Geriatric Psychiatry Research

Opportunities for clinical and translational research in geriatric psychiatry are considerable. There are particular divisional strengths in:

  • functional neuroimaging (PET & fMRI)
  • pharmacometrics
  • pharmacogenetics
  • clinical trials methodology

Dr. Krista Lanctot and Dr. Sanjeev Kumar are jointly serving as Research Coordinators for the Division. Graduate advisers within the Division are available to those enrolled in the Clinician Scientist Program.

For Dementia-specific studies, including studies from outside of the Geriatric Psychiatry Division, please contact TDRA..

Ongoing research studies that are recruiting participants

Organized by topic

Brain Heart Connection

About to start recruiting: IBHeC: Investigating the Brain-Heart Connection

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
1. Age 60+ 2. Any of:  Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)  Remitted major depressive disorder (rMDD)  Cognitively unimpaired with no history of rMDD Geriatric Depression Rating Scale (GDS) <5 and does not currently meet criteria for major depressive episode (MDE) No; observational study Heart rate variability (HRV) assessment; cognitive and mood assessments; informant interview Study Contact: Amanda Rahmadian (arahmadian@research.baycrest.org) PI: Dr. Linda Mah Baycrest

 

Brain Stimulation-Cognition

About to start recruiting: dTMS SCD: Effect of Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) on Cognition in Older Adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
1. 55-70 years old 2. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) with family history of late onset sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease 3. Score >26 on MoCA 4. Stable on medications and not expected to change during study period Yes; Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) EEG; Cognitive and mood assessments; informant assessment Study Contact: Amanda Rahmadian (dtms@research.baycrest.org) PI: Dr. Linda Mah Baycrest

 

dTMS for MCI/AD + depression: Treatment of Comorbid Depression and Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults Using Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS)

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
1. Age 55+ Mild/Major Neurocognitive Disorder due to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD), current episode >4 weeks but <5 years, which has not responded to antidepressant medication 2. Stable on medications (2 months) and not expected to change during study period Yes; Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) Clinical/ neuropsychological assessments, Cognitive assessment, Neuroimaging (EEG/MEG & MRI), Study Contact: Amanda Rahmadian (dtms@research.baycrest.org) PI: Dr. Linda Mah Baycrest

 

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

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES

MCI: > 60yo, right handed, MCI diagnosis, fluent in English

HC: >60yo, right handed, fluent in English, no lifetime history of psychiatric condition

Yes: Paired Associative Stimulation (PAS): Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) + Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) NeuroPsych assessments, Bloodwork, Biomarkers, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Saliva Sampling, PAS, Electroencephalogra phy (EEG) PI: Dr. Tarek Rajji Study Contact: Francois Genadry (francois.genadry@camh.ca) CAMH

 

Vielight: Neuro RX Gamma Photobiomodulation Device for Moderate to Severe Alzheimer’s Disease

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
ON HOLD: temporarily on hold and transitioning to a less impaired patient population starting in the new year (moderate to severe AD 1) Diagnosis of AD 2) MMSE score between 8–20 3) SIB score at baseline of ≤90 Age 4) 50 and older at the time of enrolment 5) No abnormality other than Alzheimer’s disease on MRI or CT scan obtained within previous 24 months of enrolment into the trial Yes, The Neuro RX Gamma device or placebo device Cognitive assessments PI: Dr. Corinne Fischer Corinne.fischer@unityhealth.to Research Coordinator: Arthishia Shanmuganathan Arthishia.shanmuganathan@unityhealth.to UHT

 

EXPRESS: Exercise as a primer for excitatory stimulation study: A combined exercise and transcranial direct current stimulation intervention for cognition

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
1) Males or females ≥50 years of age 2) DSM-5 major or mild neurocognitive disorder due to AD or mixed AD/vascular disease 3) MMSE ≥19 4) Read and communicate in English Yes: transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), sham tDCS, exercise,treatment as usual (no exercise) Cognitive assessments, blood work, optional MRI, exercising at Toronto Rehab Institute PI: Krista Lanctôt Krista.lanctot@sunnybrook.ca Study contact: Mehreen Siddiqui (mehreen.siddiqui@sri.utoronto.ca) Sunnybrook

 

EXPRESS-V: Exercise as a primer for excitatory stimulation in VCIND

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
1) mVCI and MoCA ≤ 27 2) Sufficiently proficient in English 3) able to exercise at moderate intensity (with training) Yes: transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), sham tDCS, exercise,treatment as usual (no exercise) Cognitive assessments, blood work, MRI, exercising at Toronto Rehab Institute PI: Krista Lanctôt Krista.lanctot@sunnybrook.ca Study contact: Mehreen Siddiqui (mehreen.siddiqui@sri.utoronto.ca) Sunnybrook

 

Exercise augmenting cognition tDCS (EXACT) trial: A pilot study of a combined exercise and transcranial direct current stimulation intervention for cognition

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
1) Males or females ≥50 years of age 2) DSM-5 major or mild neurocognitive disorder due to AD or mixed AD/vascular disease 3) MMSE ≥19 4) Read and communicate in English Yes: transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), exercise, treatment as usual (no exercise) Cognitive assessments, bloodwork, optional MRI, exercising at Toronto Rehab Institute Co-PI: Krista Lanctôt Krista.lanctot@sunnybrook.ca Study contact: Mehreen Siddiqui (mehreen.siddiqui@sri.utoronto.ca) Sunnybrook

 

dTMS for MCI/AD + comorbid depression: Treatment of Comorbid Depression and Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults Using Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS)

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
1. Age 55+ Mild/Major Neurocognitive Disorder due to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD), current episode >4 weeks but <5 years, which has not responded to antidepressant medication 2. Stable on medications (2 months) and not expected to change during study period Yes; Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) - Clinical/ neuropsychological assessments - Cognitive assessment - Neuroimaging (EEG/MEG & MRI), Study Contact: Amanda Rahmadian (dtms@research.baycrest.org) PI: Dr. Linda Mah Baycrest

 

rTMS Apathy Clinical Trial (REACT)

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
1. Major neurocognitive disorder due to AD or mixed AD/vascular disease of mild to moderate severity (MMSE 10-28)
2. Clinically significant apathy for at least 4 weeks
3. Care partner
4. Sufficiently fluent in spoken and written English
5. Must clear the TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) adult safety scale
Yes-
repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) +/- methylphenidate
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), cognitive assessments, bloodwork, optional MRI Study Contact: PI: Krista Lanctôt Krista.lanctot@sunnybrook.ca Carla Zucchero Sarracini (Carla.ZuccheroSarracini@sunnybrook.ca) Sunnybrook

 

Diagnoses

ACAD: Asian Cohort for Alzheimer’s Disease

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
- Age 60+, diagnosed with AD or healthy control - Identifies both parents as being Chinese No Cognitive assessments, physical (neurological) assessment, blood work PI: Dr. Wai Haung (Ho) Yu Study Contact: Jake McCallum (jake.mccallum@camh.ca) CAMH

 

BEAM: The Brain-Eye Amyloid Memory (BEAM): Validation of ocular measures as potential biomarkers for early detection of brain amyloid and neurodegeneration

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
1. Male or post-menopausal female (minimum of one year since the last menstrual period) 2. 50-90 years of age 3. ≥8 years education 4. Sufficient vision to participate in cognitive testing (corrected near visual acuity of Snellen 20/70 in at least one eye 5. Able to walk, with or without an assistive aid (e.g., cane, walker)  Additional specific eligibility criteria for Healthy Control, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s Disease, Lewy BodyDisease, Parkinson’s Disease Dementia, and Vacular Cognitive Impairment groups. No; observational study 1. Genomics and Fluid Biomarkers. 2. Neuropsycholog ical Battery and Questionnaires. 3. SD-OCT. 4. Vital Signs and Neurological Exam. 5. Gait and Balance Assessment. 6. Eye Tracking. 7. SV-OCT 8. MRI 9. Amyloid PET PI: Dr. Sandra Black Site PI: Dr. Sanjeev Kumar (CAMH) Study Contact: Gifty Asare (CAMH) (gifty.asare@camh.ca) Sunnybrook CAMH

 

Pharmacology Cognition

MOVE-IT: Efficacy and Safety of Nacetylcysteine (NAC) in patients with mild vascular cognitive impairment

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
mVCI (MoCA of ≤ 27) o supervised exercise program at UHN Toronto Cardiac Rehab o speak and understand English o No history ofstroke, epilepsy, TBI, Parkinson’s etc. o history of CAD, or vascular risk factors Yes: intervention capsules and exercise Cognitive assessment, blood work, MRI and MRS, exercising at Toronto Rehab Institute PI: Krista Lanctôt Krista.lanctot@sunnybrook.ca Study contact: Jane Ding (Sunnybrook) (jane.ding@sunnybrook.ca) Sunnybrook

 

MOVE-IT MRS: Linking GSH and cognitive response: a pilot phase 2a study of NAC in VCIND

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
o consent to MOVE-IT trial o Cognitively normal: MoCA ≥28 or no cognitive deficits (not 1 SD below population norm) o Males or females aged 55-85 years o Speaks and understands English o Enrollment in Cardiac Rehabilitation at UHN Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Yes: intervention capsules and exercise Cognitive assessment, blood work, MRI and MRS, exercising at Toronto Rehab Institute PI: Krista Lanctôt Krista.lanctot@sunnybrook.ca Study contact: Jane Ding (Sunnybrook) (jane.ding@sunnybrook.ca) Sunnybrook

 

Pharmacology Apathy

CVL-871-2001: A Trial of the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacodynamics of CVL-871 in Subjects With Dementia Related Apathy

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
 apathy (ISCTM criteria) + NPI apathy ≥2)  mild to moderate dementia (Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal, vascular, Lewy bodies, or mixed)  caregiver  No other major psychiatric or neurological condition (stable anxiety/depression treated acceptable)  Ambulatory  Not in long-term care Yes: CVL-871 1.0mg, CVL-871 3.0mg, or placebo Cognitive assessments, neuropsychiatric symptom assessments, caregiver interviews, blood and urine analysis, ECG PI: Dr. Krista Lanctôt (krista.lanctot@sunnybrook.ca) Study Contact: Christina Wang (christina.wang@sri.utoronto.ca) Sunnybrook

 

Pharmacology Agitation

S-CitAD: Escitalopram for Agitation in Alzheimer’s Disease

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
1) Alzheimer’s disease 2) Agitation 3) Has a caregiver 4) Not in a long-term care home Yes, psychosocial intervention, escitalopram or placebo Cognitive and clinical assessments, blood work, electrocardiogram (ECG), vital signs, weight PI: Dr. Tarek Rajji (CAMH) Study Contact: Celine Sakran (CAMH ) (celine.sakran@camh.ca); Rhea Harduwar (rhea.harduwar@camh.ca) PI: Krista Lanctôt ( Sunnybrook) Krista.lanctot@sunnybrook.ca Study Contact: Kritleen Bawa (Sunnybrook) (kritleen.bawa@sri.utoronto.ca) PI: Dr. Amer Burhan (Ontario Shores ) (burhana@ontarioshores.ca) Study Contact: Dr. Mervin Blair (Ontario Shores) (blairmer@ontarioshores.ca); Dr. Amer Burhan (burhana@ontarioshores.ca); Ramandeep Layal (Ontario Shores) (layalr@ontarioshores.ca) CAMH Sunnybrook Ontario Shores

 

NAB-IT: Nabilone for Agitation Blinded Intervention Trial

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
1) DSM 5 criteria for Major Neurocognitive Disorder due to AD (+/- vascular) 2) MMSE ≤24 3) agitation (IPA definition) 4) caregiver Yes, nabilone or placebo Behavioral assessments(CMAI,, NPI), Cognitive assessment (MMSE), pain assessment, nutrition assessment, blood work PI: Dr. Amer Burhan (Ontario Shores) Study Contact: Elaina Niciforos (Ontario Shores) (niciforose@ontarioshores.ca); Dr. Mervin Blair(blairmer@ontarioshores.ca; Dr. Amer Burhan (Burhanm@ontarioshores.ca) PI: Krista Lanctôt (Sunnybrook) Krista.lanctot@sunnybrook.ca Study Contact: Kritleen Bawa (Sunnybrook) (kritleen.bawa@sri.utoronto.ca) PI: Dr. Tarek Rajji (CAMH) Tarek.rajji@camh.ca Study Contact: Celine Sakran (CAMH) (celine.sakran@camh.ca); Rhea Harduwar (rhea.harduwar@camh.ca) Ontario Shores Sunnybrook CAMH

 

About to start recruiting: Cannabidiol Medication Intervention Trial (CALMIT)

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
  - Alzheimer’s disease - Clinically significant agitation - No other major psychiatric or neurologic conditions Cognitive assessments, mood & behaviour assessments with caregiver, blood tests PI: Dr. Krista Lanctôt (krista.lanctot@sunnybrook.ca) Study contact: Kritleen Bawa (kritleen.bawa@sri.utoronto.ca) Sunnybrook

 

Brain Stimulation Agitation

tTED: Targeting Brain Physiology to Treat Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia using TMS-EEG and tDCS

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
50 years old + & Free from any significant neurological disorder (HC) AD or mixed AD diagnosis(AD and AD+Agitation groups) Yes 2 weeks Transcranial direct currentstimulation (tDCS) (AD+Agitation group only) Cognitive Assessments MRI TMS-EGG tDCS (AD+Agitation group only) PI: Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Study Contact: Gifty Asare (gifty.asare@camh.ca) CAMH

 

Brain Health

Brain Health Support Program: A year-long, web-based, interactive program to reduce dementia risk factors. Part of CAN-Thumbs-UP and CCNA

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
1) Ages 60-85 2) Cognitively intact, subjective cognitive decline, or mild cognitive impairment AND 3) Increased risk of dementia (1st degree family history), hypertension, hypercholesteremia, high BMI, OR physical inactivity Yes Cognitive, neural, and risk assessment, yearlong program (all remote) PI: Nicole Anderson nanderson@research.baycrest.org Study Contact: Senny Chan (schan2@research.baycrest.org) Baycrest

 

Take a breather: Development of a Novel Behavioural Intervention to Improve Emotional Well-Being in Older Adults

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
1. Age 65+ 2. Penn State Worry Questionnaire ≥45 3. Montreal Cognitive Assessment Score ≥24 4. Not receiving active treatment of medical or psychiatric conditions (stable medication doses) Yes; stress management based on breathing exercises Mood & Cognitive questionnaires Heart rate variability assessment Breathing exercises Study Contact: Amanda Rahmadian (arahmadian@research.baycrest.org) PI: Dr. Linda Mah Baycrest

 

Imaging Depression

Association of myelin content with neuropsychological performance in remitted major depressive disorder: An adult lifespan perspective

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
Inclusion Criteria  Men and women aged 18 years or older (no upper age limit)  History of MDD according to DSM-5 criteria, with most recent episode having its offset within the past 24 months  In symptomatic remission for at least the preceding 4 months Exclusion Criteria  Dementia  Inability to communicate in English  Physical disability or sensory impairment that prevents participation in neuropsychological assessment  Contraindication to MRI No Neuropsychological assessment; MRI; bloodwork PI: Kathleen Bingham & Alastair Flint Study contact: Anastasia Taskov (anastasia.taskov@uhn.ca) UHN CAMH

 

Brain Stimulation Bipolar

CORRECT BD: Cognitive Outcomes and the Response/Remission Efficacy of Convulsive Therapies for Bipolar Depression

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
1. are inpatients or outpatients 2. are 18 years of age or older 3.Diagnosis of nonpsychotic Bipolar Disorder (Type I orII; according to MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview diagnosis) 4.are considered to be appropriate to receive convulsive therapy as assessed by an ECT attending psychiatrist and a consultant anaesthesiologist Yes, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) Clinical and cognitive assessments, lab work (blood work, urine screen), and electrocardiogram (ECG) PI: Dr. Amer Burhan (burhana@ontarioshores.ca) Study Contact: Dr. Mervin Blair (Ontario Shores) (blairmer@ontarioshores.ca); Dr. Amer Burhan (burhana@ontarioshores.ca) Ontario Shores

 

Brain Stimulation Depression

ECT vs. Ketamine: Investigations on the Efficacy of Ketamine in Depression in Comparison to Electroconvulsive Therapy

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INTERVENTION YES/No, if yes, name of intervention KEY PROCEDURES (Such as Cognitive Assessments, Brain Imaging, Blood work, etc.) CONTACT INFORMATION (Principal Investigator and research staff) SITES
1.Men and women aged between 18 and 70 years, inclusive with a body massindex (BMI) < 35 2. Patients meeting criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or Bipolar Disorder (BP) without psychotic symptoms according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM5) Yes, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or Ketamine Infusions Clinical and cognitive assessments, lab work (blood work, urine screen), and electrocardiogram (ECG), and vitals PI: Dr. Amer Burhan (burhana@ontarioshores.ca) Study Contact: Dr. Mervin Blair (blairmer@ontarioshores.ca); Dr. Amer Burhan (burhana@ontarioshores.ca); Ramandeep Layal (Ontario Shores) (layalr@ontarioshores.ca) Ontario Shores