Research Studies:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Family Caregivers of older adults with dementia
Conducted by: Brain Health Mood Clinic/ Cognitive Behavior Therapy at Baycrest
Contact: Ursula Wiprzycka 416-785-2500 ext. 3633
Length of Study: for at least two years beginning January 2007.
Purpose of Study: The purpose of this study is to determine whether clinically depressed or anxious spousal caregivers who receive group cognitive behavioural therapy experience significant improvements in their mood and coping skills, as well as in their ability to manage dementia-related challenging behaviours.

Older Lesbian & Bisexual Women's Experiences with Home Care Services
Conducted by: A Grigorovich, Women's Studies, York University
Contact: Alisa Grigorovich 416-629-1035, alisag@yorku.ca
Length of Study: Recruitment March to September 2011. 2 hour interview.
Purpose of Study:The goal of my research is to see whether home care services in our community adequately support older lesbian and bisexual women and explore what changes need to be made to home care services to ensure that they are supportive of and relevant to older lesbian and bisexual women’s needs.

  For Persons with Dementia and Their Families    

Botulinum Toxin for Patients wtih Cognitive Impairment and Paratonia
Conducted by: Assistive Technology Clinic, Baycrest
Contact: Research Coordinator: Daniel Harmic, 416-784-3600
Length of Study: Recruitment begins January 2011, will end January 2012.
Purpose of Study: The study will examine the effects of injecting Botulinum toxin to reduce muscle stiffness, pain and difficulty getting care in people with dementia.

Citalopram for Agitation in Alzheimer's Disease
Conducted by: Toronto site: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Geriatric Mental Health Program
Contact: Minh Nguyen, Research Analyst 416-535-8501 ext.3532 , Minhquan_Nguyen@camh.net
Length of Study: Recruitment started October, 2009. Study will run for approximately 3 years.
The participant and their caregiver will be asked to come to the clinic for a 1 hour screening visit. Participants are required to visit the clinic at 3, 6 and 9 weeks. The participant and the caregiver will be contacted by telephone between visits.
Purpose of Study: To determine if a medication called Citalopram is helpful to people with Alzheimer’s disease who are experiencing symptoms of significant agitation.
Memory Loss and Changes in Self-Understanding
Conducted by: University of Toronto, Psychology Department
Contact: Research Assistant: Alice Kim, 416-785-2500 ext, 1938, aa.kim@utoronto.ca
Principle Investigator: Dr Romin Tafarodi
Length of Study: Participants will be asked to attend one 1 hour session.
Purpose of Study: This study will investigate how one subjectively experiences memory loss in relation to their personal identity.
A study of Gantenerumab in patients with Prodromal Alzheimer’s Disease (“SCarlet RoAD)”
Conducted by: Centre for Memory and Aging
Contact: Dr G Marotta, 416-663-6897, info@memorycentre.ca
Length of Study: Recruitment to continue into 2012. 2 years and 5 months (approx 42 appointments)
Purpose of Study: The Scarlett RoAD study will investigate whether a new medication that is currently being developed (gantenerumab) can help prevent worsening symptoms in people who may be in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. This stage of the disease is called Prodromal Alzheimer’s disease.


If you have a Toronto based dementia specific research study you would like us to promote, just fill in our survey and send it to mcameron@alzheimertoronto.org. For further information please call Margaret Cameron at 416-640-6320.