Funded by American Brain Foundation and Alzheimer’s Association

Newswise — NEW ORLEANS – The American Brain Foundation (formerly the American Academy of Neurology Foundation) and the Alzheimer’s Association are awarding their 2012 Robert Katzman Clinical Research Training Fellowship in Alzheimer’s Disease to Suzanne Elizabeth Schindler, MD, PhD. Schindler, a resident physician in neurology at Washington University School of Medicine, is receiving the fellowship for her research studying the accumulation and spread of a brain protein that is involved in numerous brain diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.

The two-year award will provide annual salary support of $55,000, plus $10,000 per year in educational expenses. The award recognizes the importance of clinical research in Alzheimer’s disease and encourages young investigators to participate in clinical studies. The fellowship will be presented today in New Orleans during the American Academy of Neurology’s 64th Annual Meeting, the world’s largest meeting of neurologists.

Clinical research is the fundamental transition stage between discovery and treatment. It provides the scientific basis for all forms of care, addresses patient and caregiver needs and is the backbone for drug development and cost-effectiveness studies needed to improve lives. Fellowships give recipients up to two years of “protected time” by providing salary support, which allows them to continue important research projects in their chosen interests.

Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. It is estimated that 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease.

The American Brain Foundation, the foundation of the American Academy of Neurology, supports vital research & education to discover causes, improved treatments, and cures for brain and other nervous system diseases. Learn more at http://www.CureBrainDisease.org or find us on Facebook.

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading, global voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care and support, and the largest private, nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research. For more information or to find support, call the helpline at 1-800-272-3900 or learn more at www.alz.org.

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 25,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.

For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube.