The Penn Memory Center (PMC) is offering a variety of free programs for people living with dementia, caregivers, and their loved ones. Scroll down to browse our selection of programs and sign up to attend.
Archives for September 2023
PMC’s clinical fellow climbs to new heights
By Meghan McCarthy
Since childhood, Matt Van Dongen, MD, has approached life as a climb. Whether adventuring through backyard woods or navigating patient care as a physician, he depends on his passion and curiosity.
He takes that perspective into his current role, as Penn Memory Center (PMC) clinical fellow.
Dr. Van Dongen grew up in rural West Virginia, with nature as his playground.
“There wasn’t a lot going on,” he said. “I kept myself busy because we lived right up against the woods. I think I naturally climbed onto whatever I could as I kid.”
STAR program trains young scholars in aging research
By Jake Johnson
The Penn Memory Center (PMC) recently completed the third year of its Summer Training in Aging Research (STAR) program. This year marked a particular success for the program, as the number of applicants PMC received more than doubled from 2022.
As with previous years, PMC chose just six applicants to participate in the 9-week program, pairing them with mentors in the field of aging research. The STAR internship offers a valuable opportunity for students to get hands-on experience in their area of interest.
The STAR program emphasizes diversity and inclusion in the field of aging research through its application process. All undergraduate and graduate students are invited to apply to the STAR internship, but the program highly encourages students from underrepresented groups to apply.
Clark Scholar to dedicate prestigious fellowship to the fight against AD inequities
By Meghan McCarthy
Penn Memory Center (PMC) Clark Scholar Victor Ekuta, MD, has recently been selected as a postdoctoral fellow scholar for the ANDI Health Equity Scholars Program (HESP).
The prestigious program offers training, mentorship, and a generous research stipend to support developing physicians and scientists in the field of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
“I’m extremely humbled and honored to be selected for HESP,” said Dr. Ekuta. “I know that this award will be an important steppingstone toward becoming a culturally competent Alzheimer’s Disease physician-scientist ready to join the fight against Alzheimer’s disease inequities.”
Penn experts in neurodegenerative diseases at ANA’s 148th Annual Meeting
University of Pennsylvania clinicians and researchers who specialize in neurodegenerative diseases had a substantial presence at this year’s American Neurological Association (ANA) Annual Meeting, which took place September 9-12, in Philadelphia, PA.
Roy Hamilton, MD, MS, FANA, professor and vice chair for Inclusion and Diversity in the Department of Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania, received the Audrey S. Penn Lectureship Award for his work promoting health equity in the field of neurology.
Three UPenn researchers, Defne Amado, MD, PhD; George Kannarkat, MD, PhD; and Daniel T Ohm, PhD; were recognized as ANA Emerging Scholar Speakers, early-career researchers who are conducting cutting-edge science.
Genetic links to differences found in brain structures of patients with AD/MCI
By Meghan McCarthy
The brain is akin to a home. Genetics are the foundation. They determine the layout and style. And when there are changes in foundation, this layout shifts. Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRDs) can change the brain’s structure.
Junhao Wen, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher in the Artificial intelligence in Biomedical Imaging Lab (AIBIL) and Center for Biomedical Image Computing & Analytics (CBICA), aims to understand these changes using artificial intelligence (AI) and genetic analyses.
Last year, Dr. Wen was amongst a team of researchers who used artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze magnetic imaging resonance (MRI) scans in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The team found differences the brain structures of this patient population in comparison to healthy adults.
This concept is known as neuroanatomical heterogeneity.
An Instrument Heard Round the World
How the Assessment of Capacity for Everyday Decision-making, or ACED, launched a revolution in the elder care
By Meghan McCarthy
August 2023
Seventeen years ago, on a visiting lectureship to the Geriatrics Division at Yale University, Jason Karlawish, MD, was approached by James Lai, MD. The young physician-in-training wondered if Dr. Karlawish would be open to collaborating on a research idea. Could we develop a measure of a person’s capacity to solve everyday problems?
Dr. Karlawish replied with a resounding “yes,” quickly embracing the role of mentor.
Looking back, he summed up the decision he faced: “This was in the days before Zoom and texting and such, and James was junior and working far away at a different institution. Together, that presented challenges. He couldn’t just stop into my office with a question. But never mind that, I decided. James’ timing was auspicious. I was deeply engaged in research to develop and validate instruments that assess decisional capacity.”
They set to work.