
- provide unpaid care to a family member living with dementia
- can speak and understand English well enough to take part in an interview
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyIn-Person
What is this Study about?
The goal of this study is to investigate whether very small doses of a drug called levetiracetam (LEV) may reduce abnormal brain signaling in the brain in individuals who are at an increased risk for developing Alzheimer's Disease. Only participants who show the abnormal brain signaling on a functional MRI (fMRI) scan of the brain will be enrolled in the study. Enrolled participants will receive 4 weeks of treatment with LEV and 4 weeks of treatment with placebo (a sugar pill). The study involves cognitive testing, genetic testing, bloodwork, ECGs, questionnaires and several brain imaging scans.
Eligibility Criteria
• Are between 55-85 years of age
• Have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s disease or with dementia that may be due to Alzheimer’s disease (even if not diagnosed as such)
• Feel your memory is getting worse
• Get normal scores on tests of thinking and memory (will be done as part of the study)
• Are able to undergo brain MRI scans
• Have a study partner (friend or family member) willing to answer questionnaires about you
• Show increased brain signaling during the screening fMRI scan (Note: We anticipate that most people who sign up for the study will NOT show the increased brain activity levels required to qualify for the study treatment)
Recruitment End Date
- Observational StudyOnline
What is this Study about?
This study looks at how an at-home nature-based virtual reality (VR) program may help people living with Alzheimer’s Disease manage behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), such as depression. Caregivers and/or study partners will have the option of taking part in the study and providing feedback regarding the VR intervention. This project will explore how virtual reality can be used as a non-pharmacological approach to prolong aging in place for individuals with BPSD, as BPSD contributes to rates of institutionalization.
Eligibility Criteria
- Are 50 years or older
- Have been diagnosed with mild to early-moderate Alzheimer's disease (including mixed dementia)
- Are medically stable and able to take part safely
- Experience mild to moderate depressive symptoms
- Feel comfortable using basic technology, such as a tablet or headset
- Have access to Wi-Fi and a smart device (such as a phone or tablet) for online sessions and study apps
- Have someone available to be present during all study sessions
Recruitment End Date
- 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
Alzheimer Society of Canada
20 Eglinton Avenue West, 16th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M4R 1K8
Telephone: 1-800-616-8816
Email: [email protected]
Charity registration number: 11878 4925 RR0001
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