Dementia describes a wide array of symptoms that may affect not only memory and thinking, but also other cognitive and social abilities.
The neurosciences team at Northwest Neurology Memory Clinic is dedicated to providing comprehensive, individualized, and patient-centered services to detect dementia early and lengthen one's quality of life and independence.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting more than five million Americans. Other types of dementia include vascular dementia, Lewy body disease, and frontotemporal lobar degeneration.
The prevalence and burden of Alzheimer's disease reinforce the need for early detection and intervention.
After a complete medical history and medications review, a neurologist specially trained in dementia and Alzheimer's disease will perform a dementia workup (as needed):
While there is currently no cure for dementia or Alzheimer's disease, early detection and treatment may help patients and their families by giving them more time to adjust to the diagnosis, better understand the disease, plan for the future, access needed supportive services, and employ non-drug, lifestyle-based interventions.
FDA-approved and commercially available medications are currently being used to treat various forms of dementia, as they may increase the presence of certain important chemicals in the brain (such as acetylcholine), and regulate glutamate, which is involved in learning and memory.
Other medications are used to treat symptoms, such as:
Clinical research for conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease is made possible through volunteers, trained research staff, and highly qualified physicians. Such trials lead to treatments that help to save lives.
To learn more about the criteria for such research, please contact the Northwest Neurology Research Center.
Your Northwest Neurology Memory Clinic team can help you and your loved ones cope with the symptoms through medication and activities (e.g., diet, exercise and cognitive training).
Our dedicated staff specializes in early, comprehensive, and patient-centered treatment for dementia and its causes. To request additional information, please call (847) 882-6604 today!