To mark Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, the Alzheimer Society of Toronto, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and the Toronto Dementia Research Alliance have partnered to bring you a virtual panel exploring innovative approaches in Alzheimer’s disease research and care.

Summary:

Current medications for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias have limited effectiveness and often come with significant side effects, highlighting the urgent need for new and safer treatments. One promising area of research is brain stimulation, which uses electrical or magnetic signals to influence brain activity. These treatments can be done invasively, with small electrodes placed inside the brain, or non-invasively, with electrodes on the scalp. Already approved for treating conditions like depression, brain stimulation shows promise in early studies for reducing symptoms of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, as well as for slowing cognitive decline and preventing progression to dementia.

During this panel, we will:

1. Provide an overview of brain stimulation therapies, including different types, their applications, risks, benefits, and limitations
2. Share insights into the latest research and opportunities for participation
3. Highlight the perspective of a research participant who has firsthand experience with brain stimulation

This event will be presented in plain language, and include opportunities to engage with the panelists and have your questions answered.

About the Presenters

Dr. Mina Mirjalili  is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). She completed her PhD in computational neuroscience at the University of Toronto. With a background in electrical engineering and computer modelling, Dr. Mirjalili’s research focuses on creating new treatments to improve cognitive function in people with mental health conditions. Her work involves developing personalized brain stimulation techniques and studying how the brain works during thinking processes.

Dr. Luca Pisterzi is the Vice President of Research, Programs, and Evidence at the Alzheimer Society of Canada. He is also a member of Canada’s Ministerial Advisory Board on Dementia. Dr. Pisterzi holds a PhD in Molecular Pharmacology and Biophysics and a Global Executive MBA in Healthcare and the Life Sciences. Having spent the last decade in various roles related to Alzheimer’s and dementia research, he focuses on turning research findings into practical solutions that improve the quality of life for those affected.

Vince Pancuska has valuable perspectives and insights through his lived experience with mild cognitive impairment, caregiving for someone with dementia, and participation in clinical research studies at CAMH.