Webinar Series: Advances in Dementia Research

The Toronto Dementia Research Alliance (TDRA) and the Alzheimer Society of Toronto (AST) created a Research Studies section on the Toronto Dementia Network (TDN) website. This section lists information about dementia studies led by TDRA scientists that are open for participation.

To highlight the dementia studies listed on the TDN website, TDRA and AST have partnered to host a bi-monthly webinar series called Advances in Dementia Research.

Each webinar provides an overview of a research topic in dementia, and features an available research study (or studies) related to that topic. Webinars are presented in plain language by the scientists who lead the study being discussed (or ‘Primary Investigators’). These webinars are open to anyone, but are designed with people living with dementia and their caregivers/care partners in mind. Participants have the opportunity to ask questions in a Q&A period.

For upcoming webinar dates, please see Events.

Past Webinar Recordings

Updates in Research on Frontotemporal Syndromes (April 19, 2023)

Part of the 'Advances in Dementia Research' webinar series. Hosted by TDRA in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Toronto. Presented by Dr. Carmela Tartaglia, this webinar provides an overview of frontotemporal lobar degeneration-related syndromes (e.g., frontotemporal dementia). Dr. Tartaglia also reviews two Toronto-based studies that examine how frontotemporal lobar degeneration-related syndromes progress over time.

Exploring Light Therapy as a Treatment for Mild Cognitive Impairment (February 23, 2023)

Presented by Dr. Neda Rashidi-Ranjbar, this webinar reviews a study that investigates a form of non-invasive light therapy called photobiomodulation as a treatment for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI); an early stage of Alzheimer’s disease.

Understanding the Complexity of Aging and Dementia (November 17, 2022)

Presented by Dr. Sandra Black, this webinar provides an overview of the BEAM (Brain-Eye Amyloid Memory) study. The BEAM study investigates whether measurements of the eye can be used for earlier detection of dementia.

Exploring Novel Drug Treatments for Agitation in Alzheimer's Disease (September 27, 2022)

Presented by Dr. Krista L. Lanctôt, this webinar presents an overview of two ongoing clinical trials evaluating new drug treatments for agitation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Exploring Links between Sleep, Cognitive Impairment & Stroke (July 12, 2022)

Presented by Dr. Mark Boulos, this webinar discusses evidence that links sleep disorders with cognitive impairment and stroke. Dr. Boulos also explains how home sleep testing may improve outcomes in patients with cognitive dysfunction and stroke, and discusses preliminary results from a related study called ‘ENCHANT’.

Updates on Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation in Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Disorders (May 24, 2022)

Presented by Dr. Tarek Rajji, this webinar provides an overview of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques for Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, and discusses a brain stimulation study that aims to improve memory and thinking processes in people with mild cognitive impairment.

Diversifying Research in Alzheimer’s Disease – Identifying Risk and Protective Factors In Asian Populations (March 24, 2022)

In this webinar, Dr. Ho Yu from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) reviews genetic and lifestyle risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, including differences between population groups. This webinar also discusses the Asian Cohort for Alzheimer’s Disease (ACAD) study.

Updates on Diagnosis and Self Care Through Wearables and Molecular Technologies (January 11, 2022)

In this webinar, scientists from the Ontario Neurodegenerative Disease Research Initiative (ONDRI) present recent updates related to their work in studying multiple diseases that can cause dementia. Details of the Health in Aging and Neurodegeneration in Dementias in Ontario (HANDDS-ONT) study are also discussed.