June Connections: Discussing Research Milestones

A monthly newsletter from the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

June 2021

Celebrating a Research Milestone

Receiving an accurate dementia diagnosis can take time. Specialized quantitative brain imaging is becoming increasingly important for improving the process of obtaining an accurate dementia diagnosis.

For more than 20 years, the Mesulam Center has been able to obtain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) through research projects funded by the National Institutes of Health. In 2018 the imaging infrastructure at the center was enhanced by adding an Imaging Core to our Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Less than three years since the Imaging Core was established, the team has been able to contribute over 100 brain scans.

Read the full Imaging story

The Buddy Program Thrives in 24th Year,

Builds Online Connection

In late May, the Mesulam Center hosted the end of year celebration for the Buddy Program, a program that matches persons living with dementia with first-year medical students for a year. Now in its 24th year, the largest cohort in the program’s history gathered online via Zoom.

Medical students Sareen Ali and Scott Wu shared their experiences in the Buddy Program, and how they bonded with their mentors through meeting online over Zoom.

Read the full Buddy Program story

New FDA Approved Drug Treatment Aducanumab:

What You Should Know

On June 7, the FDA approved aducanumab (trade name ADUHELM) for use in Alzheimer’s disease. This is a historic milestone. The last drug approval for Alzheimer’s disease happened 18 years ago. The FDA decision brings new hope to families with Alzheimer’s disease. However, this was a controversial decision. Even under the best circumstances, ADUHELM is not a cure. There is no claim that it reverses existing disease or that it stops progression.

Read more by Dr. Mesulam

Upcoming Events

TODAY: What's So Super about SuperAging?

June 15 at 3 p.m. CST

In collaboration with the Villages of Chicago, join us for a presentation on SuperAging presented by Emily Rogalski, PhD.

On average memory abilities decline with aging. However, there are some individuals, we call SuperAgers, who seem to resist age related changes in memory. Dr. Rogalski has been leading the Northwestern SuperAging Research Program for more than 10 years, which has a goal of identifying genetic, biologic, and psychosocial factors that contribute to living long and living well. At this presentation, she will highlight Northwestern’s contributions to research in this area and its relevance for healthy aging and Alzheimer's disease.

Lewy Body Dementia Series:

June 24 at 1 p.m. CST

Shirley Ryan AbillityLab is pleased to offer an ongoing support and educational series for people with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) and their care partners.

This series will kick off on June 24 with the showing of the film "SPARK: Robin Williams and his battle with Lewy Body Dementia" and will be followed by a moderated discussion.

Juneteenth Reading Circle:

June 17 at 6 p.m. CST

Celebrate Juneteenth with Chicago Public Library through a city-wide Juneteenth Reading Circle.

Participants will discuss Chicago author Richard Wright’s novel The Man Who Lived Underground, and the significance of its release in April 2021, nearly 80 years after it was written. The discussion will also focus on themes around the relationship between police and the communities they serve.

This event will be streamed live on the library's YouTube channel.