SUMMARY
Eric G. Tangalos, M.D., has been a part of the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center since its inception in 1986-87. Dr. Tangalos has served in a variety of roles and was responsible for the recruitment of the first cohort of volunteers to research the development of mild cognitive impairment. He remains engaged in the follow-up of volunteers in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging.
Focus areas
Dr. Tangalos' contributions to the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging as an internist and geriatrician have included:
- Developing a direct link to a community population that is aging in place.
- Providing aged and frail study volunteers with access to skilled care nursing care and assisted living facilities.
- Translating research advances in Alzheimer's disease to clinical care and educating geriatric specialists about findings.
Significance to patient care
In the early 1990s, Dr. Tangelo helped collect and analyze the first normative data on cognition for people over age 75. Prior to that time, there was no information on what to expect from a population that was quickly aging across the United States.
His team's work also included the first description of mild cognitive impairment. This terminology is now linked to the classification of mild cognitive impairment of Alzheimer's disease, the most common transition phase for advancing disease.
Professional highlights
- Course director, Project ECHO, Alzheimer's Association, 2015-present.
- Jim Flood Memorial Alzheimer's Disease Distinguished Lectureship, Saint Louis University, 2009.
- Delegate appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty, White House Conference on Aging, 2005.
- Fourth Annual Johns Hopkins Award for Excellence in Dementia Care, 2005.
- Alzheimer's Association.
- Member, executive committee 2002-2005.
- Member, national board, 1997-2005.
- Member appointed by President Bill Clinton, advisory committee, White House Conference on Aging, 1995.
- President, American Medical Directors Association, 1992-1994.
- Founding member, American Telemedicine Association, 1993.