Statement on a City-Wide Standardized Clinical Cognition MRI Protocol

To the TDRA’s Community of Patients, Researchers, and Clinicians:

A key area of focus for the Toronto Dementia Research Alliance (TDRA) is the standardization of high-quality care for people living with dementia. As a part of a diagnosis, physicians order imaging – commonly a magnetic resonance image (MRI), which reveals fine details of the brain not seen otherwise. MRI brain scans play an important role in helping doctors diagnose the cause of dementia. Until recently, there has not been a standard MRI brain scan protocol used for dementia across the city. To address this, the TDRA has brought together experts in brain imaging (neuroradiologists) and dementia (neurologists) across Toronto to work toward a common approach.

The TDRA is pleased to announce agreement on a common clinical MRI protocol for dementia across partner sites. By taking such an approach, we can ensure consistent information is provided to neurologists, which improves their ability to identify the cause of dementia in their patients. This approach also creates a broad library of dementia cases to teach the next generation of doctors specializing in the brain (e.g., cognitive neurology, geriatric psychiatry and neuroradiology). In the future, a common protocol can also support research that will help us better prevent, treat and provide care for people at risk for, or living with dementia.

Below, you will see listed the partner institutes who have agreed to use our Standardized Clinical Cognition MRI protocol.

This represents a great step forward for both patients and doctors, which we are proud to lead.

Best regards,

Tarek K. Rajji
Executive Director, TDRA

Committed Users of the TDRA Standardized Clinical Cognition MRI Protocol

Institution: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Institution: The University Health Network (UHN)

Institution: St. Michael's Hospital