Memory Disorders Center
A team of neurologists, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, and other health-care professionals specially trained in diagnosing and treating memory disorders will perform evaluations for patients experiencing memory loss.
Diagnosing dementia is not done with a single test. During our free memory evaluations, the work up may consist of an MRI of the brain, laboratory tests and neuropsychological testing. However, each patient is treated individually and medical work ups will vary depending on the patient's past medical history and clinical presentation.
Once the evaluation for the patient has been completed, this multidisciplinary team will discuss the findings with the patient and/or family and formulate a treatment and management plan with one of our experienced psychiatrists. Patients will continue to be followed on a regular basis in the clinic based on their condition, clinical need, and their participation in research studies.
The team offers participation in a variety of research studies. These include investigational treatment studies for mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease, brain imaging studies utilizing MRI and PET scanning with state-of-the-art techniques and new radioactive tracers, genetic and family studies involving specific risk factors, and new approaches to make an early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Studies of older healthy controls are also ongoing and recruiting participants. The Memory Disorders Center is the main clinical component of the Columbia University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC), and is one of 32 specialized ADRCs funded by the National Institute on Aging, which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Contact
Saum Naderi at 646-774-8674
Eligibility
A telephone screening will determine if a patient is eligible for an evaluation.
Referrals
Family members, friends, and physicians may refer patients to the Center.
Financial Information
The research evaluation by the physician/neuropsychologist and subsequent research follow-up visits are free of charge.
Current Clinical Trials
Anti-viral therapy in Alzheimer’s disease
PI: Dr. Davangere Devanand, MD
Anti-viral therapy in Alzheimer’s disease is investigating the efficacy of treating patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with the U.S.A marketed generic antiviral drug valacyclovir. Valacyclovir at 2g to 4g daily, repurposed as an anti-AD drug, is being compared to matching placebo in the treatment of 130 mild AD patients (65 valacyclovir, 65 placebo) who test positive for herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV1) or herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV2). The study is a randomized, double-blind, 18-month Phase II proof of concept trial. This study is funded by the NIH.
For more information, please call 646-774-8698.
Valacyclovir for Mild Cognitive Impairment (VALMCI)
PI: Dr. Davangere Devanand, MD
Anti-viral treatment in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a Phase II, placebo-controlled, 52-week trial using oral valacyclovir 4 g/day in 50 HSV seropositive, AD biomarker-positive, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients (eMCI and lMCI). The trial will directly address the long-standing viral etiology hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) which posits that viruses, particularly the very common herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV1) and herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV2), may be etiologic or contribute to the pathology of AD. This trial will intervene at an earlier stage (MCI). We will compare the repurposed drug valacyclovir to placebo in patients with amnestic MCI (eMCI and lMCI) in a randomized, double-blind, two-arm parallel group 52-week pilot trial. Our Phase II trial will be the first antiviral drug trial conducted in MCI.
For more information, please call 646-774-8698.
Escitalopram for Agitation in Alzheimer’s disease
PI: Dr. Davangere Devanand, MD
This study involves a 12-week double-blind treatment trial in which adult outpatients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) who have agitation/aggression may receive escitalopram or placebo in combination with a psychosocial intervention. Participants will be closely monitored by physicians who specialize in memory disorders. After completing the 12-week double blind trial, participants will receive open treatment with Escitalopram for 12 weeks, if clinically indicated. This study is funded by the NIH.
For more information, please call 646-774-8698.
Development of Novel Measures of Cognition & Function for Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention Trials
PI: Dr. Terry Goldberg, PhD
This study aims to determine how effective different cognitive and functional tests commonly used in clinical trials really are in testing memory, executive function, and attention. Eligible participants are non-cognitively impaired, healthy adults (ages 60-85 years) who will be followed over the course of 12 months. Participants will receive either novel more experimental measures that are computerized or the older more established measures that involve paper and pencil tests. This study is funded by the NIA, a division of the NIH.
For more information, please contact Sophie Bell at (646) 774-8691.
Interaction of OSA and ApoE E4 on Risk of Early Onset Cognitive Impairment
PI: Dr. Nancy Kerner, MD
This study evaluates the effects that sleep problems have on memory in older adults. These sleep problems include obstructive sleep apnea or abnormal sleep patterns. This study consists of a single visit, where participants complete several sleep questionnaires and cognitive tests, discuss medical and psychiatric history with the study physician, and receive a blood draw for genetic testing. This study is funded by the Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research.
For more information, please contact Kimberly Espejo at 646-774-8641.
Assessment of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Elderly Persons with Cognitive Concerns Evaluated for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD)
This study evaluates the effects that sleep problems have on memory in older adults. These sleep problems include obstructive sleep apnea or abnormal sleep patterns. This study consists of a single visit, where participants complete several sleep questionnaires and cognitive tests, discuss medical and psychiatric history with the study physician, and receive a blood draw for genetic testing. This study is funded by the Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research.
For more information, please contact Kimberly Espejo at 646-774-8641.
