ADRC News

By Meghan McCarthy The importance of biomarkers in the diagnosis and clinical evaluation of Alzheimer’s and related dementias (ADRDs) is growing. Yet, there is no standardized method for disclosing biomarker test results to patients.   In the past, clinicians may have hesitated to disclose a diagnosis of dementia to protect the patient from emotional burden or “existential dread.” However, studies indicate that many patients want to be fully informed.  University of Pennsylvania researchers outlined the essentials for clinicians disclosing biomarker results for patients with ADRDs in a recent paper in Neurology.  “Biomarkers have transformed our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and are Read More The post How should patients learn Alzheimer’s test results?  appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading How should patients learn Alzheimer’s test results? 

By Cait Kearney After a three-year hiatus, the Penn Memory Center (PMC) Research Participant Thank You Luncheon was held in May to recognize the dedication and efforts of PMC research participants and their study partners.   “Without you all, we wouldn’t be here today,” PMC Co-Director Jason Karlawish, MD, told the audience in his opening remarks. “All of you should feel like this is a celebration of the work you did because being in research is work.”  Over 200 people attended the event, held at the Sheraton Hotel in University City.   “We left feeling hopeful, knowledgeable, and well taken care Read More The post PMC luncheon celebrates dedicated research participants and study partners appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading PMC luncheon celebrates dedicated research participants and study partners

University of Pennsylvania researcher Les Shaw, PhD, received a doctor of humane letters, an honorary degree, from his alma mater Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY, this past weekend. In his acceptance speech, Dr. Shaw spoke about the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) and the importance of diversity in research. “I’m very happy to say, in the spirit of the Ignatian principle of service to others, that a hallmark part of that study now is to address underserved minorities,” Dr. Shaw said. Dr. Shaw is a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine. He has been a pioneer in therapeutic drug monitoring, establishing the toxicology and therapeutic drug Read More The post UPenn Alzheimer’s researcher awarded honorary degree appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading UPenn Alzheimer’s researcher awarded honorary degree

Penn Memory Center (PMC) Co-Director Jason Karlawish, MD, delivered the 2023 Renée C. Fox Lecture in Medicine, Culture, & Society. In his talk, Dr. Karlawish explored the difference between the physical brain, able to be seen and measured, and the extension of self known as the mind in persons living with dementia. The post A Mind in Splints: What it is like to be a person living with dementia appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading A Mind in Splints: What it is like to be a person living with dementia

Dear PMC Care Partners, Do you remember the day you and your loved one learned about a dementia diagnosis? Whether the diagnosis the doctor delivered was mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, or another cognitive impairment, it’s always described as a scary moment for both the patient and the care partner. As executive director of the Penn Memory Center (PMC), I have a background in social work that helped me develop, deliver and grow the robust support system we have been providing to families in our care since 2008. From counseling and coaching to classes for caregivers, support Read More The post Caring Collective Mentor Panel appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Caring Collective Mentor Panel

By Cait Kearney  Penn Memory Center (PMC) neurologist Roy Hamilton, MD, MS, was awarded the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Changemaker Award for his “tremendous dedication” to diversity, equity, and inclusion.   “Winning the AAN Changemaker Award is one of the highlights of my career as a neurologist and as a diversity advocate,” said Dr. Hamilton.  Dr. Hamilton co-directs PMC’s Summer Training in Aging Research (STAR) program — an academic opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in aging research of underrepresented groups.   Additionally, Dr. Hamilton is the vice chair of diversity and inclusion of the University of Read More The post PMC clinician Dr. Roy Hamilton earns Changemaker Award for his dedication to diversity efforts appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading PMC clinician Dr. Roy Hamilton earns Changemaker Award for his dedication to diversity efforts

By Caitlin Kearney The investigational drug donanemab was found to slow cognitive decline in people living with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, Eli Lilly announced this morning. In the TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 study of 1,700 participants, including at the Penn Memory Center, donanemab slowed cognitive decline by 35 percent in people who received the drug compared to those taking a placebo. “This is the first Phase 3 trial of any investigational medicine for Alzheimer’s disease to deliver 35 percent slowing of clinical and functional decline,” said Daniel Skovronsky, MD, PhD, Eli Lilly’s chief scientific and medical officer. Donanemab carries the risk of brain bleeding Read More The post Positive donanemab study results may be ‘inflection point for the field’ appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Positive donanemab study results may be ‘inflection point for the field’

The Penn Memory Center (PMC) is thrilled to announce that former social work intern, Rachel Marx, has accepted a position as the PMC’s very first Social Work Fellow. Marx will be training under PMC’s director of social work, Alison Lynn, MSW, LCSW, to gain advanced and specialized skills in providing brief treatment psychotherapy (6-8 weeks in duration) to people living with dementia and their family caregivers. Marx’s services will be provided free of charge to PMC patients and their family members in order to ensure that anyone who needs supportive therapy can access it regardless of financial means or insurance coverage. Read More The post Rachel Marx named PMC’s first Social Work Fellow appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Rachel Marx named PMC’s first Social Work Fellow

Por Meghan McCarthy y traducido por Jessica Moreno, Valerie Ramos y Camila Loaiza Read in English Las comunidades latinas de adultos mayores son algunas de las más sedentarias del condado, pero una investigadora de la Universidad de Pensilvania ha demostrado que las clases de educación en bienestar y la actividad física en grupo pueden ayudar a mejorar los resultados de la salud. Estos mejoramientos universales podrían conducir a una mejor salud cognitiva. “Para mí, se trata de la memoria”, dijo Adriana Pérez, PhD, ANP-BC, FAAN, de la facultad de enfermería de Penn. “El cerebro es capaz de aprender cosas nuevas Read More The post La facultad de Penn promueve el ejercicio para para un envejecimiento cerebral saludable en la comunidad latina appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading La facultad de Penn promueve el ejercicio para para un envejecimiento cerebral saludable en la comunidad latina

By Meghan McCarthy  Leer en español Latino older adult communities are some of the most sedentary in the country, but one University of Pennsylvania researcher has shown that group fitness and wellness education classes can help improve universal health outcomes. These universal improvements could lead to improved cognitive health.  “To me, it speaks to memory,” said Adriana Perez, PhD, ANP-BC, FAAN, of Penn’s School of Nursing. “The brain is capable of learning new things no matter what age.”  The CDC reports that 32.1% of older Latinos live an inactive lifestyle outside of work—the highest amongst all race/ethnicity groups.  This is Read More The post Penn faculty promotes exercise for healthy brain aging in the Latino community appeared first on Penn Memory Center. Continue reading Penn faculty promotes exercise for healthy brain aging in the Latino community