• Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a brain disorder that some people develop as they age. It affects memory and thinking. A protein called ApoE is important in managing fats in the body and supporting brain health. An abnormal variant of APOE4, increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, but scientists don’t know why.
• Research shows that mice without ApoE or with human APOE4, and humans with APOE4, have similar problems with fat metabolism, memory, and brain health. Since the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, connects directly to the brain, studying it can provide important clues about how Alzheimer’s affects the brain.
• We will analyze brain, retina, and tear samples from mice without ApoE and those with human APOE4 to look for cell-level changes linked to inflammation, harmful protein buildup, and nerve damage. Tear samples from AD patients with and without APOE4 will also be studied. Results will be shared through workshops, scientific papers, and policy briefs.
• Our goal is to identify early warning signs of AD and understand how ApoE contributes to brain and eye damage. The findings may lead to simple, risk-free tear tests for early AD detection and inspire new treatments targeting ApoE pathways.
Research Location: University of British Columbia – Vancouver Campus
Advancing the Health of Victim-Survivors of Sexual Assault: The Role of the Forensic Medical Examination
Sexual assault (SA) is traumatic and causes devastating health impacts such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, reproductive health issues, and chronic pain. Victim-survivors can opt to attend a post-assault Forensic Medical Exam (FME) which includes emotional support, a health assessment, and the collection of evidence to build a criminal case. The evidence might be photographs of genital injuries, blood samples, or swabs for semen. FMEs address immediate physical health needs (e.g., via STI treatment) and can feel validating for patients, but they can also be traumatic due to their invasive nature and negative reactions from nurses. They can add to the trauma already experienced and worsen the health impacts of SA. Given the lack of research in this area, this project will explore FME experiences to understand how they can be less traumatizing so that negative health impacts are reduced. First, a review of existing research will be conducted. Then both patients and nurses will be interviewed. Prior research has focused on professionals’ views, but in this study, we will hear the other side of the story. Findings could inform FME practice and will be shared with stakeholders via briefing documents and workshops.
Urban environments to support healthy cognitive aging
Cognitive functioning impacts older adults’ wellbeing, quality of life, and ability to live independently. As the proportion of people over 65 increases, and urban populations grow, it is important to ensure that everyday environments support healthy cognitive aging. Urban environmental factors are known to influence cognitive health or decline, but practical tools to assess neighborhood environmental supportiveness for brain health are lacking.
This project will develop an index of environmental factors that support healthy cognitive aging, for ages 65+. From frameworks for healthy aging, expert consultation, and location-based environmental measures, an index will be developed and mapped across Canadian and US cities. Links between index scores at participant home locations and measures of cognitive function will be examined, using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging, and Health and Retirement Study.
This research will advance knowledge of urban exposures and cognitive functioning in later life. The index will allow assessment of everyday local exposures linked to cognitive aging and enable evaluation of equitable access to urban environments that support healthy cognition.
Early detection and diagnosis of cerebral palsy: Implementing best practice guidelines in BC
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability in Canadian children. Current guidelines and assessments allow for diagnosis as early as four months. Early therapy can maximize a child’s abilities and prevent health complications. In the first two years of life, the brain is most able to reorganize and grow new pathways. Yet, the average age of diagnosis in BC is nearly 25 months. Parents feel stress and anxiety while waiting. A diagnosis helps families to understand what CP is, access therapies and plan for the future. Our survey showed many doctors lack the knowledge, skills, and confidence to diagnose early, and an understanding of families’ lived experience. Our strategy for change includes education, training, and sharing parents’ experiences. We will use online learning, resources, and interactive online and in-person workshops. Our aim is to support doctors to assess for and diagnose CP early, and help families through the diagnosis and next steps. We will measure doctors’ change in knowledge, skills, confidence, and diagnosing behaviours. Interviews will determine how well they liked the strategy. Then we will share our learnings with health care leaders, doctors and families to promote ongoing change.