Mesulam Center Connections: New Leadership in Mesulam Center

Novembr 2022

New Leadership in Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease

After 28 years of outstanding leadership, M. Marsel Mesulam, MD, the Ruth Dunbar Davee Professor of Neuroscience in the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, an international authority on primary progressive aphasia (PPA), has announced that he will be stepping down as director of the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease, effective January 1, 2023. He will remain on the faculty to continue his research.

Mesulam will be succeeded by Robert Vassar, PhD, the Davee Professor of Alzheimer Research and professor of Neurology and of Cell and Developmental Biology, and scientific director of Behavioral Neurology in the Department of Neurology. He is also the Director of the NIH-funded Northwestern Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

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We are pleased to announce that the annual issue of the Mesulam Center News is now available.

Over the last year, the Mesulam Center renewed our commitment to building diversity in research through community partnerships, opened the doors to our new Neurobehavior and Memory Clinic, and fostered mentoring relationships with the next generation of researchers.

In this issue you can learn more about these items, in addition to stories about our latest research findings, new faculty and staff, our return to an in-person Alzheimer Day, and more.

Read the Fall 2022 Issue

U.S. scientists believe they may be closer to answering why certain elderly people retain rare cognitive ability comparable to people 30 years younger. A recent study from Northwestern Medicine showed that post-mortem brains of SuperAgers reveal significantly larger neurons in memory region. Tamar Gefen, PhD discussed the study findings with BBC.

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Upcoming Events with Community Partners

South Loop Memory Café: Gratitude

November 10, 3:00 - 4:00 PM

The South Loop Village Memory Café is a free monthly social gathering for persons living with dementia and their family, friends, and care partners. Meetings are in-person at the Second Presbyterian Church in Fellowship Hall. They are hosted every second Thursday of the month.

South Loop Virtual Memory Café: Gratitude

November 22, 2:00 - 3:00 PM

Join the South Loop Village and the Mesulam Center for the monthly Virtual Memory Café. These free virtual social gathering are for persons living with dementia and their family, friends, and care partners. Meetings are held via Zoom every fourth Tuesday of the month. RSVP here.

Dementia Friends and Brain Health Presentation

November 17, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Join the First District Chicago Police Department Senior Sub Committee for Dementia Friends and Brain Health Presentation from South Loop Village and the Mesulam Center at the First District Police Station. Maureen Daly, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, will be presenting. Stay tuned for more information.

Caregivers Conference 2022

November 19, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

November is National Caregivers Month. In celebration, Dementia Friendly Washington Heights and the Woodson Regional Library will hold the annual Caregivers Conference.

This year’s theme is Tough Decisions, Smart Choices. Join them to learn how to navigate the many tough decisions and choices caregivers may need to make to support their loved ones. They invite you to learn from an expert panel about community support and resources that are available to caregivers and their families. At the end of the day, you will be introduced to self-care practices aimed at refueling family caregivers. Learn more and attend here.

News & Announcements

Fetterman’s use of captions is common in stroke recovery, experts say

During his first on-camera interview since having a stroke, Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman stumbled over words and used closed captioning to read interview questions, prompting Republicans to raise new questions about his health. Disability advocates, however, say that response shows a lack of understanding about accommodations that are often made after a major health event such as a stroke.

One secret to excellent memory in old age? Giant neurons.

A new study in The Journal of Neuroscience found that SuperAgers have significantly larger neurons in a specific brain region compared to people of the same age and individuals 20-30 years younger. Senior author Tamar Gefen, PhD discussed the study findings.

With little data to go on, experts question how useful Eisai, Biogen’s new Alzheimer’s drug will be

A large study of the drug, called lecanemab, hit its main goal, but doctors and researchers point out the effects appear relatively modest. Bob Vassar, PhD discussed the potential applications of the new drug.

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