REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a disorder where a person "acts out their dreams" while sleeping. RBD is often associated with developing diseases like Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. The purpose of this study is to carefully follow people with RBD over time in order to find new ways of predicting who is at risk of developing Parkinson's disease or dementia. This is vital in order to find a way to stop these diseases from occuring

This study is testing a drug called bitopertin to see if it can help people with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) or X-linked protoporphyria (XLP) spend more time in sunlight without skin pain or burning. These rare conditions cause a substance called protoporphyrin IX to build up in the blood, which can lead to painful skin reactions to sunlight and whcih may affect the liver. Bitopertin may lower this substance in the body. Participants will receive either bitopertin or a placebo (a look-alike pill with no active medicine) to compare results. The study will also look at how participants feel on the treatment and how well they tolerate any side effects.

This study aims to assess the diet quality of people of South Asian descent living with Inflammatory Bowel disease (IBD) in Edmonton, Alberta. We are interested in understanding the diet quality of South Asians in Alberta and tailor the nutrition resources based on our findings. We aim to develop culturally adapted nutrition education materials. To do so, we are conducting interviews with South Asians living with IBD in Alberta to help us improve the existing nutrition handouts and make them more culturally oriented with information on traditional foods. This study invites South Asians in Alberta to contribute to the development of useful and relevant nutrition information resources.

Patients and continuing care residents living in rural Alberta travel long distances for rehabilitation services. Sometimes they just cope with loss of function and pain. During the COVID-19 epidemic continuing care residents have been unable to attend rehabilitation assessments unless their condition is urgent. This project uses technology to help link these patients with urban experts. This way they can be treated remotely. Five assessments been chosen for this project. They are: • Finding the cause of shoulder pain • Hip and knee arthritis • Muscle and Joint Functional Assessment • Dizziness, falling risk and balance assessment • Wheelchair special seating assessment

The hallmark symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension are shortness of breath and exercise intolerance. Current clinical drug therapies target relaxing the blood vessels in the lungs (pulmonary arteries), as shortness of breath and exercise intolerance may be a result of impaired lung blood vessel function. We are conducting a study to better understand how the lung blood vessels may contribute to shortness of breath and exercise intolerance in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most common cause of intellectual disability. Some people with FXS have increased hunger, obesity, or delayed puberty. A diabetes medication, metformin, has been shown to improve obesity and increased hunger with little side effects/discomfort. In this study, participants will randomly receive either metformin or placebo (looks the same as metformin, but doesn't have active drug) to assess safety and benefits of metformin in areas of language, brain function, eating, behavior, etc. We will assess usefulness of measures of brain/body function and markers in the body that can predict if someone will benefit from metformin. There is also an optional 2-year extension where all participants will receive metformin.

The purpose of the survey is to learn more about the health of Black people, and especially about: 1. HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) 2. why some people may be at risk of these infections 3. what can help protect people from getting them We’ll use the data to improve services for Black people and promote their health and wellbeing.

Adult Idiopathic Scoliosis is a common spinal deformity. Prior research showed that scoliosis-specific exercises can improve pain, quality of life, and disability but, Schroth exercises have not been tested in adults. This pilot study aims to: 1) Determine the recruitment rate; 2) Demonstrate the feasibility; and 3) Estimate the effect for all outcomes. Participants randomised to Schroth treatment will receive 5 one on one and 9 group exercise sessions over 3 months. Controls will receive the current treatment standard. We will assess changes in posture, back extensor endurance, function, pain, and quality of life. 3D Ultrasound imaging of the spine will help measure curve angles, and vertebra rotation.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether substance use at three Virtual Overdose Monitoring Services (VOMS) (NORS, DORS, BRAVE) that are currently operational in Alberta are associated with a change in all-cause mortality and service utilization rates among adults who are actively using substances over a two-year follow-up period.

Porphyrias are a group of rare disorders caused by dysfunction in heme synthesis. This dysfunction causes a build-up of molecules called porphyrins or their precursors leading to serious consequences. The rarity of porphyrias means patient perspectives are lacking. Our investigation seeks to remedy this by having porphyria patients fill out questionnaires. Genetic testing will also be conducted to identify risk factors in porphyria incidence/severity. To supplement, we will be drawing on data from the International Porphyria Network (IPNet) to corroborate our findings. Our findings combined with IPNet data will lead to more comprehensive porphyria treatment/management plans and uncover risk factors in porphyria incidence/severity.