Country's largest dementia prevention program to measure brain activity, physical activity

Dementia’s anticipated to reach nearly one million Canadians over the next 12 years and dementia prevention is becoming an increasingly urgent national health priority. UBC’s Faculty of Medicine is taking part in the country’s largest dementia research initiative that provides digital educational modules for older adults to improve their physical and mental health and modify their risk factors. The program focuses on areas that could reduce risk factors for dementia: exercise, nutrition, sleep, psychological and social health, cognitive engagement, heart health and vision and hearing. Program participants will be sent portable EEG headsets to measure brain activity during sleep and to track physical activity. The study will support 350 older adults across the country who have at least one risk factor for dementia, with the goal of seeing participants’ dementia risk reduced throughout the year-long study.