DR. DONNA ROSE ADDIS
Canada 150 Research Chair in Cognitive
Neuroscience of Memory and Aging
Senior Scientist,
Rotman Research Institute
Professor of Psychology,
University of Toronto
DR. JEAN CHEN
Canada Research Chair in
Neuroimaging of Aging
Senior Scientist,
Rotman Research Institute
Associate Professor of
Medical Biophysics,
University of Toronto
DR. SHAYNA ROSENBAUM
Adjunct Scientist,
Rotman Research Institute
Professor and York Research Chair,
York University
DEMENTIA RESEARCH
Prevention
Dr. Jean Chen is developing an innovative white matter imaging technique that could
provide earlier markers of inflammation in the aging brain, allowing clinicians to
prescribe interventions to prevent diseases, such as dementia.
In parallel with this work, Dr. Chen continues to advance the use of magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) to examine blood fluctuations in the brain. She is a pioneer in this field
and recently showed that damage to our blood vessels leads to changes in our brain
networks, involving both grey and white matter. Our blood vessels naturally stiffen and
lose some of their elasticity with age, but certain conditions and lifestyle factors can
worsen the damage.
"The good news is that there are ways to improve blood flow and heart health through
everyday activities, such as exercise and healthy eating," says Dr. Chen.
In combination with her ongoing research on heart and brain health, Dr. Chen's new white
matter imaging technique will help advance our ability to prevent dementia by identifying
and addressing disease markers earlier in life. Her work is funded by CIHR.
COVID-19 RESEARCH
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, our researchers quickly mobilized to better understand
and address the virus' many impacts on our lives. As a result, the RRI has developed greater
collaborations with various Toronto Academic Health Science Network (TAHSN) hospitals
to support COVID-19-related research in various domains, from biobanking to molecular
biology to human testing. Some RRI scientists are examining the effects of infection on
brain structure and function, for example, through the NEUROCOVID19 study; others are
investigating the impact of the pandemic on mental health and cognitive function in
older adults; still others are researching potential disinfection techniques to reuse personal
protective equipment. In addition, Clinician Scientist Dr. Linda Mah has been appointed as
an expert member of Ontario's COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, which will inform Ontario's
response to the pandemic based on scientific progress across different fields.
As just one example of the many COVID-19-related studies underway at the RRI,
Dr. Shayna Rosenbaum and Dr. Donna Rose Addis are investigating whether imagining the
post-pandemic future can encourage people to follow protective measures against COVID-19
in the present. This York University-led study, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health
Research (CIHR), will help the Public Health Agency of Canada to maximize compliance with
public health measures such as physical distancing.
"It's natural to favour more immediate and certain rewards. However, we all have a tipping
point where we're willing to wait for or gamble on a delayed or uncertain reward that will
ultimately be a better outcome," says Dr. Addis. "These tendencies in our decision-making
have important implications in the context of COVID-19: Do we follow public health guidelines
and forego gathering with friends now, and opt for the longer-term and less certain reward
of the pandemic ending and returning to normal life?"
Drs. Rosenbaum and Addis have created imagination-based interventions to nudge people
towards making safer choices now for a better future. They are working with research
collaborators around the globe and have access to over 2.8 million frontline workers as
potential participants through an industry partner.
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2 ROTMAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE
