Research Platforms

CIMA-Q’s mission is to stimulate and maximize Quebec expertise in research on Alzheimer’s disease. To achieve this, the Consortium has established expert groups and dedicated research platforms, which focus on the following objectives:

  • Identify predictive cognitive tests that are both reliable and sensitive.
  • Discover new neuroimaging markers to improve diagnostic accuracy.
  • Develop new biomarkers and therapeutic targets, paving the way for innovative treatments.
  • Explore risk factors and preventive factors to better understand and prevent disease.

These initiatives have already led to the publication of numerous scientific studies, testifying to the richness and productivity of the work carried out by these groups of experts.

Biomarkers and therapeutic targets

Direction: Sébastien Hébert PhD and Pierrette Gaudreau PhD, FCAHS

The Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets group team provides a wide range of biological samples accessible to researchers on request. As part of the CIMA-Q project, these samples are collected at different times, thus offering a valuable longitudinal dimension.

Thanks to this unique resource, researchers can innovate in their work, promoting the discovery of new therapeutic targets and/or molecular mechanisms likely to transform current approaches. The emergence of these new hypotheses will open new perspectives on the development and understanding of this disease. For more details visit the DATA section

Cognitive and neuropsychiatric markers

Direction: Benjamin Boller PhD

Recent studies indicate that Alzheimer’s disease begins to develop between 5 and 15 years before the onset of memory, language and judgment disorders. Diagnosing the disease as early as possible represents a major challenge, because once cognitive impairment becomes too advanced, the effectiveness of treatments decreases significantly.

The “Cognition” group has set itself the objective of designing a battery of tests and questionnaires capable of predicting, in a person with few or no symptoms, the probability that they will develop Alzheimer’s disease in the following years.

To achieve this goal, the group’s researchers will use tools to evaluate, among other things:

  • Cognitive functions, such as memory and language.
  • Subjective perception of cognitive decline.
  • Certain psychiatric symptoms, including depression and anxiety.

These efforts aim to identify warning signs of the disease, paving the way for earlier and potentially more effective interventions.

Neuroimaging

Direction: Mahsa Dadar PhD

Neuroimaging is a well-established and recognized technique for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and for assessing prognosis in people with mild cognitive impairment. As part of its work, CIMA-Q wants to explore the usefulness of neuroimaging to detect even earlier signs of the disease or identify associated risk factors in individuals with subjective cognitive complaints, often considered to be the first manifestations of dementia.

To meet these objectives, the Consortium has set up a neuroimaging platform bringing together:

  • Seven sites dedicated to magnetic resonance brain imaging (MRI).
  • Four sites equipped to measure brain metabolism using positron emission tomography (PET).

The main centers involved include:

  • The Research Center of the University Institute of Geriatrics of Montreal
  • The Montreal Neurological Institute
  • The Sherbrooke University Hospital Center
  • MRI Quebec

Main objectives of the neuroimaging platform

  • Harmonization of MRI and PET acquisitions
    • I. Develop and validate harmonized protocols.
    • II. Implement continuous quality control at each site using unique geometric and human ghosts to standardize data.
  • Acquisition of brain images
    • I. Collect MRI data longitudinally in the most participants and particularly in participants in the TSC and TCL groups.
    • II. Carry out PET acquisitions with fluoro-deoxyglucose (FDG), in order to measure cerebral metabolism.

Towards diagnostic advances

The ultimate goal is to provide researchers with high-quality imaging data to conduct multimodal analyses. By combining this imaging data with neuropsychological and biochemical markers, researchers hope to develop effective tools for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, at a stage where interventions are most likely to be effective.  

Risk and protection factors

Direction: Pierrette Gaudreau PhD, FCAHS

Understanding risk and protective factors in Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is now recognized as resulting from an imbalance between the accumulation of risk factors and the brain’s ability to regenerate and repair itself. While age remains the main predictor, many other elements, both aggravating and protective, play a role in the onset and progression of the disease.

Aggravating factors: comorbidities and cognitive decline

Certain comorbidities have been closely associated with accelerated cognitive decline and increased risk of dementia, including:

  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • High blood pressure
  • Strokes or mini-strokes
  • Chronic inflammatory conditions
  • Episodes of clinical depression

These conditions appear to exacerbate the underlying biological mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease, contributing to cognitive deterioration and symptom progression.

Protective factors: the importance of lifestyle habits

At the same time, a growing number of studies highlight that certain healthy lifestyle habits can have a protective effect on brain health, delaying or even preventing the onset of the disease. Among the protective factors identified are:

  • Regular physical activity, which improves blood circulation and brain plasticity
  • A balanced diet, particularly Mediterranean, rich in fruits, vegetables, fish and healthy oils
  • Social engagement, which stimulates interactions and reduces isolation
  • Education and lifelong learning, which strengthen cognitive reserve
  • Cognitive stimulation, through intellectual activities such as reading, puzzle games or learning new skills

A proactive approach to preserving brain health

These findings highlight the importance of taking a proactive approach to maintaining brain health. By acting on these modifiable factors, it is possible not only to slow cognitive decline, but also to improve the quality of life of people at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease

Clinical and population cohort/complete clinical assessment

Direction: Marie-Jeanne Kergoat MD, FRCPC

The CIMA-Q project is based on a longitudinal study, carried out over several years, involving approximately 421 participants aged 65 and over, distributed according to different stages of development of cognitive disorders. These participants include:

  • Cognitively healthy people
  • Individuals with subjective cognitive disorders
  • People with mild cognitive impairment
  • Patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s type dementia.

Recruitment of participants

Participants are recruited from different sources: The community Memory clinics across Quebec The NuAge cohort, a group of participants initially recruited in 2004-2005, well characterized and without cognitive disorders at the time of their inclusion, who were followed for several years.

 

Objectives and data collection

During clinical assessment, information from several health areas is collected, including:

  • Socio-demographic information
  • Comprehensive medical evaluation
  • Neuropsychology, neuropsychiatry
  • Self-perception of health
  • Blood test

These data will make it possible to identify early and relevant biomarkers for the detection and understanding of Alzheimer’s disease.

 

The contribution of the participants

Participants form the backbone of the CIMA-Q initiative. Their involvement is essential to advance research on memory and cognitive disorders. By participating in this study, they directly contribute to the advancement of knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease and play a crucial role in improving care and treatment for future generations, in Quebec and around the world.

Brain bank

Collaborateur: Naguib Meshawar PhD

The study of brain tissue: a key to understanding brain diseases

Brain tissue analysis plays a fundamental role in understanding mental and neurological disorders. By allowing researchers to access these samples, it becomes possible to discover the causes of brain diseases and develop effective treatments for pathologies such as Alzheimer’s disease. The main mission of the Douglas-Bell Brain Bank Canada is to provide the scientific community with superior quality brain samples, preserved in optimal conditions for research. With these samples, researchers can deepen their knowledge and work on solutions to treat, cure and prevent brain disorders and diseases.

A unique resource in Canada

Created in 1980, the Douglas-Bell Canada Brain Bank is the oldest brain bank in the country. It is also the only one to be fully operational, with more than 3,000 rigorously characterized specimens. This valuable resource provides invaluable support to researchers in their work on brain diseases.

A contribution to the CIMA-Q project

The Douglas-Bell Brain Bank Canada is proud to partner with the CIMA-Q project, thus strengthening the momentum of Alzheimer’s disease research in Quebec. This collaboration provides researchers with unique tools and resources, directly contributing to the advancement of knowledge and the improvement of care for people suffering from this disease.