Participate in Research

Be a part of creating new knowledge and improving care

The Bruyère Research Institute conducts life changing research connected with Bruyère's clinical priorities that directly impacts and improves people’s health and care. We are transforming care each day thanks to the many people who choose to be a part of research.

You can be a part of life changing research too!

Over the years, thousands of people in the Bruyère community have participated in research studies conducted by the Research Institute. Being a part of research might mean participating in interviews or focus groups, testing new drugs or technologies, or simply staying connected with us through your or your loved one’s care journey.

Participation in research is voluntary, and the Bruyère Research Institute works to ensure all participants who choose to be a part of research feel safe, comfortable, and fully informed during the process.

The Bruyère Research Institute is recognized nationally as a source of relevant, practical, and leading-edge knowledge to improve our health care system – allowing patients to recover better, return to work earlier, and lead more productive lives. Your contribution to research is building better health care practices and treatment for all Canadians.

Open call to join our registry (including healthy older adults):

Anyone interested in being a part of research can contact the Clinical Trials Research Unit (CTRU) to join the Recruitment Registry. Many studies need to look at both people who are healthy and who are living with cognitive impairment.

Our registry helps to match potential participants with ongoing and upcoming studies being run at Bruyère.

How do I join?

Contact the CTRU and ask to be added to the Recruitment Registry. A member of our team will ask you a few questions to help determine which studies you may be eligible for. This information is kept in a secure file at Bruyère and can only be accessed by authorized CTRU staff to connect studies with prospective participants.

When a study becomes available that fits your responses, our recruitment team will reach out to see if you would like to participate. Whether you would like to participate in a study or not is up to you, and we only ever contact you for studies that match your profile!

Think this could be your contribution to research? Contact us:

Clinical Trials Research Unit
613-562-6328
ctu@bruyere.org

Studies currently recruiting:

Desires of informal carers of persons with dementia

Study Title:
Compassionate use of Smart home technology: Understanding the desires of informal carers of persons with dementia living in the community

Study Description:
The objective of the research project is to promote the compassionate use of smart home technology by understanding what informal carers of persons with dementia living in the community desire with respect to the selection and use of smart home technology. You’ll be asked to partake in a 40 minute interview exploring current experiences caring for your loved one with dementia and ways in which smart home technology could support your ability to provide care.

Eligibility Criteria:

Informal caretaker of a person with dementia
May live with the person with dementia, or apart
Able to communicate during an interview either in-person, on the phone or by videoconferencing

Recruitment Close Date:
December 23, 2022

Principal Investigator:
Lisa Sheehy, PhD

Contact:
Caroline Lasia, Research Assistant
Phone: 613-562-6262 ext. 1270
Email: clasia@bruyere.org

REB#:
M16-022-027. This study has been approved by the Bruyère Research Ethics Board.

The Role of Our Gut Bacteria in Alzheimer’s Disease

Study Title:

The Role of Our Gut Bacteria in Alzheimer’s Disease

Study Description:

There are over 1000 types of bacteria that live in our gut and help us to process foods and help in nutrient and vitamin uptake. Recently, it was discovered that there are disturbances in the gut bacteria of people who have Alzheimer’s disease. Laboratory tests can determine the number and type of gut bacteria from a stool sample.

This information will help to compare the gut bacteria in people living with memory problems such as Alzheimer’s disease to those who do not have memory problems. This research may help develop therapies to improve unhealthy gut bacteria which may be able to improve the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and/or slow its progression.

Eligibility Criteria:

Individuals age 50+ who:

Are not experiencing any memory problems; OR
Have Alzheimer’s disease

Are prepared to provide 2 stool samples, 3-6 months apart, and fill out questionnaires

Recruitment Close Date:

Principal Investigator:

Dr. Andrew Frank

Contact:

Clinical Trials Research Unit: 613-562-6328 or ctu@bruyere.org

REB#:

M16-19-039. This study has been approved by the Bruyère Research Ethics Board.

Novel Drug Study for Early Alzheimer’s Disease (Alector)

Study Title:

A Phase 2 Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of AL002 in Participant with Early Alzheimer’s Disease

Study Description:
This study’s purpose is to determine if the investigational drug AL002 is effective and safe in treating individuals who have mild Alzheimer’s disease when compared to placebo (non-active).

The investigational drug (AL002) aims to stimulate the body’s immune response to remove protein waste that is thought to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. Participants in the study will receive the investigational product (or placebo) intravenously once every 4 weeks.

Eligibility Criteria:

Aged between the years 50 to 85 years of age
Have a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment, Mild Dementia or Mild Alzheimer’s
Has someone who can be their study partner
Note: This list is not exhaustive. Please contact the Clinical Trials Research Unit to find out more.

Recruitment Close Date:

December 31, 2022

Principal Investigator:

Dr. Andrew Frank

Contact:

Clinical Trials Research Unit: 613-562-6328 or ctu@bruyere.org

REB#:

M16-21-015. This study has been approved by the Bruyère Research Ethics Board.

Assessing the Safety and Efficacy of a New Buccal Film in Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease

Study Title:
A randomized Phase IIa, multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess the safety, feasibility, tolerability, and efficacy of a new buccal film of montelukast in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease

Study Description:

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and it continues to grow worldwide as the population ages. Approved drug treatments have modest effects so there is a great need to develop long-term symptomatic improvement, with few side effects.

Montelukast buccal film is a thin edible film that is placed on the inside of the cheek, delivering medication as the film dissolves. It is currently marketed as Singulair®, an anti-inflammatory, for the treatment of asthma but research has suggested that Montelukast may play some role in lowering the chance of developing dementia later in life and might be able to improve learning, memory and overall cognitive functions. This study aims to formally test Montekulast as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

Eligibility Criteria:

Aged 50 years or older
Has a diagnosis of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease
Have a study partner accompany them throughout the study
Note: The eligibility criteria list is not exhaustive. Please contact the study team to find out the full eligibility criteria.

Recruitment Close Date:

December 31, 2022

Principal Investigator:
Dr. Andrew Frank

Contact:
Clinical Trials Research Unit: 613-562-6328 or ctu@bruyere.org

REB#:
M16-19-015. This study has been approved by the Bruyère Research Ethics Board.

Do you have questions or concerns?

The Bruyère Research Institute is committed to ensuring that participation in research is appropriately monitored. Visit our Bruyère Research Ethics Board webpage to learn more about how we ensure studies are ethical and safe.

Learn more about the research happening at Bruyère through our News and Stories.