Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
1111
THE MCGILL UNIVERSITY
RESEARCH CENTRE FOR STUDIES IN AGING (MCSA)
AUGUST 2019
THANK YOU PARTICIPANTS!!
The scientific achievements from last year were possible thanks to the active participation of our relatives of our patients, their relatives and friends. Together, we advanced the clinical science towards new therapies for Alzheimer’s Disease.
RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS
The TRIAD (Translational Imaging in Aging and Dementia) cohort is a population-based study developed at the McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging. The TRIAD cohort is designed to study the most important biomarker changes that are involved in aging and brain disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease. Participants undergo cognitive tasks, MRI scans and
PET scans every two years. The TRIAD cohort will serve as a benchmark for understanding what proteins become abnormal in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Results from the TRIAD study will be used to guide future disease-modifying trials against Alzheimer's Disease and other disorders. If you are interested in participating, call 514-761-6131 x 6321.
NEW RESEARCH DONOR WALL – TRIAD COHORT
CROSSROADS PAVILLION 6775 LASALLE BLVD VERDUN QC H4H 1R3
For research participants and sponsors that are interested in donating to the TRIAD Cohort Research Study, please contact Alexandra Triantafillopoulos at
T: 514-761-6131 x6311 or email [email protected]. The goal of the study is:
To better understand Amyloid and Tau proteins present in the brain
To understand the role of inflammation in the brain in normal aging and in Alzheimer’s Disease
To develop Research methodologies which can diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease at earlier stages
AWARDS 2018-2019
Dr. Pedro Rosa-Neto and Dr. Serge Gauthier, for the 5 year funding by the Fonds de Recherche en Santé (FRSQ) for the TRIAD/BioVie COHORT.
Welcome to the 8th edition of our Newsletter, keeping you updated on the latest news, events and research information.
Back Row: Dr. T. A. Pascoal, Dr. N. Qureshi, C. Tissot- Front Row: J. Therriault, F. Lussier, A. Benedet
BRAIN & BRAIN PET 2019 JAPAN CONFERENCE: Travel Awards Dr. Tharick Ali Pascoal, MD, PhD,
Neurologist
Dr. Muhammad Naveed Iqbal Qureshi
Joseph Therriault, BA, PhD candidate
Andrea Lessa Benedet, MSc, PhD candidate
Cécile Tissot, BSc, MSc candidate
Firoza Lussier, BSc, MSc candidate
AAIC 2019 – LOS ANGELES, CA AWARDS: Dr. Tharick Ali Pascoal, MD, PhD,
Neurologist – Preconference Award
Andrea Lessa Benedet, MSc, PhD candidate - Full conference, travel and accommodation Award
Joseph Therriault, BA, PhD candidate – Preconference Award
Firoza Lussier, BSc, MSc candidate Full conference registration Award
CIHR TRAVEL GRANT: Cécile Tissot, BSc, MSc candidate
($1000)
MARIE GUYERE TRAVEL AWARD, Douglas Mental Health University Institute: Joseph Therriault, BA, PhD candidate
($500)
CONFERENCES 2019-2020
International Scientific Conferences 2019-2020
July 4-7, 2019 Brain & Brain Pet 2019 Yokohama, Japan
July 12-18, 2019 AAIC 2019 – Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, Los Angeles, CA
August 4-8, 2019
ISN-ASN 2019 -The International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) and the American Society for Neurochemistry (ASN)
August 28-31, The Asian Society
2019 Against Dementia, Singapore (ASAD)
December 4-7, 2019
The Clinical Trials in Alzheimer’s Disease, San Diego (CTAD)
December 2019
EU/US Task Force CTAD – Dr. Serge Gauthier - Speaker
2019: BRAIN & BRAIN PET & AAIC CONFERENCES
MCSA Research Team – Brain & Brain Pet 2019 Yokohama Japan
Dr. Pascoal, Dr. Qureshi, C. Tissot, A. Benedet, J. Therriault
MCSA Research Team – AAIC 2019 A. Benedet, F. Lussier, J. Therriault., Dr.
Pascoal, C. Tissot, Dr. E. Thomas, J. Stevenson, Dr. Rosa-Neto, S.
Mathotaarachchi
F. Lussier, C. Tissot, J. Stevenson, Dr. Rosa-Neto, J. Therriault, Dr. Pascoal
Dr.Tharick Ali Pascoal, MD, PhD, Neurologist Title: “Longitudinal
evaluation of tau propagation using [18F] MK-6240.”
The presentation of Dr. Pascoal consisted of the first longitudinal evaluation of a new image tool that visualizes the in- vivo brain tau protein, which is one of the culprits of Alzheimer’s Dementia, with great sensitivity. In this study, Dr. Pascoal showed that Tau protein accumulates in the brain of Alzheimer’s Disease patients and also in some cognitively intact elderly subjects that are probably in pre-dementia stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. This study opens the door for preventive treatments in cognitively intact individuals using therapies aiming to prevent tau protein progression, which brings hope to prevent the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Dr. Muhammad Naveed Iqbal Qureshi, PhD –Title: “Functional Connectivity Investigation in Alzheimer’s Disease
using PET and fMRI Imaging.” The brain functional decline with the progression of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is one of its biggest Hallmarks. Here, we examine the decline of functional connectivity associated with brain Tau and Amyloid protein aggregates in AD patients. We hypothesized that the protein aggregates deposition in the control normal should be minimum and gradually increase in the MCI and AD groups i.e., AD > MCI > CN and it corresponds to an exactly opposite pattern of decline in the resting state functional connectivity i.e., CN > MCI > AD.
Joseph Therriault, BA, PhD Candidate Title: “Amyloid-dependent and Amyloid-independent effects of Tau on clinical status.”
Amyloid and Tau are two proteins that define Alzheimer’s Disease. However, because they occur in different brain regions, it is not known how they interact to affect clinical symptoms of the disease. With this project, we show that areas of the brain that have both pathologies are more vulnerable to neurodegeneration.
Cécile Tissot and Firoza Lussier
Cécile Tissot, BSc, MSc candidate Title: “Neuropsychiatric symptoms are correlated with Tau in the Alzheimer's Disease spectrum” We studied the neuropsychiatric symptoms suffered from our participants from the TRIAD cohort, and how they affect themselves, as well as their caregiver. Each of the participants underwent two PET scans, showing amyloid and tau deposition in their brain. We discovered that the distress caused by the neuropsychiatric symptoms in the caregivers is related to tau deposition in the brain of the participants. This study shows the importance of the caregiver's input in the managements of diseases, which is often overlooked.
Firoza Lussier, BSc, MSc candidate Title: “Mild behavioral impairment is associated with beta-amyloid and tau in cognitively intact elderly individuals.
The syndrome of mild behavioral impairment (MBI) was found to be correlated with increased deposition of Beta-Amyloid and Tau proteins, Alzheimer's Disease biomarkers, even in elderly persons without any cognitive symptoms.
Andrea Lessa Benedet, MSc, PhD candidate – Title: “Associations between plasma
NfL and PET biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease.”
Min Su Kang, BsC, PhD Candidate Title: “[18F] FDG is associated with CSF neurofilament light chain in mild cognitive impairment.” We investigated a link between CSF-NfL and [18F]FDG
as a marker of neurodegeneration in healthy and mild cognitive impairment individuals. We demonstrated that the CSF-NfL level is associated with the hypometabolism in mild cognitive impairment but not in healthy individuals.
Dr. Émilie Thomas, PhD Title: “Association between Neuroinflammation (level) and verbal and visual memory performance in high affinity binders.”
The objective of this study was to determine, in living patients, whether the neuroinflammation load is associated with verbal and visual memory performance in a sample of high affinity binders for PBR28 (a neuroinflammation tracer). The sample included 49 cognitively unimpaired elderly (CU), 12 people diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 12 with Alzheimer’s Dementia. All participants underwent positron emission tomography (PET) for neuroinflammation, Tau aggregates and Amyloid-Beta (Aβ) load. The results indicate that even if the impact of
neuroinflammation on cognition is not as strong as the impact of tau aggregates, neuroinflammation still plays a role in memory performances. In addition, besides a deleterious effect on cognition, our preliminary results suggest that there might also have a protective effect of neuroinflammation on cognition. These findings are especially important for the development of effective disease modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s Disease.
Jenna Stevenson, BA Title: “The Translational biomarkers in
Aging and Dementia: TRIAD, a biomarker oriented cohort.”
Jenna Stevenson presented the above poster in L.A., on behalf of Dr. Mira Chamoun, PhD. The poster described the TRIAD cohort in which over 500 participants are currently enrolled. We shared the recruitment and retention techniques, as well as the variety of measures completed by participants when they join TRIAD cohort.
MCSA IS HOSTING THE NEXT PK COURSE JUNE 18-19,
2020 & NRM 2020 CONFERENCE MEETING IN MONTREAL JUNE
20-23, 2020
NRM2020.org Email: [email protected]
ANNUAL BBQ FUNDRAISER WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2019
4:30 – 7:30 PM
MCSA and CrossRoads Staff and Students MCSA held its Annual BBQ fundraiser on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 to thank all of the Donors for their generosity and support throughout the past year. This year’s event was the most successful for attending participants. Dr. Rosa-Neto, Dr. Gauthier, and Dr. Vitali welcomed all guests and began the evening with a brief summary of the Centre’s accomplishments.
Swingaro – Music Quartet Band
Members : Antoine Marasco, Thomas Morelli-Bernard, Juliette Malgrange and
Tyler Parent
AWARDS 2019
Dr. P. Vitali, MD, PhD, FRCPC, Dr. S. Gauthier, C.M., C.Q., MD, FRCPC, Dr. P.
Rosa-Neto, MD, PhD, Dr. D. Dastoor, PhD
The 2019 MCSA Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Dr. Dolly Dastoor for her work in Dementia Care since 1973 when she joined the Douglas Hospital
Geriatric Services as a clinical psychologist. She became involved with Alzheimer Research and was one of the founders of the Alzheimer Society of Montreal and then its President and later the Vice - President of the Alzheimer Society of Canada. She developed with Dr. Martin Cole, the Hierarchic Dementia Scale (HDS), and her 1998 Ph.D thesis was on Rate and Predictors of Decline in Dementia of the Alzheimer Type as measured by the HDS.
She was instrumental in developing at Douglas Hospital, the first in Quebec, The Program in Dementia with Psychiatric Co-morbidity which provided a continuum of care model with a Day Centre, Memory Clinic and an 18 bed unit. Dolly was the Clinical Administrator of this program from 1998 until her retirement in 2013.
At present she is Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at McGill University and a member of the McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging. She chairs the MCSA Education Committee where the Brainy Boomer lecture series were developed in 2007, to disseminate information on different aspects of ageing, developments in dementia research and care to the public especially to families dealing with this disease. Annual Health Days and bi-annual Symposiums are held under the auspicious of the MCSA Education Committee.
“This Award is given to express deep appreciation for providing leadership as Chair of the MCSA Education committee, your contribution in research, and your lifetime commitment towards progress against Dementia”
MCSA Education Committee Members Front Row left to right: S. Aguzzi, M.
Maiolo, Dr. D. Dastoor, Dr. S. Gauthier, Dr. P. Vitali, Dr. L. Mazzella-Maiolo, A.
Triantafillopoulos, T. Anuza, T. Tatigian, Dr. P. Rosa-Neto and Dr. M. Wiseman.
Tamar Tatigian, Medical
Secretary at the
McGill University Research
Centre for Studies in
Aging (MCSA) for the past 28 years. During the awards ceremony, she received the 2019 MCSA Service Award. Awarded by Dr. Pedro Rosa-Neto, Dr. Serge Gauthier, and Dr. Paolo Vitali, this award recognized Tamar's decades- long devoted service to the growth and success of MCSA. Tamar considers it a high privilege to work with the outstanding and diverse MCSA staff and students from all over the world and thanks the MCSA for this award.
Merci aux Commanditaires/Thank you to our sponsors!!!!
Terina Importing Inc. Coiffure Capri ELLE ET LUI
MEET OUR NEW STUDENTS/ STAFF 2019
Zainab Abalkhail joined MCSA in May 2019 and works as a Psychometrist at Crossroads Pavilion. She conducts neuropsychological and cognitive evaluations for the
participants. She enjoys spending her time with the participants and making sure they feel comfortable and relaxed. She feels happy to see participants enjoying their time and sharing their smiles with everyone around.
Alyssa Stevenson is a Psychology
undergraduate student at
Concordia University. Alyssa joined MCSA in May 2019 as a
Research Assistant and is
presently doing data entry for the Triad Cohort Study. Alyssa is grateful for the opportunity to grow and work alongside such warm and esteemed colleagues.
Nesrine Rahmouni
graduated in Biochemistry and
molecular medecine at Université de
Montréal. Nesrine joined MCSA in May
2019 as a research assistant under the supervision of Dr. Pedro Rosa-Neto, working on research projects and laboratory experiments.
Maria Zimmerman
joined MCSA in June 2019 under the supervision of Dr. Pedro Rosa-Neto. Maria is an
undergraduate student at McGill
University in the Faculty of Science. Maria will be working on an Autoradiographic study, quantifying mGLUR5 receptors in hippocampal and neocortical human brain
tissue, from epileptic patients who underwent surgery for medically intractable seizures, and necropsy controls, and correlating this with changes in synaptic density.
INTERNATIONAL VISITORS Paul Bakchine, Medical Student from Reims, France visited the McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging for a one-month observership
(July 2018) with Dr. Serge Gauthier. As a 4th year medical student, Mr. Bakchine
valued the experience that he gained at MCSA, and felt fortunate for having the opportunity to meet professionals with different roles such as: clinical approach, programming analysis, new treatments and diagnostic testing.
Eva Wachtelaer, M.Sc. student Eva was an exchange student from Belgium, from November 2018 to May 2019, performing her master’s thesis in our research group. She currently investigates
the role of brain iron deposition in Alzheimer’s Disease. She uses Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) methods to relate iron values to the healthy aging brain and AD pathophysiology to improve the understanding of the disease.
Lucas Ceolin, Giulia Cenci, Medical Students and Dr. Caroline Calice da Silva, PhD - Director of PostGraduate Programs; School of Medicine Professor.
Affiliation: IMED - Passo Fundo, RS – Brazil -
Website: https://www.imed.edu.br
Researchers from Brazil visited the McGill
University Research Centre for Studies in Aging in June 2019. They are from IMED
University, based in Passo Fundo. Dr. Caroline Calice da Silva, PhD, is the Director of Postgraduate Programs and Professor at the School of Medicine and Lucas and Giulia are undergraduate students. Their visit was to observe and learn how to conduct clinical trials. They aspire to apply this knowledge in Brazil and to be able to collaborate with the McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging.
International Medical Student Lorenzo Bresciani, from Humanitas University, Milano, Italy will be visiting MCSA in August 2019 for one month to complete a medical student observership.
The Daughters of Penelope – 1st Fundraiser in support of Alzheimer Disease – Triad Cohort – October 20, 2019 The event , An Evening in Monte Carlo, will take place on Sunday, October 20, 2019, at the Palace Convention Centre, 1717 blvd Du Corbusier, Laval, QC H7S 2K7. If you would like to attend the fundraiser please contact T: 514-761-6131 X 6311 Alexandra Triantafillopoulos for ticket information.
Associazione Spignese di Montreal 3rd Annual Alzheimer Fundraiser Event – November 2, 2019 If you would like to attend the fundraiser please contact T: 514-761-6131 x 6308 Silvana Aguzzi for ticket information.
MEMORY CLINIC: ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE RESEARCH UNIT
Alzheimer’s Disease Research Unit Director Dr. Serge Gauthier and Dr. Pedro Rosa-Neto, Director of the McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging, utilize the best clinical practices and cutting-edge technologies for diagnosis of medical conditions associated with memory problems. The Memory Clinic is actively involved in cognitive research and is recognized internationally as a Clinical Trial Site. Clinical trials (Phase II-IV) that test the efficacy and safety of experimental drugs for AD and other cognitive disorders are ongoing. The MCSA is in the process of recruiting for 2 different clinical trials on Alzheimer’s Disease and one observational study on Dementia. Our team will answer all questions on the above studies in regards to clinical trials and if you are interested in obtaining more information
and/or participating in one of our clinical trials please do not hesitate to contact Tamar Tatigian at 514-761-6131 x6314 or email: [email protected].
DONATIONS We appreciate your continued support to our Centre! To achieve all of our objectives and to continue to play an important role in aging research in Quebec and Canada, we always need your help. In order to advance in our mission and mandate towards (1) prevention, (2) major focus of aging research, and (3) commitment in investigating causes and new treatments of the dementias, we count on your continued support. We thank all of our Donors for their encouragement and confidence in our work which contributes to the preservation of the highest levels of research, education, and teaching in the field of aging. We are happy to accept donations that will support our research efforts. We will issue a receipt for tax purposes for all donations above $15.00. In addition, every donor whose gifts exceed $500 will be honored by receiving a permanent inscription on our Donor Wall. If you would like to make a donation by mail, phone or email, please contact Alexandra Triantafillopoulos at 514- 761-6131 X 6311 or By Email: [email protected] or [email protected].
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all of our Donors and are grateful for your continuous support and interest in the Centre’s research and knowledge outreach programs. Thanks to Donors like you we can continue our mission in investigating causes and treatments of the dementias, especially Alzheimer`s Disease. Your support is extremely important to us and we encourage you to spread the word on social media in helping with our cause. Dr. Pedro Rosa-Neto, Director of the McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging, Dr. Serge Gauthier, Director of the Alzheimer Disease Research Unit/Memory Clinic and the MCSA Team would like to thank you for your generous contributions and support throughout 2019.
In addition, we hope that you will be able to take part in one or more of our many exciting events planned for 2019; such as our Brainy Boomer Lecture Series and Open House – Health Day (September 13, 2019). We look forward to your feedback and suggestions, email us at [email protected].
www.aging.mcgill.ca tnl.research.mcgill.ca
http://alzheimer.mcgill.ca
UPCOMING EVENTS SAVE THE DATE 2019
BRAINY BOOMERS LECTURE SERIES:
“Abuse and Neglect of the Older Adults: Who is at Risk?”
Date: Friday September 6, 2019 Time: 10:00 – 11:30
Dr. Daphne Nahmiash, PhD Le Centre Cummings
5700 Avenue Westbury Montreal, Quebec H3W 3E8 Registration: 514-452-6472
“Aging & Memory” Date: Friday October 4, 2019
Time: 1:30 Dr. Dolly Dastoor, PhD
Senior’s Fair CHLSD Vigi Santé DDO
197 Thornhill Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec
H9B 3H8
“Why Your Family History Is Important” Date: Thursday October 17, 2019
Time: 1:30 – 3:30 Laura Robb, MSc, CGC
The Teapot 2901 St Joseph
Lachine, Quebec H8S 4B7 Registration: 514-637-5627
“Aging & Memory”
Date: Thursday December 19, 2019 Time: 1:30 – 3:30
Dr. Dolly Dastoor, PhD The Teapot
2901 St Joseph Lachine, Quebec H8S 4B7
Registration: 514-637-5627
“Aging Successfully” Date: Monday January 30, 2020
Time: 1:30 – 3:30 Dr. Dolly Dastoor, PhD
The Teapot 2901 St Joseph
Lachine, Quebec H8S 4B7 Registration: 514-637-5627
“Healthy Body, Healthy Bones” Date: Wednesday May 13, 2020
Time: 1:30 – 3:30 Dr. Loraine Mazzella-Maiolo MD, FCCP(C)
Centre de Soutien Entr’Aidant 1688 rue Gustave
Saint Hubert, Quebec J4T 1Y6 Registration: Catherine Séguin 450-465-2520
x 208
“Healthy Eyes”
Date: Thursday May 14, 2020 Time: 1:30 – 3:30
Dr. Christopher Serhan, Optometrist The Teapot
2901 St Joseph Lachine, Quebec H8S 4B7
Registration: 514-637-5627
------------------------------------------------
4TH OPEN HOUSE – HEALTH DAY
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2019
9:00 – 4:00 pm MCSA invites 50+ Seniors to
come and evaluate their health and
attend educational lectures. DEADLINE TO REGISTER:
SEPTEMBER 3, 2019 REGISTRATION: $10.00
LIMITED PLACES
RSVP: 514-761-6131 x 6308
Contact: Silvana Aguzzi or Sarah Mulcahy
