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Research Studies

Welcome to the TDRA Research Studies Portal

(Previously Part of the Toronto Dementia Network)

This portal is for anyone interested in joining a dementia-related research study. All studies listed here are open to the public and you can browse or sign up to participate.

The studies are led by trusted scientists across the Greater Toronto Area, including at Baycrest, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University Health Network (UHN), and the University of Toronto. All studies are approved by a Research Ethics Board.

Some studies are observational, where researchers collect information without changing your care. Others are interventional, where something new—like a medicine or therapy—is tested to see how well it works.

You can explore the studies on your own, or fill out a short form to be matched to one that fits you. Each study page tells you who can take part, where it happens, and how much time it takes. If you have questions, contact us at tdra@utoronto.ca or 416-795-0929—we’re here to help.

Thank you for your interest in research. By getting involved, you’re helping move dementia prevention, diagnosis, and treatment forward.

How to Find Studies

Below, you’ll see some Quick Search buttons in light blue boxes. These help you find studies that match your needs—like studies for people with Alzheimer’s disease, caregivers/care partners, or healthy volunteers. Just click a button to see those studies.

If you want more options, you can use the filters below the quick search buttons. They let you choose things like study type, age group, who the study is for, or where it happens. Remember to hit “Apply” after choosing your filters.

If you don’t know where to start, click “Match me to a study” in the Quick Search box or scroll down to the blue box at the bottom that says “Can’t find a study you’re interested in?” Both will take you to a questionnaire that helps our staff match you to the right study. All your information is stored securely and kept private.

If you just want to browse, all available studies are listed below the filters. Click on any study description to go to the full study page. Studies are shown with the newest first—you can scroll or click through pages to see more.

Studies for people with Mild Cognitive Impairment Studies for people with Alzheimer's disease Studies for people with Frontotemporal Dementia Studies for people with Parkinson's disease dementia Studies for people with a family history of dementia Studies for older persons with depression Studies for people with dementia and responsive behaviours Studies for caregivers/care partners Studies for healthy volunteers/ controls Match me to a study

All Available Studies

Observational Study

Developing Accessible Tests for Early Alzheimer's Diagnosis

This study aims to create new memory tests that look at how people remember emotional events and how their heart rate changes, to help find early signs of memory loss.
Alzheimer’s disease |  Healthy volunteer |  Mild cognitive impairment
Baycrest
Interventional Study

Testing a New Reminder Application for People Living with Dementia

This study is testing a new digital reminder app for people living with dementia. The goal is to see how well the app works in people’s homes and learn if it is easy to use.
Mild or moderate dementia
Toronto Rehab Institute-University Health Network
Interventional Study

Accelerated Brain Stimulation for Treating Depression

This study wants to find out if ‘accelerated’ deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS), a treatment where pulses are applied over the surface of the head, is safe and acceptable for older adults living with Major Depressive Disorder who haven’t gotten better using medication. It also looks at how well the treatment works and how it affects the brain.
Major Depressive Disorder
Baycrest
Interventional Study

Accelerated Brain Stimulation to Improve Cognition

This study wants to find out if ‘accelerated’ deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS), a treatment where pulses are applied over the surface of the head, is safe and acceptable for older adults living with Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). It also looks at how well the treatment works and how it affects the brain.
Mild cognitive impairment |  Subjective cognitive decline
Baycrest
Interventional Study

Mindfulness for Parkinson’s and Caregivers

This study will explore whether an 8-week, at home, app-based mindfulness meditation program is acceptable and engaging for participant with Parkinson’s and their caregivers.
Caregivers/ Care Partners |  Parkinson’s disease
Baycrest
Interventional Study

Pilot Study Investigating Deep Brain Stimulation – A New Approach for Treating Mild Alzheimer’s Disease

This study explores Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) as a potential treatment for mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Alzheimer’s disease
University Health Network (UHN)-Toronto Western Hospital
Interventional Study

Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network Trial: An Opportunity to Prevent Dementia. A Study of Potential Disease Modifying Treatments in Individuals at Risk for or With a Type of Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Caused by a Genetic Mutation (DIAN-TU)

This study examines people with no cognitive difficulties, mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease who have genetics that causes Alzheimer’s disease. 
People with Alzheimer's disease genes
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Interventional Study

Using Nabilone to Treat Agitation in Alzheimer’s Disease

This study is testing whether nabilone, a medication based on a substance from the cannabis plant, is safe and effective to treat agitation in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. 
Alzheimer’s disease
Multi-site (3)
Interventional Study

Enhancing Frontal Lobes Plasticity and Function in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (PAS-MCI)

People with vascular conditions are at risk of having memory problems, and these memory problems increase the risk for further cognitive decline. 
Healthy volunteer |  Mild cognitive impairment
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Interventional Study

Exercise as a Primer for Excitatory Stimulation Study in Vascular Cognitive Impairment No Dementia (EXPRESS-V)

People with vascular conditions are at risk of having memory problems, and these memory problems increase the risk for further cognitive decline.
Mild cognitive impairment |  Vascular Cognitive Impairment
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

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Can't find a study you're interested in?

Give us your feedback

Do you have questions about research studies you saw on this page? 
Please contact tdra@utoronto.ca

Disclaimer

The listing of a study on the TDRA’s Research Studies Portal is for informational purposes only. The safety, efficacy or scientific validity of the studies listed here have not been evaluated by The Alzheimer Society of Toronto (AST) or the Toronto Dementia Research Alliance (TDRA). The TDRA is an academic coalition among the University of Toronto and Baycrest, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and the University Health Network. The information collected will be kept and guarded by TDRA. Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Before you participate in a study, you should make sure you understand the risks and potential benefits and discuss all options with your health care provider(s).

Presented in Partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Toronto

TDRA is proud to partner with the Alzheimer Society of Toronto (AST), a community organization focused on helping people living with dementia, their families, and care partners. Together, we created this website to make it easier for people to find and join dementia research studies. We also offer free webinars where researchers explain their studies in simple language. Progress in preventing, diagnosing, and treating dementia depends on people taking part in research. The aim of our partnership is to help more people learn about dementia, participate in research, and support this important work. For more information about dementia services and resources, please visit the AST website at https://alz.to.