Grant Award: $98,598
Principal Investigator: John A. E. Anderson, Ph.D.
Institution: Carleton University
Co-Investigators: Dr. Melanie Sekeres, Ph.D. University of Ottawa, Dr. Shanna Kousaie, Ph.D. University of Ottawa
Project Summary:
It is well established that both hearing loss and cognitive decline occur with advancing age. However, cognitive decline can be delayed, even in the presence of brain pathology, through a phenomenon referred to as cognitive reserve. Recent evidence suggests that hearing loss may deplete cognitive reserve. In fact, hearing loss has been determined to be the foremost modifiable factor in dementia prevention. This project aims to further understand the underlying neuronal architecture involved in cognitive decline and cognitive reserve in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) community. Long term, our findings will inform interventions that target brain health and ultimately improve the quality of life for adults living with hearing loss.
Currently, most research in this field focuses on large-scale brain changes (thickness and volume), whereas our work will explore changes at the neural level. We will collect advanced structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) along with cognitive assessments in adults with chronic age-related hearing loss or acute hearing loss induced by the ototoxic effects of chemotherapy. We will also assess factors known to contribute to cognitive reserve such as bilingualism, musicianship and engagement in extracurricular activities in adulthood.
The project will identify, for the first time, brain regions associated with cognitive reserve in various types of hearing loss. It will also determine how the type of hearing loss and cognitive reserve relate, and offer suggestions to mitigate the decline. Ultimately, this work will provide a framework to assess cognitive intervention in the D/HH community.