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$530,000 grant to find Canadians’ most important risk factors for dementia


March 30, 2016



Drs. Doug Manuel and Peter Tanuseputro have been awarded a $530,000 grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to build models that will predict dementia incidence and the future burden of the disease on the Canadian population. While previous studies have shown that factors like exercise, social activities and diet can reduce the risk of dementia, Drs. Manuel and Tanuseputro want to identify which of these modifiable factors are the most important in Canada. Their team will also look at which risk factors influence patient transitions, from diagnosis to need for home care, to institutionalization in nursing homes to death. The models will be used to shape future dementia policies, including the upcoming Ontario Dementia Strategy. As well, the team hopes to host the models for individual and clinical use at their projectbiglife.ca website. This CIHR grant is one of 22 recently awarded to researchers at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.

Co-authors: Sattler, Deborah; Anderson, Geoffrey M; Bronskill, Susan E; Sanmartin, Claudia; Seow, Hsien-Yeang, Hsu, Amy; Fisher, Stacey.

About The Ottawa Hospital


The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada’s largest learning and research hospitals with over 1,100 beds, approximately 12,000 staff and an annual budget of over $1.2 billion. Our focus on research and learning helps us develop new and innovative ways to treat patients and improve care. As a multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, we deliver specialized care to the Eastern Ontario region, but our techniques and research discoveries are adopted around the world. We engage the community at all levels to support our vision for better patient care.

About the University of Ottawa


The University of Ottawa is home to over 50,000 students, faculty and staff, who live, work and study in both French and English. Our campus is a crossroads of cultures and ideas, where bold minds come together to inspire game-changing ideas. We are one of Canada’s top 10 research universities—our professors and researchers explore new approaches to today’s challenges. One of a handful of Canadian universities ranked among the top 200 in the world, we attract exceptional thinkers and welcome diverse perspectives from across the globe. www.uottawa.ca

For further information, please contact


Amelia Buchanan
Senior Communication Specialist
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Office: 613-798-5555 x 73687
Cell: 613-297-8315
ambuchanan@ohri.ca