Glenner, George G., 1927-....

Physician and pathologist trained at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, who specialized in research regarding Alzheimer's disease. In 1982, Glenner was appointed research pathologist in the Department of Pathology in the UCSD School of Medicine. In 1984, he identified the molecular structure of the beta amyloid protein and its relationship to Alzheimer's disease. In 1987, Glenner and his wife Joy founded the Alzheimer's School of Dementia Care, which helped to train persons to care for patients with Alzheimer's disease. Glenner died July 12, 1995.

Biography

George G. Glenner (1928-1995) graduated from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1953 and studied surgery and pathology at Mt. Sinai Hospital of New York and Mallory Institute at Boston City College. He served as chief of the Molecular Pathology section and as chairman of the Department of Medicine and Physiology for the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences at the National Institutes of Health between 1958 and 1980.

In 1982 Glenner was appointed research pathologist in the Department of Pathology at UCSD School of Medicine. In 1984 he identified the molecular structure of the beta amyloid protein and its association with Alzheimer's disease and set the stage for future researchers. His subsequent research focused on enzyme treatments to cut the large amyloid precursor protein and prevent plaques from forming in the brain.

In 1982 Glenner and his wife, Joy, founded the first Alzheimer's Family Center to provide day care for Alzheimer's patients and respite for family caregivers. In 1987 they founded the Alzheimer's School of Dementia Care, which provided training for nurses and other health care workers.

Glenner was a member of the National Alzheimer's Association Board of Directors and of the Medical/Scientific Advisory Board. He also served as Medical Advisor to the Alzheimer's Association, San Diego, and he was the chairman of California State Alzheimer's Disease Task Force. George Glenner was named San Diego Citizen of the Year for 1985 by the SAN DIEGO UNION.

Dr. George Glenner died on July 12, 1995.