June 11, 2004

MGH hosts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center's anniversary symposium

Researchers from around the world gathered June 4 for the Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center's (ADRC) 20-year anniversary Scientific Day Celebration, hosted by MGH Neurology. Held at the Shriner's Hospital Auditorium, the day-long symposium featured highlights of current cutting-edge Alzheimer's research, along with comments from Joseph B. Martin, MD, dean of Harvard Medical School and former chief of MGH Neurology.

MGH clinicians and researchers who spoke during the symposium included John H. Growdon, MD, the program director of the ADRC; Anne B. Young, MD, PhD, chief of MGH Neurology; Rudolph E. Tanzi, PhD, director of the MGH Genetics and Aging Unit; and MGH neurologists Bradley T. Hyman, MD, PhD, and Michael C. Irizarry, MD.

The Massachusetts ADRC is one of five original centers of excellence devoted to Alzheimer's research. Established in 1984 by the National Institute on Aging, the centers' mission is to treat, cure and, if possible, prevent Alzheimer's disease. The Massachusetts ADRC includes the MGH, BWH, Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged/Harvard Division on Aging, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Massachusetts Medical Center.

From top, Martin, Young and Growdon