Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

The number of people living with dementia in Canada is growing rapidly. Previous research has shown that the risk of developing dementia is higher in South Asian populations and women, with factors such as diabetes and hypertension contributing to this elevated risk. South Asian populations are at higher risk for diabetes at a younger age compared to White populations. Women are at higher risk for diabetes-related cardiovascular events compared to men. While progress has been made in identifying such risk factors, prevention efforts have been limited to improving awareness of dementia in South Asian communities. Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists have emerged as effective drugs in managing diabetes and diabetes-related cardiovascular events, particularly in South Asian populations. A recent study has also shown an association between GLP-1 agonist use and reduction of dementia risk, making this the ideal candidate for dementia prevention in South Asian populations. My aims are twofold- 1) To explore the impact of GLP-1 agonist use on dementia risk in South Asian populations, and 2) To explore the impacts of sex and gender on GLP-1 agonist use and dementia risk. The proposed research will provide insight into the effectiveness of GLP-1 agonist use on dementia risk reduction in South Asian communities, which will be crucial to developing population-specific dementia interventions. This research will also provide insight into the intersectional impacts of ethnicity, sex, and gender on dementia risk and prevention, further contributing to the development of personalized medicine for at-risk groups.