Baycrest Health Sciences & Baycrest Foundation Publications
Issue link: http://baycrest.uberflip.com/i/1223370
BAYCREST LEADS THE WAY IN DEMENTIA PREVENTION WITH CCNA Since 2018, Baycrest has been home to the scientific headquarters of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA), which consists of nearly 400 clinicians and researchers in Canada who are working to accelerate progress in age- related neurodegenerative diseases. Through CCNA, Baycrest is playing a central role in the federal government's strategy to advance new research on the prevention and treatment of dementia. "CCNA intends to make Canada a leader in dementia prevention by creating an infrastructure and a master protocol that can be used to test combination interventions, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological," says Dr. Howard Chertkow, Scientific Director of CCNA, Chair in Cognitive Neurology and Innovation and Senior Scientist at Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute (RRI). CCNA is leading the largest-ever Canadian study on cognitive decline and dementia: COMPASS-ND, the COMPrehensive ASSessment of Neurodegeneration and Dementia Study. Its aim is to gather extensive data from people with memory loss and dementia in the real world, rather than only in the context of a drug study. With this data, ranging from brain imaging to genetic and biological information, dozens of CCNA researchers will be able to answer crucial questions about dementia, which may in turn lead to the development of better care and treatment. Several Baycrest researchers have also been involved in other CCNA projects since its scientific headquarters relocated, including creating the first Canadian Brain Health Food Guide in collaboration with CCNA nutritionists and running clinical trials to reduce the risk of dementia through lifestyle changes. "In partnership with CCNA, Baycrest can advance to the next level of accomplishment, our shared goals to identify, apply and redefine best practices in prevention and in the treatment of brain health diseases such as Alzheimer's and related dementias," says Dr. William Reichman, President and CEO of Baycrest. 2020 BAYCREST IMPACT 11