Research summary
For the first time in history, older people outnumber the young in Canada. As a result, a growing number of Canadians are affected by dementia—a debilitating disorder that causes severe memory loss with no cure.
As Canada Research Chair in Brain Health and Aging, Dr. Jennifer Heisz is examining how exercise can improve memory. She and her research team are trying to determine how the temporary changes in the brain that result from even a single workout can become permanent with regular exercise, and whether they can be enhanced with brain-training games that target memory. Ultimately, their research will inform evidence-based guidelines for exercise to older Canadians stay healthier for longer.