Executive Director's Message

Dementia has now surpassed cancer as the leading cause of death in the UK for the second consecutive year [1]. There is little reason to believe the situation is significantly different here in Canada. We are entering a new era—one in which neurodegenerative diseases are becoming the defining challenge to population health. The time to act is now.

“The future is not about managing decline, but about rewriting the course of neurodegeneration.”

Mission Statement
As Executive Director of the Toronto Dementia Research Alliance (TDRA), I am committed to driving progress in dementia research and care through innovation, collaboration, and real-world impact.

With a paradigm shift underway in neurodegenerative disease, what once seemed impossible is now within reach. Together with our partners—Baycrest, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Sunnybrook, the University Health Network, and the University of Toronto— TDRA will play a central role in driving this transformation across Toronto, Ontario, and Canada by:

• Fostering collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and institutions to accelerate breakthroughs that improve the detection, prevention, and treatment of dementia.
• Translating research into practice by developing innovative tools and therapies that redefine care pathways for people living with dementia and their families.
• Empowering future leaders through cutting-edge training programs that equip healthcare providers with the skills to meet the growing complexity of dementia care.
• Championing innovation by embracing emerging technologies and approaches to advance personalized medicine and improve outcomes.

Our vision is bold but achievable: a future where dementia is preventable, manageable, and ultimately curable. Through seamless collaboration and a commitment to excellence, TDRA is shaping that future – ensuring that every discovery brings us closer to improving lives across the province and beyond.

Transforming Dementia, Together.

Carmela Tartaglia, MD, FRCPC
Executive Director, TDRA

[1] https://www.dementiauk.org/news/dementia-named-uk-leading-cause-of-death/