FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ON April 07, 2008
V.A. Hospital Physician Receives AAN Norman Geschwind Prize Award
CHICAGO -
The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is awarding the 2008 Norman Geschwind Prize Award in Behavioral Neurology to Andrew E. Budson, MD, with the Bedford V.A. Hospital in Bedford, Massachusetts, for his research to better understand how memory distortion occurs in Alzheimer’s patients. Budson is the Director of the Geriatric Research Educational Clinical Center (GRECC) at the Bedford V.A., and is also part of the Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center. He will receive the award during the AAN’s 60th Annual Meeting in Chicago, held April 12–19, 2008. The Norman Geschwind Prize is awarded to an individual for outstanding research in the field of behavioral neurology. Applicants should have a strong desire to expand the field of behavioral neurology through research. Distortions of memory may involve simple but critical aspects of daily activities, such as when someone falsely remembers turning off the stove or taking medications. In people with Alzheimer’s disease, this can be harmful as it may cause a person to forget performing these tasks. “Improved understanding of memory distortions may allow the development of simple strategies that patients can use to reduce false memories, allowing patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease to live richer and more independent lives,” said Budson. The award is sponsored by the AAN and the Behavioral Neurology Section and endowed through Dr. Norman Geschwind's family, friends, and colleagues; Pfizer Inc; and the Society for Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology. The 60th Annual Meeting, one of the world’s largest gatherings of neurology professionals, takes place in the McCormick Place West Convention Center in Chicago.