Extraordinary UCSF patients exhibit

By Carol Hyman

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts -----

PHOTO/VIDEO & INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE:

WHAT: Exhibit of artwork by UCSF Memory and Aging patients, as part of the fifth annual International Conference on Prefrontal Dementia.

WHO: Several of the artists and their families.  Bruce Miller, MD, director of the Center for Memory and Aging; other experts in the field of neurology and dementia.

WHERE: Yerba Buena Gardens
701 Mission St. at 3rd St.
San Francisco

WHEN: Wednesday, September 6, 6-8 p.m.
CONTACT: For more information about the event, contact Carol Hyman at (415) 475-2557. For general information
about the conference go to: International Conference on
Frontotemporal Dementia

As part of the fifth annual International Conference on Prefrontal Dementia, an exhibit of art created by patients will be presented at the Yerba Buena Art Center on Wednesday, September 6, from 6 to 8 pm.

Dr. Bruce Miller, Director of UCSF’s Center for Memory and Aging has spent much of his career interested in art and dementia and has become renown for work in this field. 

“Neuroscience research in the past several decades has increased the understanding of human brain functions particularly emotion, perception, and behavior,” said Miller.
“An integral component of our research mission is to understand various complex functions of the brain. As such, I and many of my colleagues are fascinated by the creative brain and hope to gain a greater understanding of the creative mind.

“From the study of individuals with dementia and autism, degeneration of certain areas of the brain is thought to release previously dormant cognitive abilities in other areas of the brain with amazing results,” he continued “We have met individuals who never created art before becoming ill and are now making wonderful, intriguing artwork in the face of their illnesses.

The artists whose work will be on exhibit include Victor Wightman, Ann Adams, Jancy Chang and Peggy Chun.

To read information about these artists and to see their work go to

Memory. Several of the artists and members of their family will be on hand for the exhibit, as well as Dr. Miller and experts in art and dementia.