Speaker: Mario F. Mendez, UCLA
The frontotemporal degenerations, especially behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), are disorders that target the “Social Brain” and often have a genetic basis. Humans evolved frontal and related brain mechanisms aimed at supporting social groups, and this Social Brain is the focus of FTD. The consequences of disease in these areas range from violations of social norms to sociopathic acts. This presentation discusses these consequences, as well potential contributions from alterations in morality and in semantics.
For further information or to convey suggestions about future speakers, contact Paul S. Appelbaum, MD, Director, Center for Research on Ethical/Legal/Social Implications of Psychiatric, Neurologic & Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, at 646-774-8630 or [email protected].
Mario F. Mendez, MD, PhD is a behavioral neurologist with extensive publications in the area of cognition and neurodegenerative disease. He is the Director of Neurobehavior at the VA Greater Los Angeles and Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at UCLA. He also directs the UCLA Frontotemporal Dementia & Neurobehavior Clinic.
Dr. Mendez is trained and licensed in the areas of internal medicine, neurology, neurobehavior, and experimental psychology. He is a member and on the board of several of scientific professional organizations. Currently, he is on the Medical Advisory Board of the Association for Frontotemporal Dementia and a member of the NIH committee working on the improvement of the clinical criteria for FTD and related syndromes.
His area of research is the clinical aspects of frontotemporal dementia, progressive aphasia, posterior cortical atrophy, and other focal cortical degenerative conditions. He is a well published author with over 200 publications which include peer review articles, books and chapters.
This event is sponsored by the Center for Research on Ethical/Legal/Social Implications of Psychiatric, Neurologic & Behavioral Genetics; the Department of Psychiatry; and Columbia University Medical Center.
