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Cognitive Impairment in Aging Strategy and Partnership

The Cognitive Impairment in Aging Partnership: Uniting forces to improve health

Cognitive impairment in aging (CIA), including Alzheimer disease and other types of dementia, affects one in four Canadians over the age of 65. The incidence of cognitive impairment rises dramatically to two out of three Canadians over the age of 85. With our aging population, the number of cases of cognitive impairment is expected to double in Canada over the next 30 years, reaching epidemic levels.

The effects of cognitive impairment are far-reaching. Those who suffer from cognitive impairment experience a decline in their quality of life. The emotional suffering of their families and loved ones is considerable, and the financial burden on the health care system is significant.

While the need for cognitive impairment research is great, there are not enough researchers, in training or experienced, to meet the growing demand. The CIA Partnership, established in 2002, addresses this need by bringing together organisations with a shared interest in finding solutions.

Participants in the CIA Partnership

CIA Partnership participants are made up of a growing list of leading organizations from the voluntary, public and private sectors that have expertise in the field of research on cognitive impairment.

National Research Strategy

To reduce the prevalence and impact of cognitive impairment, the participants of the CIA Partnership have developed a National Research Strategy on cognitive impairment that aims to:

• build research capacity by training and attracting new researchers
• make optimum and efficient use of available resources of CIA Partners
• co-ordinate research more effectively
• improve research infrastructure (teams, groups, centres, cohorts of subjects, neuro-imaging, brain banks, etc.)
• increase funding available through grants and awards to retain researchers
• implement initiatives to enhance the use of newly acquired knowledge through its translation into policy, practice, products and services

Scope of research

Research conducted as part of the CIA Partnership's National Research Strategy covers a broad range of topics, disciplines and issues related to cognitive impairment including Alzheimer disease and other dementia such as

• vascular dementia:
• biomolecular basis
• neuropsychological aspects
• social, psychological and lifestyle influences
• normal vs. abnormal changes in cognitive function
• diagnosis
• natural history and influence of age
• genetics and environment
• epidemiology
• treatment (pharmacological and non-pharmacological)
• preventive strategies
• caregiving
• health services
• rehabilitation
• ethics
• quality of life

Accomplishments

After a short time, the CIA Partnership already has notable accomplishments in creating new funding opportunities for research on cognitive impairment in aging:

• Doctoral Awards (Alzheimer Society of Canada and CIHR Institute of Aging)
• Young Investigator Grants (Alzheimer Society of Canada and CIHR Institute of Aging)
• Vascular Health and Dementia Operating Grants (Heart and Stroke Foundation, CIHR/Rx&D and Institute of Aging and Institute for Neurosciences and Mental Health and addiction, Pfizer Canada and Alzheimer Society of Canada)
• Caregiving and Alzheimer Disease Research Grants Program (Alzheimer Society of Canada, Canadian Nurses Foundation, CIHR Institute of Aging and CIHR Institute of Gender and Health)
• Biological Mechanisms and Treatment of Alzheimer Disease Grants Program (Alzheimer Society of Canada, Astra Zeneca Canada and AstraZeneca US/Sweden, and CIHR Institute of Aging)

CIA Partnership Participants

Voluntary/Charitable/Non-Profit Sectors
Alzheimer Society of Canada, NeuroScience Canada, Heart and Stroke Foundation ,The Consortium of Canadian Centres for Clinical Cognitive Research (C5R), Canadian Nurses Foundation

Public Sector
Health Canada, Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation, Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec, CIHR-IRSC

Private Sector
AstraZeneca Canada Inc., Janssen-Ortho Inc., Merck Frosst Canada Ltd., Novartis, Pfizer Canada Inc.

*The CIA Partnership is continually growing. For an updated list, or for more information on how to become a partner, please contact us.

For more information:
Please contact the CIHR Institute of Aging
Dr. Linda Mealing, Assistant Director, Partnerships
(613) 952-4537
lmealing@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

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Modified: 2005-03-02 Reviewed: 2005-03-02 Print Top of Page Important Notices