Baycrest

6 • BrainMatters • Fall/Winter 2024 Discussions about defeating dementia often focus on the search for some kind of "magic pill," but in the meantime, other pathways are quietly making steady progress. The Bresver Neuromodulation & Therapeutics Program encompasses research that explores the potential benefit of therapies applied over the scalp. It's part of a "predictive neuroscience for precision aging" approach at Baycrest. "Non-invasive neuromodulation of the brain is one of the most promising interventions for prevention of neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's disease," says Dr. Linda Mah, Senior Clinician Scientist at Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute, part of the Baycrest Academy for Research and Education (BARE). One modality is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), involving an electromagnetic coil that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. It has been shown to be effective in treating major depressive disorder, a known risk factor for dementia. "TMS studies in other high-risk populations including mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to Alzheimer's disease, have demonstrated short-term effectiveness, but much more research is needed to establish whether TMS has benefits on cognition, and can prevent or delay onset of dementia," says Dr. Mah. She and her colleague, Dr. Jed Meltzer, Baycrest's Canada Research Chair in Interventional Cognitive Neuroscience, are conducting clinical trials using a special coil that can stimulate a region fairly deep in the brain. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is involved in higher cognitive processes such as executive function, or the ability to multi-task, set goals and priorities, and monitor and adjust HEADS UP! BAYCREST SCIENTISTS EXPLORING BENEFITS OF NON-INVASIVE BRAIN STIMULATION David Bresver, Bunni Bresver, PhD Student Sabira Alibhai-Najarali and Dr. Jed Meltzer

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