Research encompasses 3 areas of Neuroscience. Firstly, mechanisms and animal models of co-morbid conditions of the aging brain, including vascular risk factors and Alzheimer’s disease of the aging. Vascular cognitive impairment due to risk factors such as stroke, hypertension, atherosclerosis and diabetes combined with early stage Alzheimer’s disease leads to enhanced neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Dr. Cechetto has a CIHR Emerging Team grant to examine multiple aspects of this problem and determine potential therapeutic approaches. The second area of research is an investigation of the human brain using functional MRI to examine the neural correlates of mental stress and cardiovascular reactivity. The third research area involves an examination of the effect of novel agents to be used in the treatment of schizophrenia.

In addition to his research program, Dr. Cechetto has been working on capacity-building projects in development in Rwanda since 2000. He is currently the director of a project funded by the Canadian International Development Agency that involves capacity building in the nursing and medical schools in Rwanda and the development of continuing professional development in maternal, newborn and child health.