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July 2010

in

Diana Kerwin, MD

  • Assistant Professor at the Department of Medicine
  • Division of Geriatrics and Neurobehavior Clinic of the Cognitive Neurology Alzheimer Disease Center (CNADC).
  • In the news: Click here to read an article about Dr. Kerwin's research featured on CNN and Fox TV
    For more press releases, click here.

What are your clinical and research interests?

My research pertains to the effect of body weight, obesity and obesity-related cytokines on cognitive aging and risk of dementia. My clinical interest is based within the Northwestern University Neurobehavior Clinic of the Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer Disease Center (CNADC). I work with the Center neurologists, psychiatrist, neuropsychologists, social workers and research staff. We focus on persons with cognitive concerns or disorders, the evaluation, diagnosis and management of cognitive disorders, with focused attention on the management of medical co-morbidities in persons with clinical dementia syndromes such as Alzheimer disease, Vascular dementia, Lewy Body disease, and frontal lobe dementias. Click here to learn more about CNADC.

My clinical interest in the inpatient setting is attending on the general internal medicine teaching service and geriatric medicine consult service. We assist medical teams in the care of elderly patients admitted to the hospital.

Tell us more about your life outside of work.

I'm from Chicago originally but grew up in both Florida and Lake Geneva, WI. I graduated high school in Delray Beach, Florida. Currently I live in Wilmette with my daughter. Outside of work you will find me with my daughter at her soccer games, school events, etc. I also enjoy running, piano, travel, the Chicago lakefront and museums.

Where do you see your career heading?

I recently completed and published data looking at the effects of body weight on cognition and dementia risk in women of the Women's Health Initiative. I am currently working on a pilot study to determine the relationship between body fat distribution, adipocytokines and cognitive performance in elderly women. I plan to collaborate with NU investigators in the Department of Medicine and CNADC to further study the relationship between adipocytokines and changes in cognition and if there is a direct relationship with CNS amyloid and tau protein abnormalities associated with Alzheimer disease and dementia.
 

Awards received:

  • 1999: Best Resident-Teacher, Northwestern University Medical School
  • 2003: Young Investigator Award, Alzheimer’s Association of Southeastern Wisconsin
  • 2004: Dr. Judith Stitt Faculty Scholar Award, Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation, biannual award
  • 2006: Forty under Forty, Milwaukee Business Journal recognition of young leaders.
  • 2006: T. Franklin Williams Research Scholar Award, American Geriatrics Society for Health in Aging/Association of Subspecialty Professors and Atlantic Philanthropies, national, competitive biannual award
  • 2008: Friends of the Hispanic Community Award, United Community Center recognition for work as Director, Latino Geriatric Center-Memory Disorders Clinic
  • 2008: Outstanding Physician Award, Alzheimer’s Association of Southeastern Wisconsin Annual Award