User:Alireza0kargar/sandbox

= Dr. Maryam Noroozian =

Contents

 * 1) Early Life and Education
 * 2) Medical Education
 * 3) Neuroscience Contributions
 * 4) Academic Career
 * 5) Cinical Practice
 * 6) Continuation of Career
 * 7) Current Roles and Responsibilities
 * 8) Achievements and Awards
 * 9) References

1. Early Life and Education
Maryam Noroozian (مریم نوروزیان: məˈriːəm nɔːˈruːziːæn: muh-REE-uhm noh-ROO-zee-ahn) was born in 1962 in the city of Khomeyn, Iran, into a family deeply ingrained in the spheres of education and science. The influence of her family was pivotal in shaping her initial interest in academics and scientific studies. Her paternal grandfather was a reputable accountant, and her maternal grandfather, Dr. Hedayatollah Shafaei, was a distinguished physician who practiced in Hamedan and Khomeyn. Such a family background instilled in her a deep-seated interest in academic pursuits from a young age.

When Maryam was only three years old, her family moved to Sari, a city renowned for its natural beauty and serene environment. There, she spent her childhood and adolescence surrounded by a nurturing family and peaceful ambiance, which undoubtedly had a positive impact on her personal and academic development.

Following her family's academic inclinations, Maryam Noroozian proved herself an enthusiastic learner. She completed her high school education with a focus on mathematics and physics, demonstrating her brilliant aptitude and a predilection for logical reasoning and analytical thinking. However, the onset of the cultural revolution in Iran in the 80s led to a temporary closure of Iranian universities, bringing her academic journey to an abrupt halt. This period, which she recalls as one of the most challenging times of her life, resulted in a significant shift in her personal life. During this time, Maryam got married to Behnam Khosarvi and gave birth to her first child, Nima. After obtaining a natural science diploma, she decided to pursue a career in medicine, solidifying her commitment to scientific studies and healthcare.

2. Medical Education
·With the reopening of Iranian universities in 1985, Maryam Noroozian resumed her academic journey. She was accepted into medicine at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), one of the most prestigious medical institutions in the country. There, she pursued medical school, balancing her demanding academic responsibilities.

Noroozian completed her medical school in 1992. Concurrently, she completed a period of general medical service in the Savadkuh area of Mazandaran. This experience provided her with deep insight into the workings of the healthcare system and socio-cultural characteristics of the rural population in that area. It also exposed her to a variety of health conditions, adding to her medical knowledge and experience.

Noroozian's passion for understanding the human brain and nervous system led her to undertake a neurology residency at TUMS in 1993. She specialized in this field at Dr. Shariati Hospital under the expert guidance of Dr. Hajir Sikaroodi and Dr. Jamshid Lotfi. This experience marked the beginning of the stage for her subsequent contributions to the understanding and treatment of neurological disorders, particularly cognitive disorders.

3. Neuroscience Contributions
Her dedication and perseverance led her to choose an unconventional topic for her residency thesis: left-handedness and brain hemispheres. This was a time when neuroscience was still in its nascent stage in Iran. Dr. Noroozian conducted an extensive study using data from the National Organization of Educational Testing of Iran. She analyzed the prevalence of left-handedness among Iranian University Entrance Exam participants over a period of five years. Her study involved a significant sample size of 50,000 people, which gave credibility and depth to her research. This subject required a thorough understanding of brain functionality and a keen interest in human behavior and anatomy. This groundbreaking study was later published in the Cortex journal, marking a significant milestone in Dr. Noroozian's career. Her studies of laterality and left-handedness were followed by publication of her book, "Handedness: A Window to Explore the Neuroscience of Brain Lateralization" in 2014 by NOVA in New York.

Meanwhile, she participated in a clinical trial on rivastigmine—a drug used to treat symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. This encounter with rivastigmine spurred Noroozian's interest in cognitive neurology and dementia. In addition, she became fascinated by the intersection between neurology and psychiatry, leading her to concentrate her work on neuropsychiatry afterwards.

4. Academic Career
Noroozian transitioned into academia and embarked on her academic career at TUMS, where she worked at Rouzbeh Hospital after achieving a high rank in the specialized board exam in 1997.

Seeking to further her knowledge in the field, Noroozian traveled to the United States, where she visited dementia departments at three leading institutions: International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA), Northwestern University and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). During her visits, she closely studied the works of Sanford Finkel, Marcel Mesulam, and Bruce Miller—experts renowned for their contributions to the understanding of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. This experience exposed Noroozian to international standards and cutting-edge research in the field, enriching her understanding of cognitive disorders and dementia and helped broaden her scientific perspectives.

Upon her return to Iran, Dr. Noroozian used the knowledge she had acquired to fill the gap in dementia care in her home country. She founded the first memory and cognitive disorder clinic at Rouzbeh Hospital of TUMS in 2003, a pioneering initiative that significantly enhanced the diagnosis and management of cognitive disorders in Iran.

Dr. Noroozian's efforts to uplift dementia care in Iran didn't stop there. In 2005, she organized the first International Congress of Alzheimer's Disease in Iran with the presence of Professor Martin Price from King’s College London. This event was a significant step towards enhancing awareness and understanding of Alzheimer's disease in the country. The congress was instrumental in initiating Iran's participation in the Alzheimer Disease International (ADI) global project 10/66, in collaboration with the Alzheimer's Association of Iran.

5. Clinical Practice
Dr. Noroozian's work in the field of dementia, cognitive neurology, and neuropsychiatry, has significantly influenced the understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders in Iran. Her commitment to neuroscience research and her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of those suffering from cognitive disorders have established her as one of the leading female scientists in Iran. Her work includes clinical practice, pioneering research, institutional leadership, and innovative approaches to patient care and education.

Clinical Practice
As a practicing physician, Dr. Noroozian has provided direct care to numerous patients. Her primary areas of interest include Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, where she has contributed to advancing diagnostic techniques and therapeutic strategies.

She was among the first physicians in Iran to adopt a comprehensive approach to dementia care, considering the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of these disorders. This holistic perspective was not commonly used in dementia care in Iran at the time, making her an innovator in her field. In her practice, she also places a great deal of emphasis on family involvement in the care process. Dr. Noroozian pioneered the implementation of psychoeducation for the family of patients with dementia in Iran.

Research Contributions
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Noroozian has made substantial contributions to research in the field of dementia and cognitive disorders. One of her major accomplishments includes the publication of nearly 140 scientific articles in prestigious international journals.

Through these publications, she has made substantial contributions to the understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive disorders. These works have been cited and referred to by other researchers worldwide, reinforcing their importance and impact.

Educational Contributions
Dr. Noroozian has also made a lasting impact through her contributions to medical education. As a respected professor at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, she has educated countless medical students, residents, and fellows, many of whom have gone on to become leaders.

She has championed the integration of neuropsychiatry into the medical school curriculum, emphasizing its importance in a holistic understanding of patient care. Furthermore, her engaging teaching style and dedication to her students' learning have made her a beloved figure among her students.

Her visionary leadership led to the setting up of the Brain, Cognition and Memory Studies Institute and the launch of the Memory Clinics project in Iran (MCI Initiative) in 2018 (Ref).

This innovation was recognized as a model for raising awareness and understanding of dementia in developing countries.

Dr. Noroozian's contributions also include launching a two-year distance learning course entitled: “Cognitive Impairment in Clinical practice (CICP)” during the Covid-19 pandemic.

6. Continuation of Career
Dr. Noroozian's relentless pursuit of knowledge led her to New York University in 2009, where she furthered her studies under the supervision of Barry Reisberg. This learning period allowed her to refine her understanding of different aspects of Alzheimer's disease stages, a crucial factor in evaluating patient decision-making capacity and understanding the legal aspects of dementia.

In 2019, she undertook a fellowship at Örebro University in Sweden, where she studied under Lars Nyberg, Jonas Persson, and Reza Kormi Nouri. There, she conducted research on cognitive changes and brain imaging findings using the Betula cohort study data. Her research led to the publication of a significant paper about the brain structure and memory characteristics during the lifespan and transitioning from normal aging to prodromal stages of dementia.

One of Noroozian's unique contributions was her focus on neuropsychological evaluations of illiterate and low-educated subjects. Recognizing that most Alzheimer's disease and dementia neuropsychological tools have been designed for educated individuals, she identified a caveat in the diagnostic process of illiterate subjects. This led her to develop the PEACE test, a tool specifically designed to diagnose cognitive impairment in illiterate and low-educated individuals in Iran. Her work, in this case, showed an insightful understanding of the socio-cultural realities of the Iranian elderly community, leading to a more inclusive diagnostic approach.

7. Current Roles and Responsibilities
Currently, Dr. Noroozian serves as the Founder and Director of the Memory and Behavioral Neurology Division within the Department of Psychiatry at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). In this role, she oversees the operational aspects of the division, including patient care, research initiatives, training residents, fellows, and students from related fields, and protocol development. Her leadership in this division is significant given that it was the first of its kind in Iran, focusing on memory disorders and behavioral neurology.

Dr. Noroozian's expertise also lends itself to her role as the Head of the Dementia Committee within the National Iranian Neurology Association. Here, she collaborates with other experts to shape policies, guidelines, and practices concerning dementia in the country.

Her international responsibilities include her role on the Scientific Committee at the Iranian Alzheimer’s Association (IAA), as well as her involvement with the WHO Mental Health Gap Action Program (mhGAP) committee. These roles involve advising on and participating in international initiatives and guidelines concerning Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Noroozian also serves on the Medical and Scientific Advisory Panel (MSAP) of Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI). In this role, she contributes to the global understanding and management of Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, she is part of the WHO's Global Dementia Observatory (GDO) Knowledge Exchange peer review network and is a member of the International Advisory Board (IAB) in Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI).

8. Achievements and Awards
Recognition of her work has come from prestigious awards such as the Razi festival award, where she was named the best researcher for her academic performance and left-handedness study.

The Akhaveini Award was bestowed upon Dr. Noroozian as a recognition of her pioneering work as the founder and leader of neuropsychiatry in Iran. This is a significant honor acknowledging her leading role in the advancement of this specialized field.


 * She has compiled guidelines for the investigation and diagnosis of cognitive impairment and dementia in the network system and providing educational resources for dementia prevention for the elderly on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education
 * Establishing a neuropsychiatry fellowship at Tehran University of Medical Sciences
 * Funding the first cognitive neurology and neuropsychiatry research center in Iran
 * Set up the Scientific Association of Cognitive Neurology and Neuropsychiatry in Iran

Her significant efforts in the advancement of cognitive disorders and dementia treatment in Iran led to her receipt of the prestigious Metrodora Award in April 2022. This award specifically honors women with scientific leadership in medical sciences within developing countries all over the world, acknowledging her exceptional scientific and academic endeavors over 25 years.

9. References:
Category:Scientists Category:Iranian scientists Category:Cognitive neuroscientists Category:Neurologists Category:Neuroscientists by nationality Category:Neurologists by nationality Category:Neuroscientists