A monthly newsletter from the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
October 2021
SuperAging program expands nationally with $20 million grant
The Mesulam Center was awarded a $20 million grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to establish an international multi-center SuperAging consortium. This grant will expand SuperAging research to locations across the United States and in Canada.

Since 2008, Emily Rogalski, PhD, and Changiz Geula, PhD, have studied SuperAging. Rogalski defined a “SuperAger” as someone who is over age 80 with superior memory capacity.
 
“I expect the expanded project to generate exciting discoveries on factors that enhance the brain's resistance to Alzheimer's disease and to the wear and tear of aging,” said Marsel Mesulam, MD, director of the Mesulam Center.  
Media Coverage: Robert Vassar, PhD, discusses the mysteries of Alzheimer's disease
Robert Vassar, PhD, director of the Mesulam Center's Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, shared his insight with Viewpoints Radio, particularly about amyloid drug treatments.

"We know a lot about the brain, but there's a lot we don't know," Vassar noted. Identifying the appropriate stage of disease to treat individuals living with dementia is key, and using imaging can help to shed light on the progression of disease in the brain.
Upcoming Events from our Community Partners
Family Caregiving and Dementia: Emotional Challenges and Opportunities October 28, 7:30-8:30 p.m. CT

In a Zoom session hosted by Thrive Counseling Center and
The Sheridan at River Forest, Darby Morhardt, PhD, LCSW, will discuss the emotional challenges of caregiving for persons living with dementia. She will offer helpful strategies that support the unique needs of family caregivers.
Musical Museum: November 8, 1-2 p.m. CT
Join us for Musical Museum, an hour of live music and conversation for persons living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

This Zoom event will feature Clara Takarabe, on the viola, and Borna Bonakdarpour, MD, on the piano.
South Loop Memory Cafe: November 11, 3-4p.m. CT
The South Loop Village Memory Cafe is a monthly social gathering for persons living with dementia and their family, friends and care partners. Meetings are now in-person at the Second Presbyterian Church in Fellowship Hall.

All are welcome to join these free monthly gatherings. They are hosted every second Thursday of the month.
Announcements & Updates
Enrolling SuperAgers!
One of our key studies is actively enrolling participants.
The SuperAging Study
This study is for cognitively healthy individuals over age 80. Participants will complete memory and thinking tests and MRI brain scans.
Join the SPIRIT Study
SPIRIT stands for Sharing Patients Illness Representations to Increase Trust

This study is for individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early-stage dementia and their care partners. All visits are online or over the phone so no travel is needed.
Consider making a gift to support the Mesulam Center.
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