IPA Bulletin

Where Are They Now?

IPA OPPORTUNITY WAS RESEARCH SCHOLAR’S FIRST EXPERIENCE AT AN INSTITUTION OF INTERNATIONAL RENOWN

CARLOS GUSTAVO ABEL
IPA RESEARCH SCHOLAR, 1996

[Editor’s Note: This article is another in our series, “Where Are They Now?” by former IPA Research Scholars, who are invited to share news of their current activities and describe how recognition by IPA has influenced their careers. The IPA Research Scholar Program was sponsored and supported by Pfizer Central Research, Pfizer Inc. All former IPA Research Research Scholars and Research Award winners who have not already done so are encouraged to submit an article for this series.]

I would first like to thank IPA, both for the opportunity to participate in its activities and the interest shown towards me as a former fellow. I am grateful to IPA for its support and its concern about the future of its fellows.

When I was chosen to take part in the Research Scholar program, I was doing clinical work on general neurology and dementia under the guidance of Dr. Carlos Mangone in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I had previously done a fellowship in movement disorders under the direction of Dr. Jose Bueri at the Ramos MejÌa Hospital in Buenos Aires, where I worked on a project assessing motor learning in patients with hemi-parkinsonism.

I was interested in cognitive and behavior disorders in patients with movement disorders. The unit head, Dr. Roberto Sica (now Chairman and Professor of Neurology, University of Buenos Aires),and Dr. Mangone thought it appropriate that I have some experience in dementia, particularly in the assessment of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. I would like to point out that in Argentina I performed mainly clinical activities, with a modest involvement in clinical research. My primary concern has always been cognitive and behavior disorders produced in the context of movement disorders.

I am indebted to Dr. Mangone for his recommendation, which led to the opportunity to participate as a Research Scholar and study at New York University. That was my first experience in a place of international academic reputation, in a country that promotes wisdom and research. It was a unique opportunity to share work and observe those who are the most knowledgeable in the area.

Comparing research done in the USA with the possibilities of research in my country is very difficult. I was impressed by the research activities that are carried out at New York University and by the number of people from different countries who work on very specific tasks, but with a common objective. My greatest weakness was study methodology, but Dr. Alan Kluger provided valuable academic help and guidance in research methodology. Dr. Barry Reisberg allowed my presence and involvement in the research activities of the center, hospital debates, and private consulting office activities, always providing me with the appropriate bibliography. I still remember with great affection the discussions with Dr. Reisberg about patients. Stephanie Auer and Fern Finkel also guided and encouraged me throughout my experience in New York.

I was deeply impressed by the multidisciplinary analysis at a grant meeting, dealing with aspects I would have never considered, given the capacity for basic research that is done at New York University. Although this first experience away from my country was rather difficult, I believe that month by month I acquired experience that would have taken years to gain at home.

I consider it a duty to join IPA’s efforts. Although we contribute daily with each patient we assist, the possibilities that my country offers regarding research on dementia and related disorders are still very modest. The greatest challenge in Argentina is the creation of multidisciplinary work groups.

Currently, I am working in the field of behavior and cognition in movement disorders, under the supervision of Dr. Jose Bueri, chief of the section of Movement Disorders in the Department of Neurology, Ramos Mejia Hospital. I have completed an investigation of the contribution of dopaminergic neurotransmission to motor learning in hemiparkinsonism, and designed a database relating information from three fields: dementia, movement disorders, and neurophtalmology. Furthermore, I am currently planning to search for different neuropsychological patterns of disexecutive syndrome between cerebellar and parkinsonian patients.
 

Carlos Gustavo Abel is affiliated with the Department of Neurology, Ramos Mejia Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina (E-mail: dakar@elsitio.net).

Carlos Gustavo Abel