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October 2023

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[3 Minute Read]


Mesulam Center faculty members participated in the Know Your Chicago's "Brain Health: Innovation and Hope" events, offering valuable insights on brain health research, treatment, and prevention. Attendees learned about the latest developments in combating dementia, including a virtual tour of the Mesulam Center brain bank and discussions on diet's role in cognitive health, caregiving resilience, and choral singing's impact on brain health. The event left participants with optimism and a deeper understanding of brain health as they navigate the aging process.


"These were two wonderful events hosted by Know Your Chicago that provided the latest information about brain health and how to treat and prevent dementias like Alzheimer’s disease," said Robert Vassar, PhD, Director of the Mesulam Center. "There were overwhelmingly positive responses by the attendees about the program."

Read the Full Event Recap

[12 Minute Watch]


Changiz Geula, PhD, research professor at the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease recently gave a virtual tour to the Mesulam Center's Brain Bank.


Learn more about the research happening in our Brain Bank and research participation and brain donation play a pivotal part of scientific breakthroughs in understanding dementia.

Watch the Full Tour

Authors: Borna Bonakdarpour, Guangyu Zhou, Daniel Huang, Catherine T Vidano, Stephan Schuele, Christina Zelano, Clara Takarabe

Published: Frontiers in Neurology, September 1, 2023


Researchers used Clinically Designed Improvisatory Music (CDIM) to help epilepsy patients in the monitoring unit during COVID-19. CDIM, featuring 40 minutes of calming music, notably improved patients' emotional well-being, reducing tension and restlessness while increasing pleasure. This study also revealed that decreased restlessness in response to music correlated with transitioning of brain waves from a faster frequency to a slower frequency, especially in the front and central regions: regions that are involved with processing of emotions and social connection. CDIM therefore, has the potential to provide comfort during difficult medical situations.

Read the Full Publication

Upcoming Events

South Loop Virtual Memory Café: Ghosts, Ghouls, and Goblins

October 24, 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

South Loop Memory Café: Celebrate Diwali

November 9, 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. 

Northwestern University and Medicine Abbott Park Health Fair

Tuesday, October 17, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Join Northwestern University and Northwestern Medicine for health screenings, health awareness and education resources, and demonstrations (cooking and mindfulness meditation) at the Abbott Park Senior Satellite Center.

Grief, Loss, and Hope: An AFTD Healthcare Professional Webinar

Thursday, October 19, 3:00–4:00 PM

Join the AFTD and Mary O'Hara, LCSW, for a webinar that will look at how the experience of grief in FTD differs from other dementias, and discuss supports that can help families find strength, resilience, and hope on the FTD journey. Learn more and register.

Musical Museum: An Afternoon of Jazz

Tuesday, October 24, 2:30–3:30 PM

This program is a musical and social engagement program for individuals with Alzheimer disease and related conditions to provide a safe and enriching environment. Click here to learn more.


To RSVP, email nmmp@northwester.edu.

Alzheimers Association Symposium

Friday, November 3, 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Join the Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter is hosting their annual Caregivers and Professionals Research Symposium in the Feinberg Pavilion Conference Center. This year's event will feature a presentation from the Allison Lapins, MD, from the Mesulam Center. Learn more and register.

The Mesulam Center attended the 2023 Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer on Saturday, October 7 at Solider Field. Thank you to everyone who walked with our team or supported us from near and far. Thanks to your generous support, we were able to raise of $6,000 for the Alzheimer's Association!

News & Announcements

Self Care with Dr. Darby Morhardt for World FTD Awareness Week

[19 Minute Watch]

Self 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 sat down with Emma Heming WIllis, founder and COO of Make Time Wellness, to discuss self care strategies. 


The soothing power of improvisational music for epilepsy patients

[3 Minute Read]

A 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.

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