The Potamkin family, in partnership with the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and American Brain Foundation (ABF), would like to congratulate Dr. Francisco Lopera Restrepo, this year’s recipient of The Potamkin Prize.

As the Director of the Neuroscience Group of Antioquia, Dr. Lopera has worked in both basic and clinical neurosciences, focusing on developmental and neurodegenerative disorders. As a Behavioral Neurologist in the Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Neurology Service at the Medical School of the University of Antioquia, he has assisted patients with Alzheimer's Disease, CADASIL, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Frontotemporal Dementia, and other forms of dementia. He also plays a role in assisting patients with ADHD, language impairment, conduct disorders, and other neurodevelopmental problems.

Dr. Lopera has been working with large groups of families with Familial Alzheimer's Disease (FAD) due to a common PSEN1 mutation (E280A) for over 30 years. This endeavor has ultimately led to his position as Principal Investigator in Colombia for the collaborative project with Banner Health and Genentech for prevention therapy in FAD. He has expertise as a Behavioral Neurologist, studying both adults and children, and performing research on various neurodegenerative and developmental disorders in these populations. He mentors students at the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) and collaborates on the RED-LAT project, overseeing his team in Medellín.