ADRC News

By Megan McCarthy Neuroimaging is changing the way clinicians study and treat dementia, and the University of Pennsylvania is now better positioned to train the next generation of researchers in this field. Corey McMillan, PhD, research director of the Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center and principle investigator (PI) of the BiND Lab, will be the program director of a newly funded T32 Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Training Program on Translational Neuroimaging in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD) to support five trainees. Alongside Dr. McMillan, co-directors and co-PIs include John Detre, MD, and Murray Grossman, MD, EdD. A two-year fellowship, this is Read More The post Pre-doc, post-doc neuroimaging training program funded appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Pre-doc, post-doc neuroimaging training program funded

Every year 19,000 older Philadelphians are financially exploited. In an effort to lower this number, the Penn Memory Center (PMC) joined the Philadelphia Financial Exploitation Task Force and shared valuable advice on how to protect you and your loved one’s wealth as you age. Hear from experts on the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from scams and to manage your money. Fast forward by clicking on the presentation titles below. “Elder Abuse” (5:31) Estevana Isaac, Clinical Fellow for Cognitive & Behavioral Psychology at Penn Medicine and the Penn Memory Center “Protecting Against Financial Exploitation” (13:14) James Read More The post Elder abuse awareness: Protect your money as you age appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Elder abuse awareness: Protect your money as you age

The Investigating MEAsures of SUrvival and REsidence among persons with Dementia (I-MEASURED) study seeks to better understand the experiences of persons living with dementia and those who care for them in order to improve the way we test new treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). I-MEASURED Investigating MEAsures of SUrvival and REsidence among persons with Dementia (I-MEASURED) is a study that seeks to better understand the experiences and priorities of persons living with dementia and those who care for them in order to improve the way we test new treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). I-MEASURED Read More The post Participants needed for study to improve the way Alzheimer’s treatments are tested appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Participants needed for study to improve the way Alzheimer’s treatments are tested

The human brain is efficient at storing and retrieving information but how this is accomplished is not well understood. As loss of knowledge can be a major problem in disorders of aging, it is important to understand the procedures underlying the storage and retrieval of knowledge so that we may learn ways to prevent the loss from occurring. In you are between the ages of 40 and 80, right-handed and have no history of neurologic problems, we invite you to participate in a study of this important question. The study involves a series of computerized and paper and pencil tests Read More The post Penn researcher looking for participants 40 to 80 years old to study memory appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Penn researcher looking for participants 40 to 80 years old to study memory

Collaborators at the Temple University Cognitive Neuropsychology Lab are recruiting participants age 65 and older to learn more about everyday functioning.  If you are age 65 or older, fluent in English, and have mild dementia or mild cognitive impairment, you may be eligible to participate. The study includes: – Playing a video game requiring you to prepare a breakfast and a lunch – Videotaping you preparing a breakfast and lunch with real objects – Testing of your thinking skills – Questionnaires about your everyday functioning and mood – Talking with someone who knows you well to complete a brief interview and questionnaires Read More The post Collaborators at Temple University looking for participants 65+ appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Collaborators at Temple University looking for participants 65+

Colleagues at the University of Missouri are conducting an online research study on how care partners of person living with dementia use technology. If you are interested in the study below, please click the link below. If you have any questions, call or email the study team using the contact information provided below. Purpose: To learn more about how caregivers to persons with dementia use technology Commitment: Participants will complete an online survey that will take about one hour in total Compensation: Individuals who complete the survey will receive a $20 prepaid Amazon gift card over email How to participate: Read More The post University of Missouri – Online Study is Seeking Caregivers appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading University of Missouri – Online Study is Seeking Caregivers

This summer, four talented researchers and physicians will join the Penn Memory Center (PMC) as Christopher M. Clark Scholars. In 2020, the scholars program was renamed after Christopher. M Clark, MD, who played a pivotal role establishing the PMC and acted as director for many years. Dr. Clark was a pioneer in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research, developing the Dementia Severity Rating Scale for dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) diagnoses. His research was instrumental in developing biomarkers and therapies for AD. Now, incoming Scholars carry on Dr. Clark’s legacy of trailblazing approaches to AD diagnostics and intervention. “I’m so very Read More The post Meet our 2022-2023 Christopher M. Clark Scholars appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Meet our 2022-2023 Christopher M. Clark Scholars

By Cait Kearney Penn Memory Center (PMC) researcher Shana Stites, PsyD, MA, MS, was elected Vice Chair of the Alzheimer’s Association ISTAART Diversity and Disparities Professional Interest Area (PIA). “I am honored and excited to be voted in as the PIA’s Vice Chair for the upcoming term,” said Dr. Stites. The Diversity and Disparities PIA is made up of 400 students and researchers from around the world. The group works to identify differences in diagnosis and intervention for people of diverse backgrounds who are living with Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease related dementias (AD/ADRD). Dr. Stites said a key part Read More The post Dr. Shana Stites elected Vice Chair of international research group appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Dr. Shana Stites elected Vice Chair of international research group

In a blunt rejection of current norms, two leaders of biomarker disclosure research argue research participants should have the opportunity to know whether they have biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease. Biomarkers, or biological indicators of a disease, are essential to the study and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other diseases that cause dementia. Clinicians use imaging such as MRI and PET scans to measure biomarkers and make accurate diagnoses. Blood tests are fast becoming available, and allow researchers to develop targeted drug therapies. In both clinical care and research, biomarker results are infrequently disclosed. Biomarker use is limited as insurers typically do Read More The post UCI MIND and UPENN Colleagues offer new guidance on biomarker disclosure appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading UCI MIND and UPENN Colleagues offer new guidance on biomarker disclosure

Alison Lynn, MSW, LCSW, has been promoted to Director of Social Work at the Penn Memory Center (PMC).   As director, Lynn will continue to support individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease related dementias (AD/ADRD) and their family unit throughout disease progression.  “We want patients and caregivers to feel as though they have a safety net beneath them of someone who believes in them and can provide the tools they need to start this new part of their life,” said Lynn.  The social work team at PMC has grown exponentially in the past few years and is working on providing Read More The post Alison Lynn promoted to Director of Social Work appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Alison Lynn promoted to Director of Social Work