About the Project
Catching Dementia Early: Why Accessible Cognitive Screening Is a Matter of Equity
As we get older, many of us notice subtle changes in our thinking, like forgetting a name or misplacing a set of keys. While our family doctors do an incredible job caring for us, a typical clinic visit is simply too short for lengthy cognitive testing, and traditional pen-and-paper memory screeners are not designed to detect the earliest, most subtle shifts in brain health. This means that a vital opportunity for early intervention and support can slip by unnoticed. To close this gap, my research project is testing a solution that bypasses the waiting room: a highly accurate digital screening tool designed to catch the very first signs of cognitive decline, completed entirely from the comfort of your own home.
In Canada, approximately one million individuals are projected to be living with dementia by 2031 (1). Dementia encompasses several different conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia, which each see changes in how we think and plan. Strikingly, nearly one in five Canadians over the age of 50 already meets the criteria for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) — a crucial early stage of cognitive decline where preventative measures could make a huge difference (2, 3). However, the limitations of traditional assessments create barriers for people with poor access to primary care, such as those living in rural communities, those with limited mobility, or anyone who can’t easily take time off work (4).
To bring brain health monitoring directly to the public, our lab built a new, 15-minute online screening tool using digital tasks that feel like brain games. By using machine learning (an advanced artificial intelligence) trained on thousands of performance patterns of individuals across the dementia continuum, this tool is designed to tell the difference between normal, healthy aging and the very earliest signs of cognitive decline. In preliminary testing with 28 participants, the screener was able to identify individuals with dementia with better accuracy than a commonly used cognitive test (the Mini-Mental State Exam).
The stakes of this work feel very real to me as dementia touches almost every family in Canada. The question of who gets screened, when, and how is not a neutral technical matter but a question of who gets access to early care, and who does not. Remote digital screening cannot solve systemic inequities on its own, but it is a meaningful step in the right direction.
There is still much we do not know about the dementia continuum, about the variability of MCI, and about the factors that protect some people and accelerate decline in others. But the better we can detect, and the earlier we can act, the better we can support our aging population. That possibility is what drives this project, and it is the reason I am proud to be a small part of it!
How can you help us make an impact?
Research is only as impactful as its participants, which is why we need your help. We are actively recruiting adults over the age of 50 from all walks of life and all cognitive stages:
• People with healthy cognition and no memory concerns
• Those who have noticed subtle changes in their own thinking
• Individuals with an official diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or any type of dementia
Because this study is completely remote, you can participate safely and comfortably from your own computer or tablet, anywhere in the world. We check in at baseline, six months, and twelve months to see how factors like education, physical health, and social connection shape brain health over time.
To demonstrate reciprocity throughout our research, every participant receives their cognitive scores as a meaningful snapshot of their participation. By taking part, you aren’t just joining a study; you are helping us build a more equitable, proactive future for dementia care that reaches people exactly where they are.
Interested in participating in this project or want to share our study with those who might be? You can find all the details and sign up through the Alzheimer’s Society Research Portal: https://alzheimer.ca/find-studies/research-study/identifying-early-cognitive-decline-across-dementia-continuum-using-remote-digital
Useful references:
(1) World Social Report 2023: Leaving No One Behind In An Ageing World. (2023, January 12). Retrieved June 6, 2026, from DESA Publications website: https://desapublications.un.org/publications/world-social-report-2023-leaving-no-one-behind-ageing-world
(2) Livingston, G., Huntley, J., Liu, K. Y., Costafreda, S. G., Selbæk, G., Alladi, S., … Mukadam, N. (2024). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. The Lancet, 404(10452), 572–628. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(24)01296-0
(3) Mekulu, K., Aqlan, F., & Yang, H. (2025). The mild cognitive impairment window for optimal Alzheimer’s disease intervention. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports, 9. https://doi.org/10.1177/25424823251370768
(4) Urian, D. M., Gupta, G., Battista, M. E., Wild, C. J., & Owen, A. M. (2026). Early cognitive screening for individuals on the dementia continuum: A novel approach amid current trends. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 110(4), 1547–1559. https://doi.org/10.1177/13872877261424289
About the Award Recipient
Emily Moore is an MSc Neuroscience candidate studying in Dr. Adrian Owen’s lab at Western University, where her research focuses on capturing cognitive changes in early stages of dementia through digital screening tools and assisting with her fellow graduates’ research using neuroimaging to study disorders of consciousness in intensive care. Emily was awarded the 2026 Research Impact Canada Engaged Scholarship Award for her commitment to knowledge mobilization and her community-first approach to bridging healthcare gaps. Prior to her graduate studies in Canada, she graduated with First Class Honours in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Sheffield, specializing in translational neuroscience and clinical genomics.
Emily has rich experience in science communication and mentorship initiatives that blend academic inquiry with community impact. She currently serves on Western’s Neuroscience Outreach Committee and demonstrates her dedication to public engagement through her writing for The Dorsal Column newsletter and the Health Science Inquiry Journal. Emily’s passion for breaking down complex research was shaped by her time at the University of Sheffield, writing for the Unique Charity for Rare Diseases with the Julia Garnham Centre and leading student mentorship programs with the outreach service. Continually inspired by the innovative researchers around her (and her family), Emily is deeply passionate about translating complex science into accessible knowledge, ensuring that research is brought out of the lab and into the community for everyone to enjoy and benefit from.