List of researchers signaling their interest in joining the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA)

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Name/Title/ Research Institution/ Organization	Website	Areas of expertise relevant to the CCNA	Areas of research interests within the scope of the scope of the call
Patricia McKinley, Associate Professor, McGill University School of Physical and Occupational Therapy	School of Physical & Occupational Therapy, McGill University	Motor control, kinesiology, exercise physiology, activity analysis, social interaction.	Leisure based activities that promote mental and physical health and well being in vulnerable populations.
Heather Keller, Schlegel Research Chair Nutrition & Aging, Professor, Schlegel-Waterloo Research Institute for Aging, Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo	Dr. Heather Keller's website	Nutrition risk screening, nutrition/dietary assessment. Nutrition interventions to promote weight maintenance/nutritional status in persons with dementia. Mealtime interventions to promote quality of life for persons with dementia. Qualitative and quantitative methodological expertise. Using qualitative methods, conducted a 6-year longitudinal study with persons with dementia and their primary family care partners, on the experience and meaning of mealtimes. This leads to the development of the Life Nourishment theory which identifies that beyond nutrients and pleasure with eating, mealtimes provide a sense of belonging and connection as well as honouring of identity that supports the quality of life of persons with dementia and their family partners in care.	Primary prevention: promotion of healthy eating in late middle-age and older adults to promote nutritional status, reduce sarcopenia and maintain healthy body weight. Secondary prevention: promotion of quality diet and modification of risk factors that can impair food intake post identification of MCI or early stage dementia with the goal of maintaining nutritional status to delay progession and assist care partners with coping. Using mealtimes as a focus for continuity of identity and roles. Quality of life: the importance of food to well-being beyond nutrients. Specifically how the mealtimes can promote connection and honour identity, thus promoting improved quality of life. Promotion of person-centred care with respect to meals in residential homes.
Marco A.M. Prado, Professor and Scientist, Robarts Research Institute	Marco Antonio Maximo Prado, Robarts Research	Generation of genetically-modified mice, animal models of Alzheimer's; behavioral analysis; cell signaling in Alzheimer's disease; biology of the prion protein; prion diseases, cognitive function; dementia and cholinergic function.	Animal models of Alzheimer's disease; drug development and high throughput behavioral testing; toxicity of Abeta peptides; novel pharmacological strategies in Alzheimer's disease.
Minh Dang Nguyen, Associate Professor, University of Calgary, Hotchkiss Brain Institute	University of Calgary, Hotchkiss Brain Institute	Neurodegeneration, aging, cytoskeleton, cell signaling, molecular/cellular biology, mouse models.	Primary prevention through the elucidation of mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders with cognitive deficits. My laboratory has generated a unique new mouse model with synaptic and dendritic pathologies reminiscent of neurodegenerative disorders with cognitive dysfunction (unpublished). By characterizing this mouse model we may identify new targets and strategies for the prevention of these diseases.
Sheila Novek, PhD student, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba	umnovek@cc.umanitoba.ca	Dementia care and quality of life. Early-onset dementia. Nursing home care. Long-term care human resources. Immigrant care workers. Care transitions. Family caregiving. Qualitative health research methods.	I will be commencing the PhD program in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba in September 2013. For my dissertation, I plan to conduct a mixed methods study examining the care pathways and health service needs of people with early-onset dementia across the continuum of care. I am interested in participating in the quality of life theme. Specifically, I am interested in contributing to research related to dementia care, access to care, long-term care, family caregiving, and research involving minority populations with dementia (e.g., young people, ethnic minorities, Aboriginal Peoples, and people with intellectual disabilities).
Alok S Tripathi, P. Wadhwani College of Pharmacy, Yavatmal (MS) India 445001		Diabetic complications, bioanalysis, drug interaction studies.	Diabetic complications.
Gerlinde A. Metz, Dr. Sc. nat. habil., Professor of Neuroscience, AHFMR Senior Scholar, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge	Metz Behavioural Neuroscience Lab	Parkinson's disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, animal models, neurofunctional assessment, environmental risk factors, prediction, epigenetics, perinatal determinants, aging, transgenerational programming, knowledge translation.	Networking and collaboration in assessing the neuropathological processes of Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke and others; knowledge translation; improvement of animal models; behavioural test strategies; epigenetic profiling.
Gregory Fairn, Staff Scientist and Assistant Professor, St. Michael's Hospital, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto	St. Michael's Hospital, Keenan Research Centre	Single cell microscopy, lipidomics, signal transduction, phagocytosis, endocytosis, innate immunity, vesicular trafficking, lysosomal maturation, TIRF.	Scavenger and apoptotic body receptors in the brain and CNS, their role in tissue homeostasis and regulating the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory signalling in the aging brain and after brain injury. Cellular lipidomics and membrane nanodomains/lipid rafts. The sub-compartmentalization of cellular membranes is important for cellular function. Yet, their presence and functionality likely decrease during aging and neurodegenration. Oxidatively modified lipids and their impact on endocytosis, phagocytosis and the degradative capacity of the lysosomes.
Anne Dull Baird, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Windsor	University of Windsor, Centre for the Study of Cognition and Function across Adulthood	Clinical neuropsychological assessment of older adults.	Collaborative therapeutic neuropsychological assessment of older adults, as a way of promoting healthy adjustment in those with and without cognitive impairment and as a basis for intervention-facilitating function in older adults with and without cognitive dysfunction -preventing cerebrovascular disease and promoting recovery from stroke as a way of reducing risk for manifestation of Alzheimer's disease.
William Jia, Associate Professor and Investigator, Brain Research Centre, UBC		Molecular virology virus, mediated gene therapy, TDP-43 cell biology, drug discovery from natural products.	TDP-43 proteinopathies Progranulin Neuroprotection and cognitive enhancement by natural products.
Jalila Jbilou, Chercheure Professeure associée, Unité de médecine familiale de Dieppe-Réseau de santé Vitalité, Centre de formation médicale du NB, École de psychologie, Université de Moncton.		Transfert de connaissances. Collaboration synergique entre santé publique et services cliniques de 1ère ligne. Organisation des services de santé. Cybersanté.	Prévention secondaire. Qualité de vie.
Dr. William J. Tippett, Assistant Professor, University of Northern British Columbia	University of British Columbia, Brain Research Unit	Alzheimer's disease, aging, stroke, rehabilitation, neuroscience, cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment.	Cognitive rehabilitation, diagnosis, treatment intervention including physical and mental.
Benedict Albensi, Everett Endowment Fund Chair, Associate Professor of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Adjunct Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Principal Investigator, St-Boniface Research Ctr., University of Manitoba	St-Boniface Hospital, Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders	Aging Alzheimer's disease. Memory decline and memory impairments. Seizures and epilepsy. Head trauma and stroke. Electrophysiology MRI. Cell/molecular assays, behavioural tests for memory.	Transcriptional regulation of memory, calcium hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease, mitochondrial dysfunction, CREB and NF-kB signaling neonatal risk factors for chronic brain disease, nutritional intervention for CNS disorders, creatine Choline electrical stimulation, AKA, deep brain stimulation.
Angeles Garcia, MD, PhD, FRCPC Professor Medicine & Neuroscience, Queen's University		Alzheimer's dementia & cognitive aging. Functional MRI of selective attention, volumetric determinations, DTI, tratography. Telomere 3D architecture analysis. Clinical trials for AD. Neuropsychological testing. Saccadic eye movements. Clinical diagnosis of AD and MCI.	All aspects of cognitive changes with aging. Imaging: fMRI, DTI-tractography, volumetry. Early AD diagnosis and new treatments for AD and MCI. New non-invasive diagnostic methods: 3D telomere analysis.
Eleftherios P. Diamandis, MD, PhD, FRCPC, FRSC ACDC laboratory, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto)	Advanced Center for Detection of Cancer, Laboratory of Eleftherios P. Diamandis	Proteomics/ Mass spectrometry/ Post-translational modifications/ Alzheimer’s disease.	Our laboratory has great expertise in cancer biomarker research. We have discovered several cancer biomarkers; including the kallikrein family (please visit our website for more details). Recently, we have ventured in to Alzheimer's disease research and our first study was the quantitative proteomic analysis of human hippocampal tissues from Alzheimer’s disease patients and age-matched controls (Begcevic et al., Clinical Proteomics 2013; accepted for publication). Using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry tools and proteomics, we are now studying different post-translational modifications (palmitoylation and lysine acetylation) in brain tissue extracts from patients with Alzheimer’s disease. We believe that aberrations of these post-translational modifications may play an important role in the onset and progression of the disease. Lysine acetylation is a post-translational regulatory mechanism, which modulates protein activity and initiates cross talk with other post-translational modifications for dynamic control of cellular signaling. Mounting evidence in recent literature suggests that alterations of this epigenetic modification (lysine acetylation of tau protein) are associated with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. On the other hand, palmitoylation appears to play a significant role in subcellular trafficking of proteins between membrane compartments as well as in modulating protein-protein interactions. This post-translational mechanism seems to be important in synaptic plasticity and neuronal development. Given that synapses are damaged early during the neurodegenerative processes of Alzheimer’s disease, they could be a prime source of impaired palmitoylated proteins and reveal mechanisms of neurodegeneration. The identification of proteins with altered pattern of palmitoylation and/or lysine acetylation during the evolution of the disease may lead to find therapeutic targets to prevent the appearance or the development of Alzheimer’s disease as well as the delay of clinical manifestations. Furthermore, we have also developed a mass spectrometry-based method for the identification and quantification of Apolipoprotein E isoforms in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma samples, which provides relevant information in the study of these patients.
Douglas Munoz, Professor and Director, Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Tier I Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience, Queen's University	Queen's University, Queen's Eye Movement Laboratory	Monkey model of Alzheimer's disease, monkey model of Parkinson's disease, combining eye tracking and functional imaging to study cognitive abnormalities in Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, mild cognitive impairment, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Tourette, Huntington's. Eye tracking behavioural neurophysiology, awake monkey neurophysiology, computational modeling of disease impact on eye movement circuit.	Monkey model of Alzheimer's disease, monkey model of Parkinson's disease. Combining eye tracking and functional imaging to study cognitive abnormalities in Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, mild cognitive impairment, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Tourette, Huntington's. We are developing monkey models of neurodegenerative disorders so we can study the molecular, systems, behavioural, and imaging effects of the disease and the effectiveness of any treatment intervention. The monkey experiments are done in parallel with human clinical studies using the same behavioural paradigms.
Eric Rassart, Apolipoprotein D as a neuroprotective and repair protein in neurodegenerative disorders, Université du Québec à Montréal	Dr. Rassart, Université du Québec à Montréal	Neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson, stroke, neuroprotection, repair, molecular and cellular biology, animal models.	Human Apolipoprotein D (ApoD) is a 29-kDa secreted glycoprotein and a lipocalin carrying several small hydrophobic molecules. It is expressed at high levels in several tissues particularly in the central nervous system (CNS) where it is produced in glia but also in scattered neurons. Its expression is increased in several neuropathologies such as Alzheimer’s, meningoencephalitis, stroke, Parkinson’s, Niemann-Pick’s type C and multiple sclerosis. ApoD expression and cell proliferation are inversely correlated in response to cellular stress. Despite several putative roles attributed to ApoD such as repair and reinnervation as well as lipid turnover after nervous tissue injury, the precise role of ApoD in the CNS remains elusive. However, transgenic and KO animal models, accumulating evidences suggest that apoD plays a neuroprotective role as a repair protein.
Machelle Wilchesky, Assistant Professor, Division of Geriatric Medicine, McGill University, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, and Donald Berman Maimonides Geriatric Centre	Donald Berman Maimonides Geriatric Centre	Geriatric pharmacoepidemiology, long-term geriatric care.	Secondary prevention and quality of life.
Theresa Green, RN, PhD Associate Professor Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary		Dementia care and quality of life. Early-onset dementia. Transitions across the care trajectory. Family caregiving & caregiver burden/outcomes - living with dementia. Mixed methods studies: quantitative & qualitative health research methods. Stroke recovery and reintegration to community.	Access to care and services - with an interest in ethnic and gender differences in access to care and services. Rural and urban populations. Family-centred care and quality of life. Advanced care planning and palliative care in the context of stroke and dementia.
Tiina M. Kauppinen, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Manitoba and Group leader in Mental Health and Neurodegeneration Research Program, Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine, Dept. of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Manitoba and Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine	Dr. Tiina Kauppinen, University of Manitoba	Neuroinflammation, microglia, astroglia, neurodegeneration, Alzheimer's disease, ischemic stroke, cell signaling, cell culture models of neurodegeneration.	Regulation of inflammatory responses, NF-kB signaling, the role of PARP-1 as a modulator of inflammatory responses, development of anti-inflammatory approaches in neurodegenerative disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, ischemic stroke, post-traumatic dementia, sex differences in response to therapies.
Kristen Jacklin, PhD Associate Professor, Medical Anthropology, Northern Ontario School of Medicine	Kristen Jacklin, Northern Ontario School of Medicine	Age-related dementias in Aboriginal people; cultural perceptions of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in Aboriginal peoples; Aboriginal health systems and policy; international Indigenous dementia research networks; community-based Aboriginal health research; culture and healthcare; cross-cultural medicine and cultural safety; chronic disease in Aboriginal populations.	National and international research collaborations in age-related dementia in Indigenous populations: In 2009, I founded and continue to lead the International Indigenous Dementia Research Network (IIDRN) in order to promote research concerning age-related dementia in Indigenous populations. This existing network can be accessed to engage appropriate researchers (nationally and internationally) and community partners to participate in an Aboriginal focused research program (team) within the CCNA. Our growing network consists of established Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars, community and organizational partners, new investigators and trainees from Canada, United States, Australia and New Zealand. Aboriginal quality of life research on age-related cognitive decline and impairment: I envision a research program that allows for cross-fertilization between Western and Indigenous understandings of age-related neurodegenerative illness. Specific areas of interest in the context of dementia include: Indigenous culture as medicine – especially traditional roles of elders, traditional language use, ceremony and teachings; respectful methods to combine biomedical and Indigenous knowledge systems in dementia care; access to culturally safe and appropriate care and resources – especially culturally appropriate cognitive screening protocols; Indigenous community care giving models; and, addressing the complexity of dementia care in Aboriginal communities – especially geographic isolation, high rates of complex co-morbid illness, and jurisdictional barriers to care.
Rona K Graham, Assistant Professor, Canada Research Chair in Neurodegenerative diseases, Université de Sherbrooke	Rona K Graham, Université de Sherbrooke	Alzheimer disease, Huntington disease, aging, molecular neurobiology, genetics, cell death pathways (apoptosis, caspases), excitotoxicity, inflammation, interactomes, behavior and neuropathology in mouse models, in vitro models.	Therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer disease and Huntington disease. Defining underlying molecular mechanisms involved early in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration with a focus on excitotoxicity and caspases. Behavioral and neuropathological characterization of models of neurodegeneration. Development of AD mouse models replicating key behavioral and neuropathological features observed in human AD. Assessing therapeutic approaches (compounds, genetic knockouts, knockdown) and behavior (environmental enrichment studies) in models of neurodegeneration.
Réjean Plamondon, Professeur, École Polytechnique de Montréal	Réjean Plamondon, École Polytechnique de Montréal	Modélisation neuromotrice.	Études sur le vieissement et les risque d'accidents vasculaires cérébraux. Woch, A., Plamondon, R., O’Reilly, C., “Kinematic Characteristics of Successful Movement Primitives in Young and Older Subjects: a Delta-Lognormal Comparison”, Human Movement Science, No 30, No.1, pp. 1-17, 2011. O’Reilly, C. Plamondon, R. “Impact of stroke risk factors on Human Movements”, Human Movement Science, No 30, No.4, pp.792–806, 2011. O’Reilly, C., Plamondon, R., “A Lognormal Framework for Human Movement Rehabilitation”, Chapitre 19 du livre “Rehabilitation Engineering”, Tan Yen Kheng Ed., INTECH Publishing, ISBN: 979-933-302-023-0, pp. 157-172, Décembre 2009. Disponible en ligne. O’Reilly, C., Plamondon, R., Design of a Neuromuscular Disorders Diagnostic System using Human Movement Analysis, Proc. 11th Int. Conf. on Information Science, Signal Processing and their applications, (ISSPA), Montréal 3-5 Juillet 2012, pp. 787-792.
Jiming Kong, Professor, Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba	Dr. J. Kong, University of Manitoba	Molecular pathways of neuronal cell death in neurodegenerative diseases. Established research collaboration with neuroscience researchers in China.	Role of post-translational modification of SOD1 in the formation of protein aggregates in ageing-related neurodegenerative diseases. Development of inhibitors for the BNIP3 cell death pathway, which is involved in neurodegenerative diseases.
Tony Szturm, PT, PhD Associate Professor, School of Medical Rehabilitation, University of Manitoba		Expertise: rehabilitation, neuroscience and biomedical engineering. My research is multidisciplinary and includes design, development and validation of technology-assisted rehabilitation platforms, therapeutic gaming and cognitive enrichment tools and approaches that provide a personalized, blended approach to decline in balance, mobility, vision, and cognition.	Research includes development and examination of interventions with embedded assessment (automated monitoring) of: core balance skills, mobility skills, gaze control and visuo-spatial attention, executive cognitive function (processing speed, working memory, cognitive inhibition), dual tasking (interaction of physical demands and cognitive, fall risk). Multi-task training paradigms that simultaneously address both mobility, vision, and cognition will benefit healthy aging and are important to consider in rehabilitation. Using a computer-based platform one can objectively quantify duration and intensity of both exercise and cognitive activity. Performance can also be quantified, trend analysis can be conducted, and dose–response relationships established. Develop and validate low-cost, engaging exercise and cognitive platforms with automated monitoring tools that can extend quality health care to the community and ultimately the home.
Praveen P Nekkar Rao, Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy, Health Sciences, University of Waterloo	Laboratory of Medicinal and Bioorganic Chemistry, University of Waterloo	Design of small molecules to understand the mechanisms of neurodegeneration associated with cholinergic, amyloid, tau and oxidative stress pathways in Alzheimer's disease. Developing small molecules as diagnostic agents to detect neurodegeneration.	Primary prevention by discovering key interactions involved in cholinesterase inhibition, amyloid and tau-aggregation. Developing hybrid molecules to target multiple neurodegeneration mechanisms as opposed to traditional "one drug, one target" approach. Our lab has expertise in synthetic medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, cholinesterase inhibition assays, amyloid/tau-inhibition screening and transmission electron microscopy. We have discovered novel small molecules as potential disease-modifying neurotherapeutics. Other potential application include development of novel molecules as diagnostic agents for early detection of neurodegeneration.
Denise Cloutier Fisher, Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Centre on Aging, University of Victoria	Denise Cloutier, University of Victoria	Mixed and multiple research methods, rural environments, longitudinal studies, transitions in care (in the institutional sector).	The service continuum for seniors (acute care to community-based care alternatives). Special issues of rural populations. Environments for aging.
Wayne Warry, Director and Professor, Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research, Laurentian University	Wayne Warry, Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research	Dementias in Aboriginal/Indigenous peoples; cultural perceptions of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in Aboriginal peoples; Aboriginal health systems and policy; rural and remote health care; community based and participatory research.	Aboriginal quality of life research on age-related dementia. The Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research (CRaNHR) at Laurentian University is engaged in research with vulnerable populations, including Aboriginal, Francophone, rural and remote populations, and specifically research concerning chronic conditions including dementia in Aboriginal communities. CRaNHR is also engaged in the Ontario-CIHR Strategy for Patient Oriented Research and is well placed to facilitate research on telehome care, and other innovative patient centred initiatives that might impact on the quality of life for Aboriginal and mainstream seniors with dementia in rural and remote areas. I am part of International Indigenous Dementia Research Network led by Dr. Kristen Jacklin at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and an Aboriginal health researcher with extensive experience in Aboriginal community engagement. I would be interested in assisting with the development of “two-eyed seeing” approaches to research and knowledge translation concerning dementia in Indigenous populations nationally and internationally.
Md. Golam Sharoar, Dept. of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh.	Dept. of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Rajshahi	Aggregation mechanism of Alzheimer's. Amyloid beta peptide, it's cytotoxic effects and its inhibition by small molecules and protein. Interaction of Amyloid beta with intra- and extra- cellular proteins. Apoptosis. Purification of recombinant amyloid beta peptide.	I have obtained Canada immigration and wishing to involve in a university/institute in Canada as a postdoctoral fellow in the areas of neurodegenerative disorder, misfolded protein aggregation mechanism and disease development, interaction mechanism of amyloid beta with intracellular proteins in developing Alzeimer's disease.
Julie Nantel, Professeure Adjointe/ Assistant Professor, École des sciences de l'activité physique/School of Human Kinetics, Faculté des sciences de la santé/Faculty of Health Sciences, Université d'Ottawa/University of Ottawa	Julie Nantel, University of Ottawa	Mild Cognitive Impairment, postural impairment and gait disturbances. Parkinson's disease, normal and pathological aging. Freezing of gait, biomechanics, movement analyses, rehabilitation and neurorehabilitation and mobility.	Secondary prevention and quality of life: improvement of techniques to detect and measure mild cognitive impairment, postural instability, gait deficits and their relationships. Development of intervention modalities (cognitive and motor) to reduce symptoms and improve mobility. Promotion of an active lifestyle and measuring the benefits on quality of life.
William Sheridan, Independent Scholar		Knowledge Policy - your interest in "knowledge translation" parallels my own. I have just completed a manuscript for a book to be titled how to present knowledge to the public. What I am proposing is that scientific jargon be "translated" into the popular idiom by Public Information Officers, so that new research results (on aging and anti-aging) can be communicated to the public through Knowledge News Releases, thereby enabling "the average person" to gain the benefits of the research. Anti-aging - I am on a personal "anti-aging campaign" to indefinitely prolong both my lifespan and my quality of life, in keeping with Ray Kurzweil's projection that, with the current rate of progress in the life sciences, the prospect of achieving "human immortality" is now foreseeable. I have developed my own "biochemical strategy" to pursue this objective.	I would like to collaborate with CCNA on further work on the "knowledge translation" front, because the same thinking that assists in translating research into applications, also is the basis for translating research into the popular idiom. Both need to be tacked in parallel. I would also like to collaborate on assessing existing or prospective "anti-aging strategies," to determine if certain supplements are or are not "the key to anti-aging." Many medical doctors and nutritionists claim, very confidently, that they have indeed discovered "the secrets to anti-aging." Is this just hype, OR is there some degree, perhaps a high degree of credibility to at least some of these claims? (It would be incredibly foolish to dismiss such claims out-of-hand just because they could not, at the moment, be supported by research data. It would be equally foolish to adopt any and all such claims, because many of them contradict many other of them. So how to proceed? Dare I suggest it, but the answer is "good judgment!")
Kaitlyn P. Roland, CIHR Post-Doctoral Fellow, Centre on Aging, University of Victoria	Centre on Aging, University of Victoria Kaitlyn P. Roland's web page	Parkinson's disease, dementia, caregivers, burden, well-being, daily physical activity (accelerometer, GPS), muscle function (electromyography), frailty, quality of life.	My research interests lie in supporting independence during daily living and improved quality of life in all persons living with Parkinson's disease and related dementias, including caregivers. Specifically, I hope to support physical function (muscle, exercise, yoga) in persons with Parkinson's disease and related dementia. Also, I aim to better understand caregiver needs, especially those caring for Parkinson's disease related dementia.
Michael E. Tschakovsky, PhD, Associate Professor, Human Vascular Control Laboratory, School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University	Human Vascular Control Laboratory, Queen's University	Exercise, exercise training, cerebral perfusion, (cerebro)vascular control.	My primary research expertise is in exercise physiology, specializing in cardiovascular health and function as it relates to exercise. In collaboration with members of the Centre for Neuroscience Studies at Queen's University: I am now focusing this expertise on developing the application of exercise/physical activity approaches to protecting/improving cognitive function, brain structure and cerebrovascular health and function as we age. An important theme is the potential for synergistic benefits of exercise in conjunction with other potential therapeutic interventions such as cognitive training and dietary agents that have positive influence on cerebrovascular function.
David Chatenet, Assistant Professor, Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Centre INRS - Institut Armand-Frappier, Université du Québec, Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur	Institut national de la recherche scientifique	Pharmacochemistry, drug design, allostery, peptide chemistry, neurodegenerative diseases.	Conception of multivalent drugs for Neurodegenerative disorders. Development of allosteric modulators.
Joan Tranmer, PhD, Professor, School of Nursing and Community Health and Epidemiology, Queen's University		Health service and system research methods. Patient outcome measurement (including qualtiy of life and functional measures). Knowledge translation methodologies. Population based methodologies (i.e, use of administrative databases).	Prevention of degenerative diseases in both the primary care setting and in adulthood in the work setting (i.e., identifying persons at risk and modification of factors associated with risk). Optimization of quality of life and functional well being of older individuals with chronic degenerative conditions, and their caregivers. Optimization of health care system supports - across sectors of care (from hospital to home) and in a variety of settings, with a focus on the primary care setting and the nursing role.
Dr. Mark W. Rosenberg, Canada Research Chair in Development Studies, Professor of Geography, Professor of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University	Department of Geography, Queen's University	Health geography. Medical geography. Gerontology. Access to health services. Health systems analysis. Health Policy.	Population aging and quality of life. Access to health services related to aging. Access to imaging services.
Maria-Victoria Zunzunegui, Professor, Departement de médecine sociale et préventive, Université de Montréal, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalière de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Institut de research en sante publique de l'Université de Montréal (IRSPUM)	Institut de research en sante publique de l'Université de Montréal	Epidemiology of aging, methods of longitudinal studies in population research, longitudinal data analysis.	Dementia and mild cogntiive impairment, screening in population based studies.
Louis Bherer, PhD, Neuropsychologue, Professeur titulaire, PERFORM Centre/Concordia University	PERFORM Centre, Concordia University	Prevention of cognitive decline. Physical exercise. Cognitive training. Intervention.	Bherer's research study the effect of cognitive stimulation and physical activity on cognitive decline associated with aging and chronic disease. Normal aging is often accompanied by declines in brain function that can harm the quality of life of seniors. However, not all people are affected in the same way and not all brain functions decline at the same speed. Louis Bherer and his team want to improve understanding of why and how intellectual stimulation and physical activity can help seniors maintain better brain functioning. He's also exploring whether these benefits are long lasting and are similar for seniors of all ages, sexes and health conditions.
Pierre Rainville, Professeur, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, Université de Montréal	Dr. Pierre Rainville’s pain lab	Psychophysics, neuropsychology, psychophysiology and neuroimaging of pain and pain modulation in humans.	Effects of aging on the neural systems underlying pain and pain regulation.
Ingrid Johnsrude, Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience, Queen's University	Cognitive Neuroscience of Communication and Hearing, Queen's University	Cognition and aging, hearing and aging, speech perception and aging, knowledge-based perception and aging, neuropsychology, functional neuroimaging (fMRI).	Identification and exploration of experienced-based factors that can compensate for the impact on cognitive processing of neurodegeneration in aging.
Frederic Calon, Professor, Université Laval, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec	Frederic Calon, Université Laval frederic.calon@crchul.ulaval.ca	Recherche sur la maladie d'Alzheimer. Modèle animaux (neuropathologie, comportement, etc.). Tissus post-mortem. Etude de la barrière hématoencépahlique.	Prévention primaire et prévention secondaire.
Tiago H. Falk, Assistant Professor, INRS-EMT, University of Quebec	Multimedia/Multimodal Signal Analysis and Enhancement (MuSAE) Lab	Multimodal neuroimaging, biomedical signal processing, neurotechnology, health diagnostics, data mining, machine learning, image processing, pattern recognition.	Very early diagnostics of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), objective treatment outcome measurement, automated AD progression monitoring.
Kaori Takehara-Nishiuchi, Assistant professor, Psychology, University of Toronto	Takehara Lab, University of Toronto	Alzheimer’s disease. Mild cognitive impairment. Rat model. Viral vectors. Tau. Behavioural analysis. Associative memory. Neurophysiology. Single neuron recording. Local field potentials. EEG. ERP.	My research is directed at examining pathophysiology of memory decline in early stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Through a collaboration, I have developed a rat model that accurately mimics a site-specific tau pathologies in early stage AD. By measuring activities of single and population of neurons while the model rat receives a memory task, I hope to identify alterations of brain activities that precede or accompany memory impairment. This study may form a link between a specific brain dysfunction and memory decline in AD. In doing so, it will help develop novel strategies for early detection and preventative care.
Fadi Massoud, MD FRCPC, Internist-Geriatrician, Associate Professor of Medicin, Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) and Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (IUGM)	Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (only in French)	Dementia care. Cognitive aging. Dementia.	Epidemiological studies. Early diagnosis of dementia. Clinical trials.
Tamas Fulop, Professeur, Universite de Sherbrooke, Centre de recherche sur le Vieillissement, Departement de Medecine, Service de Geriatrie	Research Centre on Aging	Cognition, immuno-inflammation, nutrition. Infections, cell signalling, oxidative stress, innate immunity, adaptive immunity. Inflammasome, apoptosis.	We are very much interested in the study of the role of immuno-inflammation in the pathogenesis and the clinical progression of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases linked to age. We are also interested in the genetic and environmental (nutrition, infecftions, oxidative stress) factors related to neurodegenereascence and aging for the development and progression. The signalling in various immune cells related to the PAMP are of particular interests. The role of the inflammasome in neurodegeneresescence is also studied actuallly by us. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory treatments are also of major interests for our group.
Roger Lippé, Associate professor, University of Montreal	Dr. Roger Lippé, University of Montreal (only in French)	Cell biology, intra cellular transport, vesicular transport. Rab proteins.	Alzheimer, tau, propagation of tau, pathology.
Simona Maria Brambati, Professeur sous octroi, Département de Psychologie, Université de Montréal, Chercheuse, Centre de Recherche IUGM		Language, primary progressive aphasia, frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer's disease, magnetic resonance imaging, aging, cognition.	Language deficits in neurodegenerative diseases and their anatomical correlates.
Dr Nandini Deshpande, Assistant Professor, Queen's University		Sensory functions, sensory integration, control of posture and gait, adaptive locomotion, mobility disability, fear of falling.	Sensory integration, control of posture and gait, adaptive locomotion, mobility disability, fear of falling.
Jennifer Walker, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo		Epidemiology of age-related dementias in First Nations, Inuit and Metis populations. Health-related quality of life research. Older adults’ use of health care services.	I have a specific interest in understanding the impact of age-related dementias on Aboriginal communities, families, and individuals and the associated social and health supports. I am a member of the International Indigenous Dementia Research Network led by Dr. Kristen Jacklin at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
Gwen Herrington, RN, BN, MN, Northern Health		1 year experience in locked unit with Alzheimer patients. 2 years on medical ward with Alzheimer patients a part of the patient population. 3 years experience as a liaison nurse. As liaison nurse I was often in contact with families coping with Alzheimer's as they were admitted to hospital.	I have recently graduated from the Master's program and am keen to be involved in research.
Edeltraut Kröger, BPharm, MSC, PhD, Adjunct professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Researcher, Centre d'excellence sur le vieillissement de Québec (CEVQ), Responsable du regroupement sur les soins de longue durée du Réseau Québécois de Recherche sur le Vieillissement		Medication use among seniors with Alzheimer disease (AD) or related disorders: use of Quebec health administrative data to assess medication use, safety and effectiveness; optimisation and reduction of medication use among seniors with very advanced AD in long term care; improve medication adherence among seniors with early cognitive impairment living in the community. The methods applied are mostly epidemiology, pharmaco-epidemiology, knowledge syntheses, intervention planning and implementation, assessment of quality of care.	A particularly interesting topic may be a large randomized controlled trial to study patient specific outcomes with discontinuation of cholinesterase inhibitors in long term care patient with advances AD. Discontinuation of other medication having become inappropriate in advanced AD patients may be an additional topic. There is still uncertainty as to whether cholinesterase inhibitors actually delay nursing home placement in AD patients. Simultaneous analyses of several Canadian health administrative databases may further answer this question for the Canadian context. Unclear safety issues with these cholinergic medications could be answered at the same time.
Lise Talbot, Professeur titulaire, Centre de recherche sur le vieillissement de Sherbrooke, Centre de recherche Étienne LeBel		Prévention et promotion saine habitudes de vie, collaboration interprofessionnelle.	Prévention et promotion du déclin fonctionnel.
Dr. Carrie Bourassa, Associate Professor, Indigenous Health Studies, Inter-disciplinary Programs, Nominated Principal Investigator, Indigenous Peoples' Health Research Centre, University of Regina, First Nations University of Canada	Carrie Bourassa, First Nations University of Canada	Aboriginal women experiencing neurological conditions. Community-based Aboriginal health research and methodologies. Aboriginal health systems and policy. International Indigenous dementia research networks. Aboriginal end of life care. Creating culturally safe care in health service delivery for Aboriginal people and communities. Aboriginal women's health.	The impact of neurological conditions on Aboriginal women and their support networks. Specifically, I was the NPI on a competitively funded project by the Public Health Agency of Canada in partnership with the Native Women's Association of Canada that just ended March 31st. Employing Indigenous Community-based Research Methodologies, our team examined risk factors for neurological conditions, health care services utilized, and gaps in available services. The study pointed to a need for further research in a variety of areas and, in particular, the need for data. There is a lack of disaggregated Aboriginal specific neurologic health data. National and international research collaborations in age-related dementia in Indigenous populations: I am part of the International Indigenous Dementia Research Network (IIDRN) led by Dr. Kristen Jacklin in order to promote research concerning age-related dementia in Indigenous populations. This existing network can be accessed to engage appropriate researchers (nationally and internationally) and community partners to participate in an Aboriginal focused research program (team) within the CCNA. The growing network consists of established Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars, community and organizational partners, new investigators and trainees from Canada, United States, Australia and New Zealand.
Stephen Scott, Professor, GSK-CIHR Chair in Neuroscience, Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University	Stephen Scott, Queen's University	Voluntary motor control using human and non-human primates. Use of robotics and other advanced technologies to quantify sensory, motor and cognitive function and dysfunction. Focus has been on assessment of subjects with stroke, but have expanded to examine typical development and aging and many other neurological disorders.	Use of robotics and other technologies to develop objective, automated behavioural tasks to quantify sensory, motor and cognitive function associated with healthy aging and with various neurodegenerative disorders.
Center for Advanced research in sleep medicine (12 researchers) including Drs Julie Carrier, JY Montplaisir, Ron Postuma, Jean-François Gagnon, Nadia Gosselin, Alex Desautels, J. Carrier, Scientific director, Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, Université de Montréal, McGill University, UQAM	Center for Advanced research in sleep medicine	Psychology, psychiatry, neurology. Sleep, sleep disorders, circadian rhythms, non-visual effects of light. Alzheimer, Parkinson, Lewy body dementia. Polysomnography, high density EEG, brain imaging (fMRI, PET, high resolution SPECT).	The link between sleep and brain plasticity in normal and pathological aging. Sleep as a prodrome of neurodegenerative diseases (mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer, Parkinson, Lewy body dementia). Sleep apnea syndrome and cognitive impairments in the elderly. How non-visual effects of light may enhance vigilance and cognitive deficits in neurodegerative diseases?
Adriana Di Polo, Professor, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, University of Montreal, Department of Neuroscience, University of Montreal (as of July 2013)	Adriana Di Polo, University of Montreal	Retina, optic nerve, neuronal death, neuroregeneration, retinal ganglion cell structure and function, inflammatory response, role of reactive glial cells in neural dysfunction, retinal degeneration, glaucoma, visual function, tau pathology, gene therapy, signaling mechanisms, siRNA-based neuroprotective therapies.	The retina is an intrinsic part of the central nervous system. As such, the retina undergoes important pathological changes during numerous neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies demonstrate that amyloid beta lesions and tau aggregates appear first in the retina and later in the brain, indicating that early pathological changes in the retina could be used to predict onset and monitor progression of Alzheimer's disease. My laboratory has the expertise to use the retina for the development of novel diagnostic tools for early detection and follow-up of disease course. In addition, retinal imaging can be used to evaluate the efficacy of new therapeutics for this devastating disease.
Clive Baldwin, Canada Research Chair in Narrative Studies, Associate Professor of Social Work, St Thomas University	Clive Baldwin, St Thomas University	Prévention et promotion saine habitudes de vie, collaboration interprofessionnelle.	Prévention et promotion du déclin fonctionnel.
Véronique Provencher Ph.D., erg., Professeure, Université Laval, CHU de Québec, Centre d'excellence sur le vieillissement de Québec		Alzheimer Disease. Activity of daily living. Home safety. Risk assessment. Hospital discharge. Occupational therapy.	Safety at home following hospital discharge in older adults with dementia.
Xavier Roucou, Professor, Université de Sherbrooke	Xavier Roucou laboratory	Cellular biology of the prion protein. Prion diseases. Molecular connection between Abeta oligomers and the prion protein. Alternative proteins in prion diseases and spinocerebellar ataxia type 1. Apoptosis.	Toxicity of Abeta oligomers. Protein misfolding and aggregation. Proteomics and unconventional translation products. Molecular mechanisms responsible for the neurodegenerative processes that lead to Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias.
Danielle Laurin, Professeur titulaire, Centre d'excellence sur le vieillissement de Québec, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec	Danielle Laurin, Université Laval (only in French)	Épidémiologie. Études basées sur la population. Facteurs de risque. Synthèse des connaissances. ECR.	Prévention primaire et secondaire. Démence/Maladie d'Alzheimer/Déclin cognitif. Marqueurs biologiques (inflammation, oxydation). Nutrition. Oméga-3. Contaminants environnementaux.
Debra Sheets, Ph.D., MSN, RN-BC, CNE, Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Centre on Aging, University of Victoria	Debra Sheets, University of Victoria	Family caregiving, dementia care and quality of life, long-term care, aging with disability, rehabilitation, assistive technologies to support independent living, community-based supportive services, transitions in care, quantitative methods, aging, disability and health policy.	I am particularly interested in research related to disability, dementia care and long-term care needs, particularly caregiving. I have also done work examining access to the continuum of community-based and long-term care, rehabilitative services and programs, supportive services and technologies for independent living, and knowledge translation.
Carole A Estabrooks, Professor & Canada Research Chair (Tier 1), University of Alberta	Knowledge Utilization Studies Program, University of Alberta Dr. Carole Estabrooks, University of Alberta	Knowledge translation, implementation science, improvement science, quality improvement, applied health services research, spread & scale-up of innovations, integrated KT (as a research approach).	Quality of care/quality of life for residents in the residential long term care system (60-80% of whom have a diagnosis of dementia). Quality of work life for direct care providers in residential LTC.
Emil F. Pai, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Structural Biology, University of Toronto, Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute	Emil F. Pai, University of Toronto	Molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerating diseases, Molecular mechanisms of protein misfolding. Structural biology with an emphasis on X-ray crystallography.	My lab works on the structural characterization of the molecular steps involved in the misfolding of proteins involved in neurodegeneration. This includes trapping misfolding intermediates by complex formation. Our focus so far has been on prion diseases and on ALS.
Kevin Woo, Assistant Professor, Queen's University		Wound care: self care, chronic disease management, diabetes. Pain management. Psychosocial Mental health: anxiety.	Wound care: self care, chronic disease management, diabetes. Pain management. Psychosocial Mental health: anxiety.
Jennifer J. Heisz, Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University	Jennifer J. Heisz's website	Exercise intervention. Cognitive training. Neuropsychological testing. Neuroimaging. EEG. Behavioural testing. Lifestyle assessment. Physical functional assessment.	Identifying neural biomarkers (e.g., EEG complexity) that predict susceptibility to neurodegenerative disorders in the preclinical period. Examining lifestyle interventions (e.g., exercise, cognitive training) that alter the trajectory of neurodegenerative disease progression in preclinical and clinical populations.
Wandong Zhang, MD., Ph.D, Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa	Wandong Zhang, University of Ottawa wzhan2@uottawa.ca	Altered lipid/cholesterol metabolism, ApoE4, and Alzheimer's disease. Altered insulin signaling and Alzheimer's disease. Molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer's neuroinflammation. Blood-brain barrier. Abeta transport, cerebrovascular inflammation, and Alzheimer's disease. Animal modeling of Alzheimer's disease and behavioral assessment.	Targeting ApoE4 for prevention and relief of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Targeting altered insulin signaling for prevention and relief of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Targeting neurovascular inflammation for prevention and relief of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
Dr. Christoph Borchers, Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Director, UVic–Genome BC Proteomics Centre, Don and Eleanor Rix BC Leadership Chair in Biomedical and Environmental Proteomics, University of Victoria	Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre, University of Victoria	Proteomics, mass spectrometry, amyloidoses (Alzheimer's, Huntington's, ALS, Parkinson's, prions diseases), protein misfolding and aggregation using recombinant protein, post-translational modifications characterization and quantitation, quantitative proteomics, metabolomics, biomarker discovery.	Primary prevention: elucidating molecular mechanisms of disease through structural proteomics and characterization of disease-associated proteins (Tau and Abeta in Alzheimer's, SOD1 in ALS, alpha-synuclein in Parkinson's disease, huntingtin in Huntington's disease, prions in CJD and other prion diseases) and their aggregates. Identification of target epitopes for preventative treatments (e.g. vaccines) using structural proteomics to identify regions of protein where pathological interactions occur. Secondary prevention: development of novel diagnostics (proteomic, metabolomic biomarkers) for early detection of disease. Application of findings from structural proteomics studies to for rational design or identification of novel therapeutics to interfere with disease progression.
Holger Wille, Associate Professor, University of Alberta, Department of Biochemistry and Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases	Holger Wille, University of Alberta	Protein misfolding diseases, mechanisms of protein aggregation, the structure of misfolded, disease-associated protein aggregates, biophysical analyses of misfolded protein aggregates.	The general focus of my work is the structure of amyloids and other disease-related, misfolded proteins. In particular, I am interested in the infectious prion protein (PrPSc) and the structure-function relationship underlying its infectious nature. In recent years, mounting evidence has implicated prion-like mechanisms in other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Lou Gehrig’s disease. The mechanistic similarities and their molecular underpinnings represent interesting research avenues beyond the classical prion diseases.
Dr. Howard Chertkow, Professor of Neurology, McGill University, based at Lady Davis Institute, Montreal			Greetings: I am writing to provide an update on the status of our planned application to the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA)/CIHR. I am working with a large group (242 researchers to date) of the Canadian NDD research community to successfully respond to the call for LOIs (letters of intent) which is now termed “Expression of Interest” (EOI) by CIHR. In the proposal we are putting together, I will be the “Nominated Principal Applicant, NPA” and there will be three Theme Principal Applicants (Theme PAs): Theme 1 (Prevention), Jane Rylett (jane.rylett@schulich.uwo.ca), (assisted by David Hogan(dhogan@ucalgary.ca)) Theme 2 (Secondary Prevention), Sandra Black (sandra.black@sunnybrook.ca) Theme 3 (Quality of Life), Ken Rockwood (Kenneth.Rockwood@dal.ca) You are welcome to contact these people or myself to express interest in joining this initiative…and we will look at this list and contact people who fit into the teams we are building. Obviously, not everyone fits into a team and not everyone will be funded. And not every team proposed by us will be funded by CIHR either. Some researchers reading this, however, might indeed have been overlooked as we have organized rapidly. We are establishind cores (well, teams) within those theme areas: Theme 1: Genetics – Peter St. George-Hyslop Inflammation and Nerve Growth factors – Claudio Cuello Team Protein Misfolding – Neil Cashman Synapses and metabolomics – Jane Rylett Lipoproteins – Cheryl Wellington Exercise and lifestyle prevention factors – Carol Greenwood Theme 2 (Treatment Possibilities) Team: Vascular illness – Eric Smith Team: Parkinsonian features in dementia - Richard Camicioli Team: Developing new biomarkers in MCI and before - Roger Dixon Team: Cognitive Therapy and Rehabilitation - Sylvie Belleville Team: Behavioural Problems in Dementia - Nathan Hermann Team: Mobility and Cognition - Manuel Montero-Odasso Team: FTD - Robin Hsiung Theme 3 (Quality of Life) Team: Comorbidity and progression of dementia - Melissa Andrew Team: Gerontechnology support in dementia – Alex Mihailidis Team: Driving and dementia – Gary Naglie Team: Sensory and Cognitive Interface – Natalie Philips Team: caregivers and relieve their stress – Ken Rockwood Team: Health care system – Dr. Howard Bergman Team: Rural and Indigenous issues – Debra Morgan, Kristen Jacklin…
Joël Macoir, Professeur titulaire Chercheur, Université Laval, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec	Joël Macoir, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec (only in French)	Troubles du langage et de la cognition dans les maladies neurodégénératives dont les différentes variantes de l'aphasie progressive primaire, la maladie de Parkinson.	Approche comportementale des troubles du langage et de la cognition. Rééducation cognitive. Apport des nouvelles technologies pour le traitement et la compensation des troubles du langage et de la cognition dans les maladies neurodégénératives.
Mohamed Ali Al fakir, Previous Chairman of Diagnostic Radiology, Assistant Professor, radiologist, Faculty of medicine, Damascus university	alfakirscan@gmail.com	I have worked and I am interested in the field of Multivoxel spectroscopy, especially by 3 Tesla MRI, and I have published an article: "Differential Diagnosis of Metabolite Changes in Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) Of Brain Pathology" (Journal of the Arab Board of Health Specializations ), vol. 10, No2, 2009, ISSN 1561-0217.	I would like to research in the metabolite changes in multivoxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the patients of Alzheimer disease. This research can be done in any hospital which has MRI.
Kristine Newman, RN, CRN(C), PhD, Knowlege Translation Canada: Strategic Training Initative in Health Research, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, McMaster University		Rehabilitation nursing background with experience in Geriatric Rehab and Complex Continuting Care. Knowledge translation. Informatics. Evaluation of use of technology. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies.	Quality of Life of geriatric population with chronic degenerative conditions and their caregivers. Use of technologies to optimize quality of life and improve functioning of individuals with chronic degenerative conditions. Use of technologies to support caregivers of individual's with chronic degenerative conditions.
Martin Paré, Professor, Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Depts of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences & Psychology, Queen’s University	Martin Paré Research Laboratory, Queen’s University	Primate models of cognition – visual working memory, visual attention, inhibitory control and audiovisual communication – using tractable behavioral tests and multidisciplinary approaches: small and large-scale neuronal recordings and pharmacology.	Investigation of the contributions of catecholamines in cognition as well as in its decline in healthy aging and dysfunction in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Animal models providing a platform for effective testing of clinical intervention hypotheses.
Eric Gionet, Outreach Director, New Brunswick Social Policy Research Network	New Brunswick Social Policy Research Network	Facilitation, co-ordination, relationship development, citizenship engagement, knowledge mobilization/translation.	Quality of life. Caregiver stress.
Dr Bruno Joseph Battistini, CEO, New Brunswick Health Research Foundation	New Brunswick Health Research Foundation	As New Brunswick facilitator, custodian, and part funder of this initiative, regrouping health researchers, policy-makers, caregivers, families and communities, heath professionals and deliverers of health care services, health charities.	Quality of life (theme 3) into a diversified community (small urban, half rural, bilingual, indigenous, 2nd most aging), emerging memory clinics as part of family health practice (the 4Rs: RIGHT care, at the RIGHT time (faster access through community networks vs ERs, reduce wait times for diagnosis delaying crucial treatment to slow the progression of the disease), in the RIGHT form (location), at the RIGHT place), not excluding capacity in clinical trials via RHAs (regional health authorities) research services.
James Ted McDonald, Professor of Economics, University of New Brunswick	Department of Economics, University of New Brunswick	Quantitative methods, statistical analysis, health economics, cost benefit analysis.	Socioeconomic determinants of physical and mental health. Health geography. Health outcomes and health service use in rural areas.
Blake McNeil, Researcher, New Brunswick Department of Social Development	New Brunswick Department of Social Development		Quality of life (patients and caregivers). Government policy. Interaction with health systems/in-home services. Service devilery and wellness.
Sarah Pakzad, Pr., Université de Moncton	Sarah Pakzad, Université de Moncton (only in French)	Clinical neuropsychology.	Clinical neuropsychology: Alzheimer and other kind of dementia.
Kathi Hurley, RN BN MN, Nurse Clinician, Horizon Health Network	Kathi,Hurley@HorizonNB.ca	Implementing and reviewing best practices in dementia care on in-patient units (Long-term Care, Transitional Care, Cognitive Assessment and Management units). NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Hospitalized Elders) co-ordinator and educator, Geriatric Outpatient setting (Memory Clinic). Co-author: "The Dementia Triliogy". The development of three booklets for caregivers in the community, LTC and hospital settings. Qualitative research method "Narrative Inquiry".	My research interest has always been around improving quality of life for those with dementia. During my graduate studies my research project explored falls, patients with dementia and living in a LTC facility. In addition the experince I have gained from working in the geriatric outpatient clinic has certainly heightened my interest in contributing to research that explores community supports, family caregiving and quality dementia care.
Paul Bourque, Ph.D. Dean of Health Sciences, Université de Moncton		Cognitive deficits, Alzheimer's disease.	Depression and aging.
Michel Johnson, Assistant professor, Université de Moncton	Michel Johnson, Université de Moncton (only in French)	Aging, physical activity, driving, learning.	Secondary Prevention. Quality of Life.
Barbara Burnett, Executive Director, Atlantic Institute on Aging	Atlantic Institute on Aging	Policy development, community capacity building, stakeholder engagement, extensive experience in program delivery and operations relating to senior care.	Strengthening the community and the services needed to respond in a transformative way to the growing number of individuals with dementia through evidenced based policy development. Using a multi-discilinary team beginning with a "ground up" approach to community needs with focus on prevention and the associated interventions.
Katherine McGilton, Senior Scientist & Associate Professor, Toronto Rehabilitation-UHN & Lawrence S Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto	Katherine McGilton's website	Quality of care and life for persons with dementia and delirium. Quality of work-life of regulated nursing staff. Applied clinical research. Intervention studies. Clinical trials.	Population: older persons with cognitive impairment (dementia and/or delirium) with an additional focus on the staff who care for them. Understanding factors that influence patient outcome achievement in various healthcare settings: long-term care, complex continuing care, nursing homes, rehabilitation hospitals. Design of interventions and models of person-centered care that enhance the appropriateness and effectiveness of care.Translation of evidence-based interventions into practice.
Martin Simoneau, Professeur titulaire, Université Laval, Faculté de médecine, Département de kinésiologie, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Centre d'excellence sur le vieillissement de Québec		Contrôle du mouvement et intégration sensorimotrice.	Prévention primaire et qualité de vie.
Anik Giguère, Associate professor, Researcher, Département de médecine familiale et de médecine d'urgence de l'Université Laval (Department of family practice, University Laval), Centre d'excellence sur le vieillissement de Québec (Research center for excellence in aging in Quebec)	Decision Box, Université Laval Anik Giguère, Université Laval	Knowledge translation. Education and continuing professional development. Health information research. Implementation science. Applied health services research. Shared decision making. Integrated KT. Knowledge synthesis.	Healthcare professional developement for delivering care to elderly patients. Dissemination and implementation of brief evidence summaries, such as the Decision Box about cholinesterase inhibitors to reduce the symptoms of Alzheimers' disease. Developement and evaluation of interventions to increase patient's (and their carer's) involvement into decisions about their own care. Follow-up of administrative data on continuity of care of the elderly patient.
Vladimir Hachinski and colleagues, Professor of Neurology and Epidemiology, Western University, Distinguished University Professor, Western University, University of Lethbridge, McGill University		Interactive animal models with clinical proof of principle studies of treatable neurodegenerative mechanisms. Population studies. Expertise in introducing innovation into the health care system.	The Treat And Prevent (TRAP) neurodegeneration group. A discovery, testing and application platform. From molecule to market. Coordinator: Vladimir Hachinski. (A) Primary prevention. (A1) Experimental therapeutics (treatable ischemia, amyloid, inflammation interactions). David Cechetto (London), Robert McDonald (Lethbridge), Shawn Whitehead (London). (A2) Population studies - executive dysfunction as an early warning system of preventable cognitive decline. Vladimir Hachinski (London), Miia Kivipelto (Stockholm), Oscar Lopez (Pittsburgh). (A3) Population screening - studies of electronic versions of MoCA and the ischemic score. Charles Alessi (London, UK), Vladimir Hachinski, Ziad Nasredding (Montreal), †Anne Snowdon (London). (B) Secondary prevention. (B1) Proof of principle - Human PET/MRI studies. Vladimir Hachinski, Alexander Thiel (Montreal). (C) Future deliverables. (C1) Clinical trials. C5R - Canadian ConsortIum for Clinical Cognitive Research, CSC – Canadian Stroke Consortium Centre for Health Innovation, Richard Ivey Business School. (C2) Marketing. Incorporation into the health care system, Post market surveillance. Ongoing complementary CIHR funded programs: Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI): Animal Models of Comorbidity – PI David Cechetto. Promoting adherence to regimen of risk factor modification by trained non-medical personnel evaluated against regular practice study (PARTNERS) – PI Richard Chan, co-PI Vladimir Hachinski. Physical Activity, Mobility and Neural Health – PI Kevin Shoemaker. Gait variability as predictor of cognitive decline and risk of falls in MCI. A cohort study – PI Manuel Montero-Odasso. Note: Names in capital letters mean coordinator of project CIHR funded † Chair, International Centre for Health Innovation, Richard Ivey Business School Willing future partners: Hugh Markus, Cambridge, UK Juha Rinne, Turku, Finland Dieter Heiss, Cologne, Germany Patrik Michel and Richard Frackowiack, Laussane, Switzerland Giancarlo Comi, Milan, Italy
Erin Corston, Director, Native Women's Association of Canada	Native Women's Association of Canada	Managed NWAC's first ever academic research project, conducting community-based Aboriginal health research in accordance with established Indigenous research methodologies. Developed recommendations for improvement to Aboriginal health systems and policy based on an in-depth analysis of the data collected. Possess extensive expertise in Aboriginal health outcomes, focusing on culturally relevant gender based perspectives of Aboriginal peoples social determinants of health.	Impacts, risks, and health service gaps related to neurological conditions within Aboriginal communities. More specifically, provided direction and oversight on the implementation of a competitively funded research project, one of 13 funded by the PHAC, that will formulate the federal government's future agenda on neurological health issues in Canada. The research pointed to the need for more culturally relevant gender specific education and awareness tools/materials of neurological related conditions (for both patients and their care givers), more in-depth research into the unique impacts experienced by Aboriginal people (such as racial oriented stigma, systemic racism), and the need for more and better data collection by health systems and service providers (for baseline, tracking, monitoring).
Melanie Campbell, Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Optometry and Vision Science, Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Guelph, Waterloo Physics Institute	Campbell Labs, University of Waterloo	Optical and microscopic properties of amyloid beta. Amyloid beta in the eye. High resolution optical imaging of the retina. Adaptive optics. Optics of the eye. Ocular and visual effects of Alzheimer’s disease.	Development of non-invasive imaging of amyloid beta in the retina of the eye for the early diagnosis and staging of Alzheimer’s disease. The beagle dog as a model of Alzheimer’s disease. Atomic force microscopy and optical characterization of amyloid beta deposits in the eye as a function of the stage of Alzheimer’s disease and in animal models of the disease. Correlations between amyloid beta deposits in the eye and other structural changes in the eye (eg loss of ganglion cell neurons) as well as correlations between the deleterious visual effects of Alzheimer’s disease, the stage of the disease and the characteristics of amyloid beta deposits.
L. Dolores Furlong, Dr., Professor, University of New Brurnswick	University of New Brunswick	Aging & dementia care. Health services and health care systems. Health leadership. Ethics in health care. Health education and curricula.	Aging & dementia care. Health services and health care systems. Health leadership. Ethics in health care. Health education and curricula.
Zoya Leonenko, Associate Professor, University of Waterloo	Leonenko Research Group, University of Waterloo	Molecular mechanism of amyloid toxicity, detection and prevention.	Theme 1 Prevention. Molecular Mechanism, detection and prevention of amyloid toxicity in Alzheimer's Disease. We study molecular mechanism of amyloid toxicity focusing on the role of biomembrane and non-specific binding of amyloid to lipid membrane. We develop biosensing methods to detect this binding in a real time, determine the damage induced by amyloid in the membrane, and elucidate how this damage is affected by membrane structure and composition, specifically by inclusion of cholesterol and melatonin and DHA. We use a combination of advanced experimental and theoretical methods, such as electrophysiology, cell viability assay, atomic force microscopy, molecular dynamics simulations, neutron scattering, as well as nanotechnology and biosensing approaches, such as surface plasmon resonance combined with microfluidic devices. This study will aid into understanding of the molecular mechanism of amyloid toxicity and will result in development of new methods for amyloid detection, as well as to the development of new preventive methodologies. Team PIs: Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Atomic force microscopy and Langmuir-Blodgett monolayer techniques, amyloid-membrane interactions, effect of cholesterol, DHA and melatonin protection (Zoya Leonenko, University of Waterloo). Molecular dynamics (MD) and multiscale modeling of lipid membranes and lipid-protein interactions (Mikko Karttunen, University of Waterloo). Neutron Scattering and X-ray diffraction applied to lipid membrane, (Norbert Kucerka, Canadian Neutron Beam Centre, National Research Council of Canada, Chalk River, ON). Electrophysiology of model and biological membranes, interaction with amyloid (Evgeny Pavlov, Dalhousie University, Andrey Abramov, UK (will be asked to join)) Biochemistry and pharmaceutical studies of amyloid toxicity in neuronal models (Michael Beazely, University of Waterloo). Biomedical Nanotechnology, plasmonics and microfluidics, single molecule detection by Surface Enhanced Spectroscopy (SERS) and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) techniques, biosensor development (Eric Finot, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France). Ion channel pathology induced by amyloid in biomembrane – simultaneous AFM and electrical recording using AFM. Protection by channel blocking (Ratnesh Lal, UCSD, USA, Ruth Nussinov, Israel (will be asked to join)).
Eric Racine, PhD, Director, Neuroethics Research Unit, Associate Research, Professor IRCM, Department of Medicine and Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Université de Montréal, Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Experimental Medicine & Biomedical Ethics Unit, McGill University, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM)	Eric Racine, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal	Bioethics, neuroethics, public understanding of neuroscience.	Ethics and novel interventions and diagnositc procedures, public understanding of neuroscience, ethics of memory research. Challenges of alternative and complementary medicine in AD.
Sophie Éthier, PhD gérontologie, Professeure adjointe, École de service social, Université Laval, CHU de Québec, Centre d'excellence sur le vieillissement de Québec	Sophie Éthier, Université Laval (only in French)	Impacts psychosociaux de la maldie d'Alzheimer pour les familles Responsabilité morale des aidants auprès d'un proche atteint d'Alzheimer. Participation sociale des personnes atteintes et des aidants. Recherche qualitative.	Qualité de vie Aidants.
Linda J. Garcia, PhD, Professor, Director, Associate Dean, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Scientist, Bruyère Research Institute	Linda Garcia, University of Ottawa	Dementia and transitions, long-term care, social support, communication, aphasia, francophones in minority situations and dementia, psychosocial impact, responsive behaviors, service delivery. Am running a small group called EntourAGE made up primarily of students (French and English; undergraduate and graduate). Research interests are focused on how communication influences human interactions and transitions as individuals with dementia continue to live with their functional limitations. Interested in the role others have in creating environments that facilitate communication and human interactions. The attitudes and approaches of conversational partners, social networks and interactions with health care professionals can all influence the level of success.	Primary Prevention – communication and health literacy around dementia. Francophones and access to information about dementia. Diagnosis of individuals who cannot communicate. Secondary Prevention – living through transitions in dementia and accessing appropriate health services. Experiences of people with dementia and caregivers. Identification of barriers and facilitators; self management of transitions. Quality of Life – quality of life in Long-term care of people with dementia. Focus on individuals with behavioral challenges. Interest on challenges posed by individuals of different ethnic backgrounds. Interest in social envrionments.
Lola L. Cuddy, Lifetime Professor Emeritus and Director of the Music Cognition Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Music Cognition Laboratory, Queen's University	Lola L. Cuddy, Queen's University	Psychological and neuropsychological assessment of perception and memory in healthy and pathological aging, with special focus on analysis of remarkable patterns of loss and sparing of musical memories in stroke, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Relation of musical cognition to other cognitive domains, including speech and language. Case study and mixed method designs. Principal supervisor of a team of early and senior investigators.	The role of music in dementia as: a component of cognitive therapy and intervention, an enhancer of memory, mood (both short term and long term effects), emotional status, and brain function in general, an enhancer of self-consciousness through retrieval of autobiographical memories attached to music, an effective marker contributing to early diagnosis of dementia. In addition, the related role of music in alleviating care-giver stress, and facilitating care-giver interaction with persons with dementia. Research interests include both behavioral and imaging methods. Theoretical interests involve illuminating our understanding of underlying brain networks.
Lynn McDonald, PhD, Professor, University of Toronto, Institute for Life Course & Aging, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work	Lynn McDonald, Institute for Life Course & Aging	Knowledge translation. Elder abuse. Caregiving. Poverty.	Dementia care. Quality of life.
Pamela Jarrett, Geriatrician FRCPC, FACP, Associate Professor of Medicine Dalhousie University, Horizon Health Network - New Brunswick		Treatment of Dementia/MCI - have participated in CLinical Trials through C5R. Alternate Level of Care patients. Driving.	Secondary prevention - would be interested in trials for treatment with various forms of dementia and with mild cognitive impairment. Would also be interested in the management of behavioural problems in dementia and their management. Quality of life - comorbidities and progression of dementia, driving and integrating dementia care into the health care system.
Jennifer A. Chandler, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa	Jennifer Chandler, University of Ottawa	Mental health and mental disability law. Medical law. Neuroethics. Biomedical ethics.	Ethical, social and legal issues related to: primary prevention (e.g. stigma and the identification of risk factors and presymptomatic individuals; ethico-legal assessment of preventive public health initiatives). Secondary Prevention (e.g. ethico-legal assessment of emerging forms of treatment; ethico-legal aspects of competence and substitute decision-making). Quality of life (e.g. legal protections for vulnerable individuals; social attitudes to dementia and their effect on legal and ethical reasoning around human rights of individuals with dementia).
Ron Levy, Assistant professor and neurosurgeon, Queen's University	Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University	Monkey model of Parkinson's disease. Awake monkeys studied with chronic neurophysiological techniques. Neuromodulation using deep brain and cortical stimulation and local drug infusions. Use of video telemetry, eye tracking, and arm movements to study the impact of surgical interventions.	The use of therapeutic neuromodulation using electric or magnetic stimulation, drug infusions, or permanent lesions or stabilize or reverse the clinical and neurophysiological correlates of Parkinson's disease. Animals are studied by applying neurosurgical techniques to perform minimally invasive and chronic electrophysiology. This enables studying the evolution of Parkinsonian symptoms and the effect of chronic therapies.
Lakshmi P. Kotra, Associate Professor (Univ. of Toronto), Scientist (University Health Network) Director, Center for Molecular Design and Preformulations, University Health Network and University of Toronto	Kotra Research Group, University of Toronto	Neurodegeneration, molecular mechanism, primary and secondary prevention, reversal of neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, new drug discovery.	My research group is interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and identifying targets that would lead to strategies for primary and secondary prevention strategies, as well as reversal of neurodegeneration. An interdisciplinary program encompassing target validation, bioorganic and medicinal chemistry, drug discovery synergized through appropriate animal models will be employed to test the hypothesis linking posttranslational modifications to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, and to address the challenges due to neurodegeneration in aging.
Annie Robitaille, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Ottawa/Faculty of Health Sciences, Bruyère Research Institute/Centre for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care		Mental health and cognition in older adults. The analysis of longitudinal studies and individual differences in aging-related processes. Dementia. Better understanding and management of behaviours in dementia.	Examine the longitudinal relationship between responsive behaviours for persons with dementia and social, cognitive, physical, environmental, medical and psychological factors. Analyse data systematically over time using state-of-the art statistical methods of longitudinal data analysis. Development of a self-management program that would help persons with dementia, their caregivers, and care providers (community and LTC) acquire the skills, and gain confidence in their ability to better manage responsive behaviours related to dementia.
Serge Rivest, Tenured professors and director of the department of Molecular biology, Director of the Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval		Immunology, hematopoietic system, animal models of neurodegenerative disease.	Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, engaging the immune system as a defence mechanism against neurodegenerative diseases.
Antoine Lampron, Post-doctoral fellow, Serge Rivest laboratory of endocrine physiology, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval		Hematopoietic system, immunity, translational science, clinical trials.	I am a candidate to become a junior professor next year. My special interests will focus on the mechanisms of immune senescence in aging populations and how they can be targeted as preventive strategies against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's diseas, MS and Parkinson's disease.
Dianne Groll, Assistant Professor, Director of Research, Department of Psychiatry, Department of Psychology, Queen's University		Quality of Life. Physical function and disability, comorbidities.	Quality of life, secondary prevention.
Jacqueline Pettersen, MD, MSC, FRCPC (Neurology), Cognitive/Behavioural Neurologist, Assistant Professor (Tenure Track), University of British Columbia (Northern Medical Program), Adjunct Professor, University of Northern British Columbia	Jacqueline Pettersen, University of Northern British Columbia Jacqueline Pettersen, UBC Department of Medicine	The overlap between cerebrovascular disease and dementia. Role of vitamin D and other nutrients in the brain, particularly age-related cognitive impairment and dementia.	Impact of cerebrovascular disease (particularly small vessel disease) on cognition and the development of dementia. Role of vitamin D and other nutrients in cognition and dementia. Primary and secondary prevention of dementia.
Alain Nepveu, Professor, Departments of Biochemistry, Oncology and Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University		DNA repair and DNA damage response. Microarray technologies. Mouse models, neurobiology, brain development (Angelo Iulianella, Dalhousie University).	Both aging and neurodegeneration are associated with reduced ability to cope with oxidative DNA damage. Oxidative DNA damage accumulates in the mammalian brain and causes the progressive loss of neurons associated with aging. Defective base excision repair can promote post-mitotic neuronal cell death and neurodegenerative disease. In particular, defective base excision repair of DNA damage was demonstrated in brains from individuals with Alzheimer's disease and amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Recent studies by our group using mouse models, cell-based assays and in vitro base excision repair assays with purified proteins identified a protein domain called Cut repeat that greatly stimulates the activity of hOGG1, a DNA glycosylase that removes the most common DNA damage adduct, 8-oxoguanine, and is required for efficient DNA repair. This discovery suggests 3 areas of investigation that stand to have a rapid impact on neurodegeneration interventions and the quality of life of aging Canadians. Delay of neurodegeneration. The mechanism by which Cut repeats stimulate the hOGG1 enzyme is through an allosteric change. In the presence of a Cut repeat, hOGG1 adopts a conformation that increases its affinity for 8-oxoguanine and its cleavage function by at least 10 times. We propose to develop a high-throughput 8-oxoguanine repair assay to identify small molecules that similarly change the conformation of hOGG1 and increase its activity, thereby delaying neurodegeneration in affected patients. Genetic markers to predict neurodegeneration Many studies reported a genetic association between various neurological disorders (bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, autism, distal hereditary motor neuropathies) and two genes encoding proteins with Cut repeats, CUX1 and CUX2. Yet, an association with neurodegenerative diseases that exhibit decreased DNA repair capability remains to be investigated. SNP array analysis, expression and functional analyses should be conducted on patients with Alzheimer diseases to verify the association with genetic polymorphisms within the CUX1 and CUX2 genes. Mouse models for neurodegenerative diseases Cux1+/-, Cux2-/- and Cux2-/-/Cux1+/- compound mutant mice survive to adulthood but exhibit greater signs of cognitive decline. These mice represent suitable preclinical models to investigate neurodegeneration and test novel intervention strategies. The Cux2-/- and Cux2-/-/Cux1+/- compound mutant mice were generated and characterized by Dr. Angelo Iulianella, assistant-professor in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University. His expertise will be essential.
William McIlroy, Richard Hughson, Professor, University Research Chair, Schlegel Research Chair in Vascular Aging and Brain Health, Schlegel-University of Waterloo, Research Institute for Aging	Bill McIlroy, University of Waterloo Dr. Richard Hughson, Research Institute for Aging	The collaborative efforts of McIlroy and Hughson function on the interface between neurophysiological and cardiovascular factors that affect cognitive and motor function in aging. McIlroy brings specific expertise in assessment of motor function with specific emphasis on balance and mobility as well as experience using therapeutic exercise to improve brain health and mobility. Hughson brings expertise in assessment of peripheral and cerebrovascular control and function, and the assessment of biomarkers.	Primary and secondary prevention can be addressed by research that will help to understand: the prevalence of age-related impairment to transient cerebrovascular control (missed in conventional static testing), and the development of non-imaging biomarkers to better screen through physiological and functional parameters. The latter topic can benefit from on-going evaluation in the elderly of functional fitness, cognitive performance and blood biomarkers, as well as from unique data obtained from astronauts as a model of accelerated “aging-like” changes in cardio- and cerebrovascular health, and in blood biomarkers.
Penny Gosselin, M.Cl.Sc., Ph.D., Reg. Aud, Audiologist III, Alberta Health Services		Hearing loss, memory loss, mild cognitive impairment, cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, aural rehabilitation, early intervention, cognitive health promotion, self-management.	Recent longitudinal studies have shown that the likelihood of developing dementia is related to the degree of hearing loss. Extending the quality of life. Post-doctoral research previously funded by the ASRP, I am interested in exploring the effect of early intervention to remediate the impact of hearing loss on the cognitive functioning and health of older adults and their caregivers/communication partners. Interventions that can improve communication and foster social interaction may help delay or slow the progression of cognitive decline and help reduce caregiver burden and communication breakdown.
Barbara Mason, Memorial University of Newfoundland	Memorial University		Palliative care. Pain and symptom management. End of life care. Identification of pain.
Andrew Lim, MD, MMSc, FRCPC, Assistant Professor and Clinician-Scientist, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto	Dr. Andrew Lim, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre	large-cohort (50-1000+ individuals) non-invasive ambulatory sleep and circadian assessment and phenotyping (e.g. actigraphy, ambulatory objective sleep apnea assessment) genome-wide association studies of quantitative sleep and circadian traits in aging mathematical analysis of physiological signals to extract sleep and circadian traits (e.g. probabilistic state transition analysis) circadian analysis of human -omic data (e.g. whole transcriptomic/epigenomic data) polysomnography and electroencephalography	circadian rhythms of gene expression and epigenetic modification (DNA methylation, histone acetylation) in the aging human cerebral cortex (see e.g. Lim et al, "Sex difference in daily rhythms of clock gene expression in the aged human cerebral cortex", J Biol Rhythms, 2013) sleep fragmentation as a risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia in aging (see e.g. Lim et al, "Increased fragmentation of rest-activity patterns is associated with a characteristic pattern of cognitive impairment in older individuals", Sleep, 2012; Lim et al, "Sleep Fragmentation and the Risk of Incident Alzheimer Disease", Sleep, in press) gene x sleep interactions vis a vis cognition in aging (see Lim et al, "Sleep modifies the relation of APOE to the risk of Alzheimer disease and neurofibrillary tangle pathology", Platform Presentation, AAN Annual Meeting) genetic determinants of sleep and circadian traits in aging (see Lim et al, "A common polymorphism near PER1 and the timing of human behavioral rhythms", Ann Neurol, 2012)
Femida Gwadry-Sridhar, Director of Health Informatics and Scientist, Lawson, Adjunct Professor - Computer Science, Western, Director of Health Informatics, Western	I-think Research, Lawson Health Research Institute	Registry development, clinical management systems, patient portals, data mining, artificial intelligence, visualization and interpretation of data. I have co-chaired the medication adherence working group in the US for many years and developed the evidence based guidelines on how to conduct both retrospective and prospective research in adherence. I have an international collaborative grant with Kings College in London and other groups internationally.	How to understand data needs of an interdisciplinary consortium and to create data registry requirements that will help answer questions relevant to multiple disciplines. Incorporation of images into web based systems. Creating patient portals with dynamic tools to support patients and caregivers , and in particular supporting medication adherence.
Stephen Czarnuch, PhD, Candidate, Intelligent Assistive Technology and Systems Lab, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 550 University Avenue, Toronto	Intelligent Assistive Technology and Systems Lab	Needs assessment. Intelligent assistive technology. Quality of life. Clinical trials. Cognitive aids for older adults with dementia. Artificial intelligence. Machine learning.	The development and use of intelligent assistive technologies toward improving the ouality of life and independence of older adults with dementia.
Heather Cook, Chief Nursing Officer and Professional Practice Lead/Interior Health Authority, #220-1815 Kirschner Road Kelowna, British Columbia	Interior Health	My primary role is as a Knowledge User with expertise in the following areas: Health Care systems (Long term care, assisted living, community care) Legislation (pertaining to the care of seniors in BC) Provincial direction in seniors care, including the Senior’s Action Plan, Dementia Action Plan (as examples) Environmental design standards (long term care, assisted living, dementia housing) Challenges and opportunities for research in the sector Additionally, I have had opportunity in the following areas: Co-Primary Investigator in a variety of research projects, including end of life care, quality of care, staffing models Scientific Officer with CIHR Knowledge Synthesis committee (2009 – present) Scientific Officer with CIHR Institute of Circulatory & Respiratory Health Emerging Networks (2013)	My research interest areas include: quality of care in the long term care sector, interdisciplinary team knowledge, skill in meeting the needs of those with cognitive impairments, system design/re-design to meet the needs of those with cognitive impairments, staffing models that result in quality outcomes, quality end of life care, improving the care of seniors in the acute care system, knowlege translation to practice.

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List of researchers signaling their interest in joining the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA)

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