Dr. Swardfager’s research focuses on cognitive and mood symptoms in later life and their midlife risk factors. On-going studies explore the neuroimmunological intersection between psychiatric and metabolic diseases as an avenue to discover biomarkers, elucidate vulnerability factors and implicate new treatments. Mechanisms by which cardiopulmonary fitness and exercise interventions counteract neurodegenerative processes are of particular interest.
Disease areas of focus include depression, Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and cerebrovascular disease, which often occur together with compounding consequences. Techniques used include genomics, neuroimaging, serum biomarkers and neuropsychiatric assessments. The lab also uses public health records to examine the impact of medications on long-term dementia risk and related health outcomes.
Education
- B.Sc., 2003, Honours Biochemistry, University of Waterloo, Canada
- M.Sc., 2006, Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Canada
- PhD, 2011, Clinical Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Canada
Appointments & Affiliations
- Scientist, Evaluative Clinical Sciences, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Associate Professor & Associate Chair, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto
Research Foci
- Alzheimer's disease
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Dementia
- Depression
- Type 2 diabetes
Affiliated Labs & Programs
In the News
- University of Toronto, Study identifies populations with modifiable risk factors for dementia
- University of Toronto, Class of Diabetes Drugs Cuts Dementia Risk in Older Adults
- Sunnybrook, Drug that lowers blood sugar prevents hospitalization and death in heart failure; when given early
- Sunnybrook, Does being on a path to diabetes affect your brain?