Alzheimer's & Memory Disorders

The Alzheimer's and Memory Disorders Clinic is a clinic of specialists in Neurology, Geriatric Psychiatry, Neuropsychology, and Research. The clinic provides a diagnostic work-up for people experiencing memory problems.

The memory disorders clinic is in the MCG Department of Neurology at Augusta University in Augusta, GA on the fourth floor of the Ambulatory Care Building.

Patients who come to the clinic are seen by a team of professionals. They are first seen by the neurologist, Dr. Suzanne Smith, who does an initial assessment. Patients then have neuropsychological testing to determine the extent of their memory problems. The testing will also tell whether the patients may have other underlying medical conditions such as depression.

Patients who are exhibiting behavioral problems, such as outbursts of anger, may then be seen by a psychiatrist. While the patients are undergoing the testing, information from the local chapter of the Alzheimer s Association is made available to the family to inform them of local resources.

The families also have the opportunity to enroll in research projects. Dr. Shirley Poduslo is doing genetic studies on Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disease. (visit www.gru.edu/alzres for more information)

Once the patient testing is finished, Dr. Smith meets with the family again and recommends additional blood work or CT scans that may need to be done. Then a return visit is scheduled to go over the results and prescribe medications, if needed.

Referrals

Patients may be self-referred, or they may be referred by a physician.

Who should come

Patients having serious memory problems should visit the clinic. It is recommended that if a patient has had blood work or CT scans in the past year, the results should be brought on the first visit. Also a list of all medications is helpful to the physicians.

The clinic is a unique opportunity for patients in the surrounding area to have a complete evaluation for their memory disorders and for the families to have counseling and be informed about local resources and research.

Ten warning signs of Alzheimer's Disease:

(Taken from the National Alzheimer's Association)

• Memory loss
• Difficulty with familiar tasks
• Problems with language
• Disorientation
• Poor judgment
• Problems with abstract thinking
• Misplacing things
• Changes in mood or behavior
• Changes in personality
• Loss of initiative

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