Diet and the microbiome in Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder with increasing worldwide prevalence. A number of genetic and environmental factors are thought to contribute to the etiology and progression of Parkinson’s disease. A common condition experienced by people with Parkinson’s disease is gastrointestinal problems, including constipation. There are also known changes to the microbiota (bacteria) in the […]
The impact of sleep apnea and insomnia on epigenetic age acceleration
Reduced quality and quantity of sleep, which can occur in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia, may cause premature aging. This is believed to occur through inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways. By analyzing a large cohort of patients from the sleep clinic, the Ayas and Kobor Labs are investigating whether the severity of obstructive […]
Investigating epigenetic associations in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) is a large, national, long-term study that is following approximately 50,000 individuals, who were between the ages of 45 and 85 when recruited, for at least 20 years. The CLSA aims to understand how changing biological, medical, psychological, social, lifestyle and economic aspects of people’s lives impact health […]
Health inequities, socioeconomic status and impact on multiple sclerosis outcomes
The relationship between socioeconomic status and death in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is not entirely understood. Previous studies have shown that economic disparities have been associated with acquiring disability and possibly with the rate of MS. In a large study of people with MS living in British Columbia, Canada, the Tremlett Laboratory is investigating the […]
The multiple sclerosis prodrome
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease in which genetic and environmental factors contribute to disease development. Research in the Tremlett Laboratory is investigating the MS prodrome. A prodrome is an early, often nonspecific, set of signs and/or symptoms indicating onset of a disease. These have been shown to occur five to ten […]
Multiple social tie transitions and their impact on cardiometabolic risk factors in aging women and men (MORE)
Social connectedness is important for promoting healthy aging among Canadians. However, there is very little research examining whether and how changes in different social ties influence the biological indicators of aging, or how their effects vary for women and men. This CIHR-funded project allows Dr. Conklin’s lab to examine how multiple social ties increase hypertension […]
Biological mechanisms associated with increased longevity in the World’s blue zones
Blue Zones are regions of the world where people on average live longer and remain healthier in old age compared to other regions. The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica is one such region. The biological mechanisms leading to this increased longevity are not well understood. In collaboration with researchers from Stanford University, the Kobor Lab […]
Environmental and genetic mechanisms underpinning Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder with increasing worldwide prevalence. Although a number of genes and environmental factors influencing Parkinson’s disease susceptibility have been identified, the mechanisms underpinning their joint contributions to disease pathogenesis are not fully understood. Research in the Kobor lab is investigating the role of DNA methylation, an epigenetic mark which […]