Overview

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among older adults. MILD COGNITIVE impairment (MCI) is conceptualized as a boundary or transitional state between aging and dementia. Memory deficit is both the usual complaint in MCI and the cardinal feature of Alzheimer disease (AD). The major focus of MCI research has been to distinguish individuals who will progress to AD from those who will not. Interest in MCI has been stimulated by the hope that pharmacologic intervention at this stage may delay or prevent progression to AD.10 Multicenter trials of cholinesterase inhibitor drugs and other agents with putative benefit for AD already are being conducted in individuals with MCI.

The diagnosis of MCI is established by (1) evidence of memory impairment, (2) preservation of general cognitive and functional abilities, and (3) absence of diagnosed dementia. Mild cognitive impairment is staged clinically at the 0.5 level on the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale. The perceptions of a knowledgeable informant regarding an individual’s cognitive abilities in everyday functioning, on the other hand, have been shown to be sensitive and reliable for early dementia detection.

Psychaitry Department at the Alabama Clinics offer hopes through screening programs; early diagnosis; delaying progression by treating memory, cognitive problems and behavioral disturbances at an early stage; supporting and providing education to the caregivers and the public; and in conducting cutting-edge research. Alabama Clinics multidisciplinary approach incorporates neurology, psychiatry, geriatrics, diagnostic imaging, counseling, social support and referral to appropriate community resources to develop successful and effective treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia and memory disorders.

Overdependence on cognitive test performance and underutilization of knowledgeable informants may result in failure to detect very mild dementia in many individuals who nominally meet MCI criteria. Progression of patients with MCI to “diagnosable AD” may be confounded because the threshold for dementia diagnosis. Therefore, the early diagnosis of MCI is a complex process, and here, our specialist psychiatrist Dr. Meghani comes with over 20 years of experience when it comes treating and diagnosing patients with memory disorders, and Alzheimer’s.

Why Is Early Diagnosis An Excellent Idea?

Alzheimer’s disease is just one of a number of potential reasons an individual may experience memory loss. Side effects of medications, depression and anxiety, endocrine problems, stroke, vision or hearing loss, cardiac or pulmonary disorders or vitamin deficiencies can also trigger memory problems. An early diagnosis can prevent the person from vulnerability to be prone to AD, MCI or Memory Problems.

Diagnosis

Alabama Clinics team includes psychiatrists, neurologists, a neurophysiologist, a geriatric psychiatrist and other clinicians who are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of the following conditions:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Frontotemporal dementia
• Lewy Body dementia
• Vascular dementia
• Cognitive effects of stroke
• Mild cognitive impairment
• Age-related memory loss

Alabama Clinics have carefully designed a program for the early diagnosis of AD, and memory related problem that includes:

• Repeat questions
• Misplace possessions
• Are at a loss for words
• Forget recent events, conversations and names of friends or relatives
• Confuse sense of direction and time and become lost in familiar places
• Have difficulty performing chores or using appliances and tools
• Have difficulty handling finances
• Show changes in mood and/or personality

It is therefore a great idea for person aged 49 or more to have a screening to suspend the impact of age-related memory problem.

A group screening or program can also be designed for critical-nature businesses. Please contact the Alabama Clinics for the special arrangements. All the data and results are kept strictly confidential.