Publications
Neurology
| https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000210246
2025
Covert Vascular Brain Injury and Cognitive Dysfunction Among Chinese Adults Living in Canada and China
It is unclear whether variation in covert cerebrovascular disease prevalence is attributable to ethnic differences or to other factors. We aimed to examine the associations of country of residence with covert vascular brain injury (VBI) and cognitive dysfunction among Chinese adults residing in Canada and China.
PLOS ONE
| 10.1371/journal.pone.0309912
2024
Exposure to air pollutants and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis measured by magnetic resonance imaging: A cross-sectional analysis
This paper investigates the association between air pollution exposure, and early markers of carotid atherosclerosis within the Canadian Alliance for Healthy Hearts and Minds Cohort Study. Utilizing MRI to measure carotid vessel volume (CWV), the findings showed no direct association for PM₂.₅, but higher NO₂ was linked to reduced CWV and elevated O₃ to increased CWV. These findings suggest a complex relationship between air pollution and cardiovascular health warranting further research, to uncover underlying mechanisms.
JAMA Network Open
| 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.46324
2022
Evaluation of Adiposity and Cognitive Function in Adults
In this cross-sectional analysis of 9189 adults between 30 and 75 years of age who were free of cardiovascular disease from the Canadian Alliance for Healthy Hearts and Minds (CAHHM) and the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological–Mind (PURE-MIND) cohort studies, higher body fat percentage and visceral adipose tissue were associated with more cardiovascular risk factors, vascular brain injuries, and lower cognitive scores.
BMD Medical Ethics
| 10.1186/s12910-021-00706-3
2021
The Impact Of Reporting Magnetic Resonance Imaging Incidental Findings In The Canadian Alliance For Healthy Hearts And Minds Cohort
In the Canadian Alliance for Healthy Hearts and Minds (CAHHM) cohort, participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, heart, and abdomen, that generated incidental findings (IFs). The approach to managing these unexpected results remain a complex issue. Our objectives were to describe the CAHHM policy for the management of IFs, to understand the impact of disclosing IFs to healthy research participants, and to reflect on the ethical obligations of researchers in future MRI studies.
Neurology
| 10.1212/WNL.0000000000012765
2021
Effect of Cognitive Reserve on the Association of Vascular Brain Injury With Cognition: Analysis of the PURE and CAHHM Studies
To determine whether cognitive reserve attenuates the association of vascular brain injury with cognition.
THE JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
| 10.1210/CLINEM/DGAA815
2021
Diabetes, Brain Infarcts, Cognition, And Small Vessels In The Canadian Alliance For Healthy Hearts And Minds Study
Diabetes is a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease and cognitive impairment. The anatomical basis for this is uncertain.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL. CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING
| 10.1093/EHJCI/JEZ226
2020
Cardiovascular risk scoring and magnetic resonance imaging detected subclinical cerebrovascular disease
Cardiovascular risk factors are used for risk stratification in primary prevention. We sought to determine if simple cardiac risk scores are associated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detected subclinical cerebrovascular disease including carotid wall volume (CWV), carotid intraplaque haemorrhage (IPH), and silent brain infarction (SBI).
BMC PUBLIC HEALTH
| 10.1186/S12889-016-3310-8
2016
Rationale, Design, And Methods For Canadian Alliance For Healthy Hearts And Minds Cohort Study (CAHHM) - A Pan Canadian Cohort Study
The Canadian Alliance for Healthy Hearts and Minds (CAHHM) is a pan-Canadian, prospective, multi-ethnic cohort study being conducted in Canada. The overarching objective of the CAHHM is to understand the association of socio-environmental and contextual factors (such as societal structure, activity, nutrition, social and tobacco environments, and access to health services) with cardiovascular risk factors, subclinical vascular disease, and cardiovascular and other chronic disease outcomes.
