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In This Issue:
Howard Weiner, MD, co-director of the Center for Neurologic Diseases, Jie Shen, PhD, and James Wessler, MBA, president of the Alzheimer’s Association MA/NH Chapter, at the ceremony.
Jie Shen, PhD, professor of Neurology at the Center for Neurologic Diseases, was honored Jan. 28 with the Alzheimer’s Association Zenith Fellows Award during a ceremony in the Shapiro Cardiovascular Center. The award, which supports investigators with pioneering research ideas who are likely to make important contributions to the field of Alzheimer’s disease, is given to five winners internationally every year. Each winner receives a $450,000 prize.
Shen and her colleagues study the role that amyloid precursor protein (APP) plays in Alzheimer’s disease. Using a technique developed by Shen, they will attempt to “turn off” APP in different areas of the brain to see how this affects cognitive and learning abilities.
“Our research may ultimately bring us closer to finding the causes of Alzheimer’s disease and determining whether APP plays a significant role in Alzheimer’s development,” said Shen. “It is an honor to receive this award as acknowledgement of our ongoing work.”
Keith A. Johnson, MD, of Massachusetts General Hospital, also received a Zenith Fellows Award at the January ceremony.