CLEAR Alzheimers

04/21/2026

The future of dementia is not written yet.

Today, nearly 1 million Canadians are living with dementia. That number is rising fast. But so is the pace of discovery.

Every breakthrough starts with research.
Every advancement starts with support.

At CLEAR, 100% of public donations go directly to funding high impact dementia research in Canada. No overhead. Just progress.

There is still time to change what the future looks like.

Donate today. Link in bio.

04/07/2026

A potential Frontotemporal dementia treatment.

CLEAR-funded scientist Dr. Terrance Snutch is currently working on a new drug treatment for FTD.

FTD is a neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive damage to the brain's frontal and temporal lobes.

04/05/2026

The critical state of dementia in Canada.

Unless we act fast, the projections for people living with dementia in our country will rise significantly in the next 25 years.

Help fund leading-edge research today.

04/02/2026

Why reducing dementia stigma could improve outcomes for millions.

A new report is calling attention to a critical challenge in Canada’s response to dementia: public awareness and stigma.

Researchers from the National Institute of Ageing have released a report examining current trends, challenges, and opportunities to improve how Canadians understand dementia.

The findings highlight several key issues:

• Dementia stigma remains widespread and can prevent people from seeking diagnosis and support.

• Public awareness of dementia risk factors and prevention remains limited.

• Earlier detection and education could significantly improve outcomes for individuals and families.

With Canada’s aging population, the number of people living with dementia is expected to continue rising, making education, risk reduction, and stigma reduction essential parts of the national response.

Read the report: https://niageing.ca/reports/addressing-dementia-in-canada-current-trends-challenges-and-opportunities-in-improving-public-awareness-reducing-the-risk-and-challenging-stigma-related-to-dementia/

Already, 74% of Canadian adults know someone who has or had dementia—highlighting its widespread impact. Approximately 500,000 older adults were diagnosed in 2023/24, and close to 772,000 Canadians may be living with dementia in 2025. With an ageing population, that number could reach 1.7 million ...

03/24/2026

Ontario government unveils next steps to enhance dementia care.

In a recent announcement, The Ontario Ministry of Health outlined new steps to strengthen dementia care in long term care homes through the Improving Dementia Care Program, a $9 million investment over three years.

The initiative will launch in 17 long term care homes, with plans to expand to nearly 50 homes by 2027 to 2028. The program focuses on person centred dementia care, specialized staff training, and expanded Behavioural Specialized Units to support residents with complex needs.

Today, more than 60% of long term care residents live with dementia, highlighting the growing need for stronger care systems and supports for patients, families, and caregivers.

Encouraging to see continued focus on dementia care from organizations such as the Alzheimer Society of Ontario and the Alzheimer Society of Canada, which have long emphasized this as a critical priority.

Read the article:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/barrie/video/2026/03/06/ontario-government-unveiled-next-steps-to-enhance-dementia-care/

03/17/2026

Early-onset dementia can affect people in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.

Many people believe dementia only affects older adults.

But that’s a myth.

Early-onset dementia refers to a diagnosis in individuals under the age of 65, and it can affect people in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.

While the risk of dementia does increase with age, it is not a normal part of aging, and it is not always hereditary.

For individuals living with early-onset dementia, symptoms may include:

• Memory loss

• Personality or behavioural changes

• Difficulty with communication or decision-making

Because these diagnoses often occur during working years, they can significantly impact careers, families, and young children.

Raising awareness about early-onset dementia is essential to improving diagnosis, support systems, and research progress.

Learn more: www.clearalzheimers.ca

03/12/2026

Dementia in Canada is rising.

These statistics illustrate the projected reality of memory loss diesase in our country.

Advancing research to better understand, treat and ultimately cure this devestating disease has never been more critical.

03/09/2026

Will Canada publicly fund the new Alzheimer's drug, Lecanemab?

The recently approved Alzheimer's drug Lecanemab is currently being evaluated by the Canadian Drug Agency to determine whether it should be publicly funded in Canada.

Lecanemab works differently from many existing Alzheimer’s medications.

Rather than treating symptoms alone, it targets amyloid plaques (abnormal protein buildups in the brain), which are believed to play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Clinical trials found the drug was able to slow cognitive decline by about 27% in patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.

However, Lecanemab will require careful safety monitoring, as it can cause amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) that involve brain swelling or bleeding and require regular MRI scans.

Experts say the decision surrounding Lecanemab highlights a broader shift in Alzheimer’s research and treatment.

Read the full CBC article here:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/lecanemab-canada-drug-agency-9.7098356

Public drug plans should not cover lecanemab, a drug to slow early-stage Alzheimer's disease, Canada's Drug Agency says in its draft recommendation.

01/30/2026

Frontotemporal dementia: where treatments are now and where they’re headed.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) remains one of the most challenging forms of neurodegenerative disease because there are currently no FDA-approved drugs that slow its progression, yet clinicians and researchers continue to expand the toolbox for symptom management.

However, medications that are approved for other conditions (such as certain antidepressants or Parkinson’s drugs) may be used off-label to address behavioural and movement-related symptoms, while non-drug interventions like occupational, speech, and physiotherapy remain foundational in care.

FTD’s clinical spectrum affects personality, language, and movement in ways that differ from Alzheimer’s, underscoring why targeted therapies are needed. Spichak’s article highlights promising drug candidates in development that aim to address both genetic and non-genetic forms of FTD, signaling a future where disease-modifying therapies could complement supportive care.

This evolving landscape illustrates how multidisciplinary management (combining symptom relief, clinical support, and a robust pipeline of investigational therapies) remains essential for advancing the quality of life for people with FTD.

https://beingpatient.com/frontotemporal-dementia-treatments/

There are no FDA-approved drugs to slow FTD, but medications for depression, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s can help ease symptoms.

01/22/2026

Incorporating environmental design into dementia research.

Researcher Dr. Janissa Altona, is advancing how we think about dementia beyond clinical settings by exploring how the built environment shapes the lives of people living with dementia. At Simon Fraser University, she is collaborating with Dr. Habib Chaudhury on the project, where her research examines walkability, green spaces, access to social places, and their influence on social health.

Altona’s work challenges the assumption that dementia can only be addressed medically. She argues that supportive neighbourhoods (both physical and social) can reduce social isolation and improve daily life for people with dementia. Her research aims to develop new methods for measuring dementia-friendly environmental features and translate those insights into urban planning practice.

This perspective underscores how interdisciplinary collaboration across public health, nursing, and urban design can broaden our approach to dementia research. By considering environmental determinants of brain health, we gain new opportunities for dementia-inclusive communities that support quality of life beyond the clinic.

Read More: https://www.sfu.ca/gerontology/news-events/students/janissa-altona.html

Learn more about visiting researcher Janissa Altona's work in dementia research and her collaboration with Dr. Habib Chaudhury on the DemSCAPE project.

01/19/2026

Could vaccines offer unexpected protection against dementia?

Emerging evidence suggests that some common vaccines may offer broader benefits than previously understood.

Recent reporting highlights large-scale observational studies indicating that older adults who received vaccines such as the shingles vaccine showed lower rates of dementia and cardiovascular events compared to those who did not. While the findings do not yet prove causation, they raise important questions about how immune system activity and inflammation intersect with brain and heart health.

These insights reinforce the growing understanding that dementia is influenced by multiple biological systems, not just the brain alone. As science continue to explore these connections, prevention strategies may increasingly span public health, cardiovascular care, and neurology.

Source: The New York Times

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/health/vaccines-dementia-heart-elderly.html

Many shots seem to have “off-target” benefits, such as lowering the risk of dementia, studies have found.