Natalie Marchant

"The body is a vessel for transformation of not only our various foods through the digestion process, but also our life experiences and emotional responses."                                                                                                                                    - Dr Pema Dorjee

My research follows two broad themes:

1.  Does the interaction of genetics and lifestyle, specifically ‘cognitive-emotional’ style, increase vulnerability to Alzheimer’s disease?  How might behavioural interventions impact these changes?

I integrate findings across multiple disciplines to explore how certain cognitive-emotional styles together with a known genetic risk (e4 variant of the APOE gene) may increase vulnerability to clinical AD.

I explore how non-pharmacologic (eg focused-breathing, mindfulness) interventions may alter cognitive function.

2. Can alternative medical therapies improve well-being of individuals affected by dementia?

Neuropsychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety and agitation are common, occurring in up to 85% of individuals in early AD.  There has been increased interest in non-pharmacologic therapeutic interventions, and I am currently exploring the feasibility of certain complimentary and alternative medical practices for individuals with dementia.