The Memory Clinic

02/19/2025

01/07/2025

We are beyond excited to welcome Penny Bruso, MS, FNP-BC, MSCN to The Memory Clinic staff! Penny brings a wide breadth of experience, having worked in the primary care setting for 4 years and then in a neurology practice for an additional 4 years before starting in a solo practice with an off-site collaborative board-certified neurologist. She has experience in the fields of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Myasthenia Gravis, Alzheimer’s disease, and migraines with a specialized skill set in treating chronic migraines with Botox injections.

Please join us in giving Penny a warm welcome! Penny will be accepting patients (ages 18-64) with migraine headaches here in Bennington, VT. Please call (802) 681-3955.

Penny Bruso, MS, FNP-BC, MSCN has joined the Memory Clinic staff. Penny is board-certified in Family Practice with focused training in certain neurological conditions that include migraines, and Multiple Sclerosis.

11/11/2024

VermontBiz Rising Stars – 40 under 40

We are very proud that our colleague, Courtnay Wilson, PsyD, has been selected to be one of the Rising Stars in the state of Vermont. The selection criteria included leadership and dedication to improving the quality of life for others in the star’s hometown area.

Courtnay has demonstrated impressive commitment to her community; she is a long-standing member of and the vice-chair of the board of directors of the Shires Young Professionals. Courtnay, or CW as we call her, has been a key player in numerous local events, including: Bennington Pride Day, for which she organized volunteers; Habitat for Humanity projects for which she initiated and organized volunteers; Garlic Town, for which has been a Captain for the last 2 years and managed the digital roaming team; service days for Second Chance Animal Shelter; the Remote Area Medical Clinic Weekend for which she helped with take down of the event, so the medical providers could focus on providing medical care to those in need; and many, many others.

Community involvement is a large part of who Courtnay is; she works 5 days a week at the Memory Clinic as a member of the treatment team that provides diagnosis, treatment, and management plans for people with Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s disease and related cognitive problems. She has been a pivotal member of the testing of new diagnostic blood tests and is working with her colleagues on two studies aimed at preventing Alzheimer’s disease. Along with the psychiatric expertise from our Medical Director, Dr. Lisa (Catapano-Friedman), Courtnay and the team of psychologists are excited to be expanding their practice into the areas of depression and anxiety.

10/30/2024

If you have a family history of Alzheimer's disease and want to be proactive, it's time to take action!

The ReTain Study is evaluating whether an investigational medication is safe, tolerable, and effective at slowing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms for those who may be at risk. In order to participate in this clinical trial, you or your loved one must be between the ages of 55 and 75, have normal memory, mood, thinking and behavioral patterns, and have a reliable study partner over the age of 18, who is willing to attend some study visits with the participant.

If you are interested in getting more information about this study, please email our Clinical Research Coordinator, Olivia, at olivia@memorydoc.org.

10/23/2024

A big part of brain health is keeping your body healthy too! We always recommend exercise to our patients and you will frequently hear us say "what is good for your heart is good for your brain." Temperatures have been perfect lately for exercising, and Olympian and World Cup veteran Julia Kern was kind enough to share some of her favorite activation exercises to help you get ready for a workout! Check out her article below on FasterSkier!

https://fasterskier.com/2024/10/5-activation-exercises-to-get-you-ready-for-any-workout/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGF2XpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHa4LfhQuuyjkaK8WvLFM27ARB0d97XflhXxUUQbvb7E_1khMDp36TtxkQg_aem_0nfEEpr0VETNvbWRgszC3g

  From a young age, my track coach insisted that we did a thorough dynamic warm-up before starting any training session to activate the right muscles and avoid injury. I have my track coach to thank for teaching me this at a young age. Especially as I get older, my daily activation exercises are cr...

09/13/2024

Sherman and Arthur want to make sure that you check out the Bennington Quiltfest this weekend at Mount Anthony Middle School in Bennington, VT! Information on timing is listed in the photos below. The Memory Clinic will have a table at the Quilt Fest, with information on our clinic as well as how you can screen for several clinical trials that are currently enrolling! Not to mention, our very own Pharmacy Manager, Lisa Barlow, is one of the organizers of the Bennington Quilt Fest. Her handy-work is all around The Memory Clinic, as she quilted seahorses for staff to hang on their doors (also pictured below). This event is sure to be amazing, and we hope you are able to make it out!

08/30/2024

We are so proud to be supporting such an amazing athlete again this year! Julia Kern knows what she is talking about when it comes to the impact of exercise and healthy eating on brain health! We have been having some excellent weather here in Vermont, so now is the time to savor the last few weeks of Summer and move your body outside in this beautiful state!

Exercise of course helps improve cognition and mood, but sometimes that isn't always enough. If you have been feeling down and sad, and have had a hard time finding the right treatment, click on the link to see if you qualify for a clinical trial aimed at treating Major Depressive Disorder ➡️ https://junipermddstudy.com/EXFB

08/27/2024

Are you experiencing a low or depressed mood and a decreased interest in pleasurable activities?

Do you have feelings of guilt or worthlessness, lack of energy, or poor concentration?

If so, you may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial for adults with Major Depressive Disorder at The Memory Clinic. Please use this link to get more information and find out if you are eligible:

The JUNIPER MDD Study is evaluating an investigational treatment option for depression associated with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

07/31/2024

Congratulations to the United States women's rugby team who just made history by winning a bronze medal in the Paris Olympics! Special congrats to local standouts, Vermonter Ilona Maher and Williams College alum Kristi Kirshe!

We are rooting for all of our local athletes, including rower Bill Bender and track athlete Elle St. Pierre, both from Vermont!

02/19/2024

Congratulations to Jessie Diggins on her PODIUM FINISH in the 10k skate at the Stifel Loppet Cup, which marks the first & only home podium for an American Woman in cross country World Cup history! This is an amazing achievement!!! We are in awe of Jessie’s amazing spirit and athleticism!

We still feel so lucky to have had Jessie, Julia, and their teammates speak about the importance of exercise for mental health at The Memory Clinic in September 2023. The World Cup is a great reminder to take advantage of these sunny Winter days and get outside to exercise and enjoy time in the outdoors. Cross country skiing is excellent exercise, as is snow shoeing, hiking and walking. Winters can be tough in Vermont, but there are still plenty of ways to stay active.

We wish Jessie and all of the US Ski team continued success !!!

01/16/2024

There is no time like the present to start living a healthier lifestyle, especially given the benefits for an aging brain. Julia Kern could not have laid out a better plan for caring for the mind. Conversation/socialization is the best exercise for the brain, and keeping the mind active with stimulating activities, eating healthy, whole foods along with exercising are all excellent ways to help slow disease onset and progression. Keep up the good work Julia and thanks for setting such an excellent example!😎🥗⛷