Thank you for attending our 32nd annual Alzheimer Day!  

The Mesulam Institute thanks all of our 32nd Alzheimer Day attendees for an illustrious day of research innovation, and education, community. We also thank all of our sponsors for their continued support in bolstering Alzheimer's disease and related dementias research and providing resources for caregivers and individuals with cognitive decline alike. 

The day kicked off with Robert Vassar, PhD, Director Mesulam Institute's State of The Institute address and presenting the Marie and Carl Duncan Prize in Memory Research. We extend a hearty congratulations to this year's recipients —  Joshua Pasaye, Christopher Mazurek, and Grace Minogue.

Mendelson lecturer — Ronald C. Petersen, PhD, MD, professor of neurology at Mayo Clinic and director of Mayo Clinic Study of Aging — laid the foundation for the day with his talk titled Alzheimer's Disease 2026: Challenges and Hope. 

Engaged and eager to learn more, the audience engaged with renowned academics during the research poster session learn. Participants dove deeper into understanding the state of research around cognitive health, mental aging, Alzheimer's disease, and related dementias. 

The Quality of Life Symposium, an interactive session for event participants to learn how to navigate living with dementia through a holistic lens, began the second half of the day.

Sandra Weintraub, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, neurology, and psychology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine set the tone for the session through her talk, Understanding Symptom Evolution in Dementia: A Framework for Families and Professionals.

The session concluded with a multidisciplinary panel conversation with attendees, where individuals living with dementia and caregivers alike took stake in how to live a full life and support their loved ones in light of a diagnosis. 

                            Thank you to our Quality of Life Symposium panelists:

• Treasyri Williams Wood, SLPD, CCC-SLP/L, CDP, speech-language pathologist Willwood Consulting Services 
• Ian Grant, MD, behavioral neurologist Neurobehavior and Memory Clinic Northwestern Medicine 
• Karrie Stanley, MS, OTL, occupational therapist and founder of Chicago-based therapy group, Vitalize Home Therapy, PLLC
• Lauren Dowden, MSW, LCSW, clinical social worker and assistant director of the Outreach, Recruitment, Community Engagement Core at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Mesulam Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease 

 Click below to view the Abstract Book:

                                       32nd Alzheimer Day Abstract Book 

For questions regarding Alzheimer Day 2026, contact Ananya Chandhok.