The Translational Dementia Research Group led by Dr. Caitlin Finney is focused on developing a better understanding of the causes of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and how to best treat them using precision medicine strategies. They also extend their research to other age-associated neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Key Research Areas:
- Genetics: Exploring the biological mechanisms underlying the risk variant APOE4
- Diagnostics: Using machine learning to help improve Alzheimer’s diagnostics
- In Vitro Model Development: Developing better laboratory models using patient-derived stem cells to improve translatability of preclinical research
- Omics: Leveraging omics technologies and machine learning methods to identify biological mechanisms and treatment targets
Recent publications

Proteome profiling of cerebrospinal fluid using machine learning shows a unique protein signature associated with APOE4 genotype

Developing multifactorial dementia prediction models using clinical variables from cohorts in the US and Australia

Blood-based transcriptomic biomarkers are predictive of neurodegeneration rather than Alzheimer’s disease

Artificial intelligence-driven meta-analysis of brain gene expression identifies novel gene candidates and a role for mitochondria in Alzheimer’s disease

The neuroprotective effects of estrogen and estrogenic compounds in spinal cord injury
Group Members
NAME | ROLE |
Dr. Shannon Thomson | Postdoctoral Research Assistant |
Dr. Artur Shvetcov | Visiting Academic |
Ms. Isabella McEwan | Honours Student |
Ms. Amy Sligar | Undergraduate Intern |