A decade-long study tracking 1,000 adults in British Columbia, Canada, is underway to pinpoint factors that protect the brain against age-related decline. The Brain Resilience Study, led by the Institute of Neurosciences and Neurotechnology (INN) at Simon Fraser University, aims to understand why some individuals maintain cognitive function while others experience deterioration.
Researchers are investigating a combination of genetic predispositions, social determinants, and lifestyle choices that contribute to what is known as “cognitive reserve” – the brain’s ability to function effectively despite biological changes associated with aging. The study, launched in 2026, seeks to facilitate early detection and personalized treatment strategies for dementia and other neurological conditions.
“Currently, it is almost impossible to predict who will remain healthy or who will suffer cognitive decline,” stated Brianne Kent, Associate Director of the INN, according to reporting by Infobae. The project’s comprehensive approach involves reconstructing individual profiles to identify patterns of resilience, rather than analyzing variables in isolation.
The Brain Resilience Study is recruiting participants from the British Columbia Generations Project, a pre-existing cohort of nearly 30,000 individuals. Participants will undergo dementia risk questionnaires, cognitive testing, sleep assessments, and genotyping. A subset of 100+ participants will receive high-resolution neuroimaging (MRI, MEG), while another 50+ will contribute circadian rhythm biomarkers. This data will be linked to existing sociodemographic, lifestyle, occupational, and residential information.
Researchers emphasize the importance of studying brain health within a broader context. Randy McIntosh, Director of the INN, noted that daily habits like diet, sleep, and exercise significantly impact brain health. The study will analyze how these factors influence the aging brain and potentially prevent dementia.
To manage and analyze the vast amount of data generated, the INN is utilizing Fir, a supercomputer at Simon Fraser University. This technology employs artificial intelligence algorithms to process large datasets quickly, enabling the development of a “virtual model of brain lifespan.” The AI’s precision allows for the fusion of diverse metrics into comprehensive simulations, anticipating scenarios and facilitating recommendations for healthy brain aging, according to the INN.
The growing prevalence of dementia in Canada underscores the urgency of this research. The Alzheimer Society of Canada estimates that 597,000 Canadians were living with dementia in 2020, a number projected to reach nearly one million by 2030, driven largely by an aging population.
A key principle of the Brain Resilience Study is open data sharing. All information generated by the INN will be made available to the global scientific community, accelerating advancements in brain health knowledge and care. This international access aims to foster new research and promote improved neurological care worldwide.
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