Emory Center for Neurodegenerative Disease December 1, 2011
Posted by cwslibrary in American Cities Program, Atlanta.Tags: Health, pre-med, Science/Technology, United States
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The Emory Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC), is funded by the National Institute on Aging. Through this grant, Georgia and surrounding states are provided with outstanding clinical, research, and educational programs on normal age related memory loss, mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.
Neurodegeneration is a common theme of many nervous system diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, head trauma, epilepsy and stroke. These disorders are devastating and expensive, with annual costs currently exceeding several hundred billion dollars in the United States alone, and current treatments are inadequate. Adding to the urgency of the problem is the fact that the incidence of these age-related disorders is increasing rapidly as population demographics change.
Internship Description for 2012
The internship at Emory is supervised by Dr. Melanie Greenaway. Development of clinical research skills is the primary purpose of the internship. Towards this aim, the primary research project is a multicenter cognitive rehabilitation intervention in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). In this study, we are investigating the use of a memory/notebook rehabilitation technique and computerized cognitive activity program in individuals with MCI (often thought to be the precursor to Alzheimer’s disease). Interns will participate in recruitment, database management, and assessment of subjects with MCI and their care partners. Interns will receive exposure to neuropsychological assessment, cognitive rehabilitation, clinical trial implementation, and database management. Interns also have the opportunity to participate in additional neuropsychological based studies into cognitive changes in the geriatric population, including Alzheimer’s disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Parkinson’s disease, or other dementias. Participation in general research coordination and diagnostic case conferences through the multidisciplinary ADRC team occur weekly. While research responsibilities are the primary focus, exposure to clinical evaluation and management of patients and numerous didactic experiences are also available, including clinical observation of neuropsychology and behavioral neurology, brain cutting, and neurology related didactics.
Desired Qualifications
Strong computer skills, strong written communication skills, ability to organize and manage multiple tasks and duties simultaneously, excellent interpersonal skills, sound critical thinking abilities, SPSS experience is desirable but not necessary.
Interest in cognitive psychology and neuropsychology, statistical analysis, dementias and the geriatric population, therapeutic interventions, and working both face to face with subjects as well as doing behind the scenes computer data basing work.
No language requirement.
