Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology

Cognitive Fellowship Program

Overview

The Penn Memory Center, Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology offer a 1-2 year fellowship in Behavioral Neurology & Neuropsychiatry accredited by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS). Penn offers a rich environment of clinical and research activities in the field of cognitive neurology. There are 15 physicians (neurologists and geriatricians) and 4 nurse practitioners in the Penn Memory Center and Cognitive Neurology Division. Our work includes extensive research interests, including work in fluid biomarkers of neurodegenerative disease, non-invasive brain stimulation, functional and structural neuroimaging, optimizing cognitive care delivery, genetic underpinnings of neurodegenerative disease, and monitoring response to anti-amyloid therapies. Clinically, we lead one of the country’s largest anti-amyloid therapy treatment programs for Alzheimer’s disease.

The presence of several centers and programs allows for broad exposure to multi-disciplinary clinical and research experiences. These centers include the Penn Memory Center (PMC) – which houses the NIA-funded Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Clinical Core, the Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, the Penn Medicine Translational Neuroscience Center, the GUIDE Dementia Care Program, the Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, the Penn Institute on Aging, and the Penn Brain Stimulation, Translation, Innovation, and Modulation Center. Penn also has a robust clinical trials program for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Fellowship Curriculum

The fellowship program offers flexibility depending on the career goals of the fellow, but generally has the following structure:

Year 1: 60-70% clinical time with faculty mentors in the Penn Memory Center or Frontotemporal Degeneration Center. Development of a research project or other scholarly project is encouraged. Effort will be made to establish both clinical and research or career mentors early in the program.

Year 2 (Optional): Fellows may spend up to 90% time on a research plan developed and initiated during year 1.

All years: Requires active participation in clinical trials and other patient-oriented projects.

Clinical Education

Fellows will become proficient in:

Conducting a comprehensive cognitive evaluation
Identifying domains of cognition affected and differentiating between normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia
Selecting appropriate diagnostic testing to test for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
Counseling on lifestyle modification to promote brain health
Conducting the eligibility evaluation for anti-amyloid therapy
Prescribing and monitoring patients on anti-amyloid therapy
Identifying and addressing psychosocial needs for patients with cognitive impairment and their care partners

Fellows will also attend ~biweekly lectures including Penn Memory Center didactics, Penn Neurodegenerative Disease Grand Rounds, and the Penn Institute on Aging Visiting Scholars Series. Additionally, they will attend and present patients at the Penn Memory Center’s weekly multidisciplinary case conference.

Research Information

Learn about ongoing research at the Penn Memory Center

Learn about observational and clinical trials at the Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center

Application Process

Applicants should apply during their penultimate year of residency training. Eligible applicants must have an MD or DO and residency training in neurology or psychiatry, or fellowship training in geriatric medicine. The application timeline is:

September 1st, - Application Cycle Opens.
December 1st - Application Submission Deadline
January 15th - Fellowship Interviews Begin

Requirement for Applicants

Eligible for medical licensure in the state of Pennsylvania, including successful completion of USMLE Step 3 (or COMLEX Level 3)

Application Requirements:

Curriculum Vitae
Personal Statement
Professional Photo
USMLE scores, Steps 1, 2 and 3
Three Letters of Recommendation
Interested applicants should send completed application to the Directors of the fellowship program: