Memory Disorders Center

The Memory Disorders Center at Neurology Associates provides diagnostic and therapeutic services and treatment for patients suffering from Dementia and Dementia related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.

In general terms, Dementia describes a host of symptoms caused by disorders that affect the brain, resulting in serious loss of cognitive ability. While more common in the elderly, Dementia can occur at other stages of adulthood.

It presents first as forgetfulness, but ultimately, this degradation of cognitive ability goes beyond the symptoms of normal aging. Patients lose problem solving skills, control over emotions, memory, the ability to speak and much more. Everyday actions like eating, dressing or driving prove too difficult. Personality changes are common in Dementia patients, as are hallucinations.

Memory loss or mild cognitive impairment in general does not mean a person has Dementia. However, when a patient is diagnosed with Dementia, the condition progressively worsens, shortening the lifespan of the patient.

The most common Dementia is Alzheimer's disease, which accounts for approximately 50 to 70 percent of all cases of Dementia in the elderly. Dementia can also be caused by various other diseases, such as cerebrovascular disease and stroke. There is no way to prevent the onset of most causes of Dementia.
Other conditions that can lead to Memory Disorders include:

• Parkinson's disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Huntington's disease
• Pick's disease
• Progressive supranuclear palsy
  
• Infections that affect the brain, such as
  • HIV+infection
  • AIDS
  • Lyme disease

 

Symptoms of Memory Disorders include:

• Loss of speech/inability to name objects
• Misplacement of personal items
• Memory loss
• Emotional control
• Perception
• Difficulty with routines, calculating, or problem solving
• Loss of joy or desire for familiar activities
• Hallucinations
• Agitation
• Incontinence
• Swallowing Problems

 

The Memory Disorders Center at Neurology Associates specializes in diagnosing and providing treatment for patients with Dementia. Our expert medical staff takes a patient history, conducts a physical exam (including a neurological exam), and performs mental function tests.

Additional tests may be needed to exclude other diseases that can present as a memory disorder.
Such diseases may include the following:

• Thyroid disease
• Vitamin deficiency
• Brain tumor
• Intoxication from medications
• Chronic infection
• Anemia
• Severe depression
• Treatment

After careful assessment, the physicians at Neurology Associates determine the level of care required and the best course of therapy available for each patient. There is no cure for Dementia, and the resulting brain damage is irreversible. However, there are therapies available to improve symptoms or slow the progression of the disease.

To schedule an appointment to discuss various therapeutic options for Dementia and/or Alzheimer’s disease, contact Neurology Associates at 828-485-2476. We are conveniently located in Hickory, Taylorsville, Denver and Lincolnton, Western North Carolina, just a short drive from Asheville, Statesville and Morganton.