Research summary
More than a million Canadians suffer from dementia. This disease robs older adults of their precious memories and costs our economy over $10 billion a year. With no effective treatment available, these costs will only increase as our population ages.
To halt this epidemic, the first step is understanding how the healthy brain supports memory. Dr. Katherine Duncan, Canada Research Chair in Memory Modulation, is using an integrative approach to explore this connection. She and her research team are comparing the neuroscience of memory formation in mice and humans, then applying the resulting insights to better understand why our memories change as we age and to identify new techniques to enhance memory.