14 BAYCREST | 2024
WHAT ARE THE
RISK FACTORS FOR
DEMENTIA?
Researchers have identified
eight risk factors for
dementia: low education,
hearing loss, traumatic
brain injury, alcohol
or substance abuse,
hypertension, smoking,
diabetes, and depression.
What our scientists are exploring
We have more than 133 ongoing studies to determine how the
brain works and ages, so we can eliminate dementia. Here are
some key questions our scientists are exploring.
DOES HEART RATE
VARIABILITY (HRV)
HELP DETECT
COGNITIVE DECLINE?
We're assessing whether
HRV could potentially
serve as an objective
biomarker of risk for
future dementia.
DOES HEARING LOSS
IMPACT BRAIN AGING?
We're exploring the
relationship between
hearing loss, brain
aging, and the ability to
understand speech in
noisy situations.
DOES HOUSEWORK
PRESERVE COGNITIVE
HEALTH?
Adults who spend more
time doing household
chores seem to have
better cognitive health.
We're investigating why.
CAN ONLINE TOOLS HELP
MODIFY BEHAVIOUR AND
IMPROVE LIVES?
Brain Health PRO is an
interactive online program
being tested at Baycrest
and across Canada to help
older adults improve their
dementia risk factors.
Educational videos and
activities focus on exercise,
nutrition, sleep, social health,
cognitive engagement, heart
health, vision, and hearing.
