Latest News

If a son heard that his father had an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, based on a beta-amyloid PET scan, he would likely experience negative emotions such as sadness, worry, disappointment, and concern for his own risk of cognitive decline. 

By Varshini Chellapilla and Lindsey Keener  

If you were told your spouse’s risk level for developing Alzheimer’s disease, how would you react, knowing you would become their closest caregiver? If you were to be told your sibling’s risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease, how would you react, knowing you share some genetic makeup? 

Emily Largent, PhD, JD, RN, member of the Penn Program on Precision Medicine for the Brain (P3MB), studies the implications of test results that can inform an older adult of their risk for Alzheimer’s disease later in life. But, as she explains, more people are affected by an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis than the patient alone. 

And, her research showed, both older adults and their loved ones had similar responses to news of the older adult’s risk. 

Dr. Jason Karlawish, co-director of the Penn Memory Center at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, USA, spoke to Alzheimer Europe about his new book, which takes us inside laboratories, the homes of people living with dementia, carers’ support groups, progressive care communities, and Dr. Karlawish’s own practice at the Penn Memory Center.

Dr. Lauren McCollum poses in the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine during her time at Penn Memory Center. (Credit: Terrence Casey)

By Lindsey Keener 

It’s been more than a year since Lauren McCollum, MD, concluded her time as a trainee at Penn Memory Center, but mentorship and grant support have kept her in close collaboration with the site of her fellowship.  

While at Penn, Dr. McCollum was a medical student at the Perelman School of Medicine, a neurology resident, and ultimately a Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology Clinical Fellow at PMC. Today she is a clinician and researcher at the University of Tennessee’s Pat Summitt Clinic. She is also a clinical assistant professor at the university.  

At both centers, her ultimate priority was the same: to give quality care to each of her patients and their families.  

“There’s this amazing human component to this where you’re supporting families and supporting people going through something that is really, really hard,” she said. “A slow, chronic, often fatal progressive disease of the brain.” 

Sharon Best, PA-C, MHS, is departing the Penn Memory Center after providing three years of quality care to PMC patients and research participants as the Center’s inaugural physician assistant.

“Sharon is an exceptional practitioner and colleague,” said PMC Executive Director Felicia Greenfield, MSW, LCSW. “She consistently goes above and beyond to care for our patients and their families.”

Best’s primary duty was assisting the team of neurologists, geriatricians, social workers, and neuropsychologists in developing innovative approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

“A curious professional, Sharon delighted in challenging herself to learn new things and she enthusiastically shared her knowledge with others,” said Greenfield.