Kohler awarded Alzheimer Foundation grant

By Communications Staff
March 07, 2013

Western Psychology professor Stefan Kohler has been awarded the Alzheimer Foundation London and Middlesex Premier Research Grant, a $100,000 grant (over two years) to support research, personnel and supportive infrastructure. Kohler is a member of Western’s Brain and Mind Institute.

His project, Delusional misidentifications in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, explores the neurological impairment caused by dementia that leads to patients believing well-known people (often the primary caregiver) have changed identity. Kohler is investigating changes in physiological arousal, which is normally a part of recognizing a family member, that leads to this misidentification in the sufferer.

His findings could offer guidance to caregivers and strategies for intervention in its development.

Supported by the Alzheimer Foundation London and Middlesex, this program primarily promotes overall scientific excellence and relevance to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.