Changing Behaviour and Sustaining Change to Promote Brain Health in Aging
Aperçu du projet
This research is motivated by the Canadian Dementia Strategy priority and urgent need to “build the evidence base to inform and promote the adoption of effective interventions” for dementia prevention. Physical activity, diet, cognitive and social engagement are key modifiable behaviours that promote late-life brain health and reduce the risk of dementia. Despite this, over 80% of Canadians do not meet the recommended guidelines. Further, the brain mechanisms underlying successful health-related behaviour change are unknown, and this is a high priority for research. The current proposal addresses this knowledge gap by defining how and why older individuals are motivated to engage in lifestyle behaviour change in an everyday setting. The ultimate goal of this research is to promote brain resilience in at-risk individuals by identifying brain-based strategies to increase lifestyle engagement. Even small changes in modifiable lifestyle behaviours would build brain reserve and help to prevent or delay the onset of dementia. This would mean more years living free of disease in individuals at risk, a lower burden on front-line staff and better well-being for persons who are at risk and their families. To address this challenge, we need an understanding of how the brain generates healthier lifestyle choices and how motivation impacts adherence to lifestyle behaviors. To realize these goals, I will apply machine learning neuroimaging techniques to uncover the personalized brain fingerprint underlying motivated behaviour change. This new knowledge will help to identify new ways to optimize health behaviours among older individuals at risk of developing dementia and will help to develop the right intervention, for the right person at the right time.
Chef d'équipe
Maiya R. Geddes , McGill University
Partenaire et Donateurs
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)