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26th Annual Alzheimer Day Hosted Online Widens Reach

By Chloe Hilles

On September 24, the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease hosted its 26th annual Alzheimer Day. The educational and commemorative day was different than normal years: it was held completely online.

The original Alzheimer Day was intended to be held in May but due to the Covid-19 pandemic it was postponed. The virtual format of the event made it more accessible for new and out-of-state people to join the webinar and experience everything the Mesulam Center has to offer. 

“I must confess that when I was giving my introductory remarks to the first Alzheimer Day 25 years ago,” Marsel Mesulam, MD and director of the center, said in his opening remarks. “It never would have occurred even to my wildest imagination that the 26th event would be virtual.”

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Mesulam continued his opening remarks by highlighting all the progress that the center has made despite the global pandemic, working from home and facing the societal upheaval. In the midst of the pandemic, more than five million Americans are still diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. By 2050, it is projected to reach 13.8 million people with Alzheimer’s disease. As dementia continues to affect millions of people worldwide, continuing research is as important as ever.

“Since the lockdown, papers have been written on scientific topics and published, grant proposals have been submitted and funded, lectures have been given — virtually of course — nationally and internationally,” Mesulam said. 

Mesulam also added that the center is submitting a proposal for a substantial National Institute of Health (NIH) grant that would continue to fund the SuperAgers research.

The virtual event reached attendees across the country. About 110 of the attendees were from outside of the Chicagoland and Illinois area, spanning from New York to South Carolina, New Mexico and California.

In a post-event evaluation form, some attendees mentioned how the virtual format made attending more accessible, especially during a pandemic. 


“Because it would have been difficult for my family member to be there, the virtual event was a great option for us,” one attendee said in the evaluation. 


The event continued with the keynote Mendelson Lecture, this year presented by Sandra Weintraub, PhD, Alzheimer’s Disease Core Center Leader titled, “Cognition and Brain Aging: Research Advances at Northwestern.” In the past, the lecture was delivered by someone outside the Center. The keynote was followed by research presentations about basal forebrain vulnerabilities, cognitive functions across a lifespan and SuperAgers.

Alzheimer Day concluded with the Quality of Life Symposium sponsored by the Glen and Wendy Miller Family Foundation and titled, “Different Faces of Dementia.” The symposium consisted of a panel of three couples who face various forms of dementia, including Primary Progressive Aphasia, Lewy Body Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment. Attendees were able to ask questions to the panel about their experiences and advice on living with a dementia diagnosis and caregiving.


“The bravery and candor of both the care partners and the diagnosed was very moving. It's so impactful to put faces to the real life struggles and the important work being done at [Northwestern],” an attendee commented in the evaluation form.


Forty-five percent of those who responded to the post evaluation form had never attended the Mesulam Center’s Alzheimer Day before.

Alzheimer Day is hosted by the Mesulam Center each year to educate the public and scientific colleagues on developments in cognitive aging and dementia research at the center. The 2021 Alzheimer Day will take place virtually on May 6, 2021.

 

Watch the event recording
View Research Abstracts

The Glen and Wendy Miller Family

The Quality of Life Symposium was made possible by the generosity of the Miller family. Through their $1.25 million commitment, Glen and Wendy Miller and their daughter Lauren Izaks support the education and support programs for individuals and families living with neurocognitive disease, particularly the Buddy Program, which they have supported since 2008. In addition, their gift has helped establish the Miller Social Work Fellowship Program.

The Mendelson Family

The Mendelson Family provides generous support of Alzheimer Day. In honor of Robert and Linda Mendelson’s 50th wedding anniversary, David and Blythe Mendelson, Sharon and Scott Markman, and Debbie Mendelson Ponn established the Mendelson Lectureship, which brings a keynote speaker to the Mesulam Center’s annual Alzheimer Day.

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