REDUCE SUFFERING AND MAXIMIZE HUMAN POTENTIAL THROUGH BETTER BRAIN HEALTH FOR ALL
MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP
Dear McCance community,

This issue of our newsletter focuses on some of the latest results from high-risk high-reward research sponsored by the McCance Center, both through our SPARC awards and sustained funding. We are deeply grateful to the many generous donors who play a critical role in making this funding possible.
 
You'll also read about research launched since 2020 on one of the most critical topics today -- the neurological complications from "long-COVID." Even as we begin to put the worst of the pandemic in the rear-view mirror, we know first-hand that many people are still suffering from what's commonly called "brain fog." In March 2020 the McCance Center stood up what has become a Boston-wide consortium that gathers weekly to curate the latest data on the impact of SARS-Cov-2 on the nervous system, and share the most recent clinical observations from the front lines. Multiple teams across the McCance Center are leading and participating in national and international research collaborations to develop and test interventions that can restore brain health to the estimated 225,000 individuals in Massachusetts alone with nervous system dysfunction from “long-COVID.” 

Finally, we were very proud to recognize a the long history of pioneering women in neuroscience for Women's History Month, beginning with the women who led the way more than a century ago, and including some of our own history-making faculty. Read the recap of our March social media campaign here.

Our best to all of you this spring,
Jonathan Rosand, MD, MSc, Managing Co-Director
Rudy Tanzi, PhD, Co-Director
Greg Fricchione, MD, Co-Director
McCANCE HIGHLIGHTS
INDICATORS of BRAIN HEALTH
Congratulations to Dr. Se Hoon Choi on winning a major grant to pursue drug discovery
This grant from the Thome Foundation supports innovative drug discovery research that will lead to improved therapies for individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches can transform clinical translational neuroimaging
Dr. Randy Gollub and colleagues published a review on how AI/ML can aid in the development of early detection, prediction, and treatment for brain disease.
INTERVENTIONS to PROMOTE BRAIN HEALTH
Social determinants of health can significantly impact stroke outcomes
Dr. Alessandro Biffi and his team team from the McCance Center Cerebrovascular Health Program published results showing neighborhood income as a strong predictor of stroke recovery and recurrence.
The "SHIELD" plan can help you take steps to improve your brain health
Dr. Rudy Tanzi's SHIELD plan outlines steps to better brain health; this overview provides guidance on how to use it and additional resources to make the first steps easier.
McCance-sponsored clinical trial is making progress to understand long-COVID "brain fog" symptoms
Dr. Edmarie Guzmán-Vélez shares early data from this study to test a drug intervention that may have broader implications for treating other brain diseases.
Having a sense of purpose can improve your memory and your mood
McCance Clinic Medical Director Dr. Zeina Chemali introduces the Japanese idea of "Ikigai" -- finding fulfillment in living, as opposed to simply fulfilling obligations.
INTEGRATION into CLINICAL CARE
McCance Center clinical trial participant sees life-changing benefits from what she learned
A recent trial on the impact of exercise on sleep motivated one woman to live her best life.
The McCance Clinic's Dr. Amy Newhouse discussed brain health at a recent Blum Center event
Dr. Newhouse spoke on the role of the McCance Brain Care ScoreTM in enabling everyone to adopt lifestyle changes to improve their brain care today.
A full evaluation at the McCance Clinic helped one patient take better charge of his brain care
Despite genetic risk and a family history, this patient discovered a path he could pursue today to improve and protect his brain health for the future.
A GROWING TEAM
Nirupama Yechoor, MD, MSc, an outstanding neurointensivist, has been awarded a American Stroke Association-Bugher Foundation fellowship in Brain Health for Hemorrhagic Stroke. Just recruited to the Harvard faculty and the McCance Center, Dr. Yechoor will launch a research program devoted to exposing and addressing the impact of social determinants of health on prevention and recovery from brain injury.
Jonathan Duskin, MD, Chief Resident in Neurology, has been award a competitive fellowship from the National Institutes of Health to launch his research career in the McCance Center’s Cerebrovascular Health Research Program; he has a passion for working with patients to make lifestyle changes for better brain health.
FACULTY IN THE NEWS
UPCOMING EVENTS
The bi-weekly McCance Center for Brain Health Seminar Series brings faculty members, guests and their labs together to present on and discuss the development of brain health indicators and interventions, as well as efforts to integrate brain health assessments into primary care. Join upcoming lectures and watch previous lectures on video - info here.
Monday, April 18, 11:00 AM ET: Susana Vacas, MD, PhD
  • Dr. Vacas, Department of Anesthesiology, UCLA, focuses her research on preserving brain health following anesthesia. 
 
Monday, May 16, 11:00 AM ET: Kevin Sheth, MD
  • Dr. Sheth, Vice Chair for Clinical & Translational Research, Departments of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Yale School of Medicine, is a leader within the McCance Center’s national consortium to test and implement strategies for brain care in primary care.

Monday, June 13, 11:00 AM ET: Ana-Maria Vranceanu, PhD
  • Dr. Vranceanu, PhD, Founding Director of the Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research (CHOIR), MGH, develops, tests and implements innovative, accessible, technology-enhanced mind-body and lifestyle interventions with the goal of enhancing the health, well-being, and equity of individuals (patients, caregivers, dyads) across the lifespan and on the continuum from health to illness. Now one of the nation’s leading investigators in mind-body and lifestyle interventions, Dr Vranceanu’s research program was launched through the financial support and mentorship of the McCance Center and its Co-Directors.
Follow us on social media and visit our website to get the latest news
on our clinical programs and research initiatives.
Link here to support the McCance Center for Brain Health
or contact bflynn6@mgh.harvard.edu 508-961-8093, directly.
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