News and Announcements
Read the latest news from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine’s Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease. The links below take you to articles where you can learn more about our members' latest achievements, awards and honors.
'They get some of that old joy back': West Falls musical cafe stirs memories for those with dementia04.10.2024 Buffalo NewsThe West Falls Musical Memories Cafe provides a space for joy and connections amidst the challenges of Alzheimer's and dementia. Experts, including Borna Bonakdarpour spoke about the therapeutic potential of music and community, illuminating the path to emotional well-being for those affected.
04.10.2024 Everyday HealthDiscover how the brain evolves with age, navigating between normal aging and cognitive concerns, as explained by experts like Molly Mather. Unveil insights into the fascinating world of 'SuperAgers,' individuals over 80 with memory abilities akin to those decades younger, shedding light on potential keys to maintaining brain health.
04.05.2024Northwestern Medicine investigators have developed a method to measure protein expression in an individual neuron type, according to a study published in Molecular Psychiatry.
04.03.2024We recently talked to Mesulam Center researchers, those of whom are involved in primary progressive aphasia (PPA) research, about a unique gift many of our research participants have left behind at the Center — their artwork. Discover how art becomes a profound means of communication and expression amidst language loss, leaving a lasting legacy at the Mesulam Center and beyond.
04.03.2024The Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease initiated the Northwestern University SuperAging Program (NUSAP) 25 years ago to show that the preservation of memory into the 80’s and beyond does happen and that a long life does not necessarily lead to Alzheimer’s disease. We are immensely grateful to all of our participants for generously donating their time and wisdom year after year and look forward to continue working together for many years to come. Read our full statement.
03.11.2024A mutated protein expressed in lysosomes may contribute to Parkinson’s disease, according to a new Northwestern Medicine study published in the Journal of Cell Biology.
02.26.2024 CBS NewsThe news of Wendy Williams' dementia-linked diagnoses is an important reminder that the conditions are often missed initially by medical providers, according to Dr. Sandra Weintraub, a clinician and neuropsychologist at Northwestern University, who joined CBS News with a look at the medical effects.- 02.23.2024 NBC 5 ChicagoFormer talk show host Wendy Williams announced on February 22 that she has been diagnosedn frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a progressive disorder that makes it difficult for a person to understand and express language. Sandra Weintraub, PhD discusses common sympotoms of FTD and PPA.
02.23.2024 Northwestern Medicine MagazineRobert Vassar, PhD, director of the Mesulam Center, shares his journey from groundbreaking discoveries in molecular genetics to leading the charge against Alzheimer's. With FDA-approved treatments and cutting-edge research, his goal is simple — to make dementia just a memory.
02.14.2024A new study has found the immune system in the blood of Alzheimer’s patients is epigenetically altered, and many of these altered genes are the same ones that increase an individual’s risk for Alzheimer’s.
- 02.14.2024 WTTWAs questions about age and cognitive function have once again surfaced in the presidential race, Molly Mather, PhD discusses what you should know about brain health.
- 02.12.2024 CNN
Concerns about age and mental fitness have been a recurring theme through the past two presidencies and are set to only mount in 2024 with two frontrunner candidates nearing or exceeding the age of 80. Experts, including Molly Mather, PhD discuss typical signs of aging.
02.05.2024 Alz ForumClinicians, led by Gil Rabinovici at UCSF, found that a rare type of early-onset dementia called posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is usually linked to Alzheimer's disease. This form of dementia affects how people see and process things and often starts around age 60, particularly in women, with challenges in getting a correct diagnosis, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness among eye-care specialists and neurologists. Marsel Mesulam spoke on the significance of this paper and their findings.- 02.02.2024 OHBM Neurosalience Podcas
Marsel Mesulam, MD recently joined the Organization of Human Brain Mapping (OHBM) Neurosalience Podcast to discuss his influential career and current research focuses.
02.01.2024 WGNOn January 31, 2024, Biogen announced that they will be discontinuing production of their controversial Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm, less than 3 years after receiving FDA approval. Ian Grant, MD spoke to WGN about the discontinuation of the drug and alternative medication options, such as Lecanemab, which has shown a 27-28% slowing of cognitive decline in studies.
- 01.23.2024
Sandra Weintraub, PhD and a group of researchers from around the country have spent the past few years developing the Dementia Nomenclature Initiative (DeNomI), a nationwide plan to address limitations in communicating dementia diagnoses and increase the general public’s understanding of related diseases. This first-of-its-kind framework aims to tackle stigma, naming inconsistencies, and a lack of education surrounding cognitive diseases. DeNomI separates clinical symptoms from biological changes, paving the way for improved research, therapy development, and enhanced healthcare communication.
01.19.2024A new Northwestern Medicine study has identified short strands of toxic RNAs that contribute to brain cell death and DNA damage in Alzheimer’s and aged brains.
The post New Cause of Neuron Death in Alzheimer’s Discovered appeared first on News Center.
- 01.19.2024 NeurologyToday
Patients planning to receive anti-amyloid treatments such as lecanemab first must enroll in a registry to help clinicians draw conclusions on the drugs' safety and efficacy. But multiple registries have been established and are now asking for different data and using varied scales, raising questions about the integrity of the data collected and how it could be shared among the registries.
01.16.2024 HuffPostRemaining healthy and sharp are goals for most people as they age. But one group of people — known as “SuperAgers” — is said to have this all down as they go through life, even into their later years. Tamar Gefen, PhD shares some key behaviors that can improve your life expectancy.
- 12.19.2023 The Times of Northwestern IndianaPublished in 2022, the “Musical Bridges to Memory” intervention, a collaboration between Northwestern Medicine and the Institute for Therapy through the Arts, revealed the power of music in connecting with individuals suffering from dementia, particularly in the later stages. Borna Bonakdarpour recently spoke about the study and potential future implications of their findings.
- 11.28.2023 Northwestern MedicineIan Grant, MD, assistant professor of Neurology at the Mesulam Center, recently spoke to Northwestern Medicine about Bruce Willis and his aphasia diagnosis.
- 11.21.2023 NBC NewsMRI scans show that visceral fat, which can accumulate around the organs of even people at healthy BMIs, is associated with changes in the brain. Borna Bonakdarpour discussed how these findings stress the relationship between physical health and the risk of Alzheimer's.
11.16.2023A new molecular technology capable of binding to mRNA and regulating gene expression may offer a new avenue for treating diseases caused by insufficient protein levels, according to a study published in Nature Communications.
- 10.12.2023
Mesulam Center faculty members shared valuable insights on brain health, dementia prevention, and the latest research developments at the Know Your Chicago's "Brain Health: Innovation and Hope" events, fostering knowledge and hope among attendees.
09.26.2023Self care, an often overlooked topic for many of us. Taking steps to support your own health is important whether you’re a caregiver, someone carrying a genetic variant that causes FTD, or living with FTD today. Darby Morhardt, PhD, LCSW discusses self care strategies.
09.15.2023Feinberg investigators, students, trainees and faculty celebrated discovery and presented scientific research at Feinberg’s 17th annual Lewis Landsberg Research Day on Sept. 14.
- 09.06.2023 Tech ExploristA Northwestern Medicine pilot study led by Dr. Borna Bonakdarpour reveals the calming effect of improvisational viola music on epilepsy patients' brain waves, reducing anxiety during hospital tests. Promising results suggest broader applications for music therapy in healthcare.
08.17.2023Northwestern Medicine scientists have discovered how HIV hijacks intracellular processes to proliferate and contribute to neurodegeneration, according to a new study published in Nature Communications.
08.08.2023 CNA LifestyleIf a single supplement could boost your mental performance – by increasing alertness and focus, clearing brain fog, sharpening your memory and reducing the urge to procrastinate – you might feel as if you stumbled upon a revolutionary hack for productivity. Some manufacturers claim certain formulations can sharpen the mind, but experts say the evidence behind that idea is lacking.