Unveiling the Molecular Mystery: Brock University's Shakiru Alaka and the Quest for Dementia Prevention
A groundbreaking research project is underway at Brock University, led by PhD student Shakiru Alaka, who has been awarded the prestigious Heart & Stroke and Brain Canada 2025-26 Personnel Award for Black Scholars. Alaka's work delves into the intricate relationship between lifestyle factors and degenerative protein damage, shedding light on the hidden molecular drivers of dementia risk.
While it's well-known that high blood pressure, diabetes, and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to dementia, the precise molecular mechanisms linking these factors to the disease remain elusive. Alaka's research aims to bridge this gap by exploring the impact of protein damage on cellular processes within the brain.
The challenge lies in measuring real-time changes within living cells, especially in the brain, where protein damage occurs. Alaka's innovative approach involves utilizing artificial intelligence to analyze vast datasets from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, which includes biological samples, molecular profiling, physiological measurements, cognitive assessments, and demographic information.
By identifying patterns and connections between lifestyle factors and protein damage, Alaka hopes to uncover the underlying mechanisms that weaken cells, impair blood vessels, and trigger chronic inflammation. This inflammation can lead to reduced oxygen and nutrient supply to the brain, resulting in memory loss, increased stroke risk, and the development of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Alaka's research is particularly significant given his interest in stroke mechanisms, which led him to explore the link between strokes and dementia. With no cure currently available for dementia or Alzheimer's disease, his findings could be transformative. By identifying specific biomarkers, he envisions developing tools for early risk assessment, implementing preventive measures, and ultimately improving treatment outcomes.
Supervised by Professor Newman Sze, a renowned expert in health sciences, Alaka's work is gaining international recognition. Sze's leadership in an international research team, which included Alaka as the lead author, demonstrated the benefits of incorporating resting heart rate measures into dementia risk prediction models. This breakthrough study has the potential to enhance the accuracy of risk assessments across various racial groups.
The Personnel Awards for Black Scholars, initiated in 2023, have a noble mission: to advance heart and brain health science within Black communities by supporting Black post-graduate students' research. Alaka's achievement as the first recipient of this award is a testament to the importance of diversity and inclusion in scientific research, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of health disparities and paving the way for innovative solutions.
