Cognitive Disorders Division

Bob and Sandy Heimann Chair in Alzheimer’s Disease Research and Education

The Cognitive Disorders Division translates state of the art research into comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for patients and families coping with changes in cognition from a wide range of disorders.  The overall framework is on brain health:  optimizing brain function and quality of life at all stages of health or disease.   

Areas of Expertise

Addressing cognitive disorders from any cause, whether from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Lewy body/Parkinson’s, and Frontotemporal dementias or related to other conditions such as normal pressure hydrocephalus, cancer, autoimmune diseases and sleep disorders requires a comprehensive and integrated set of evaluations and services.  Both centers at the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and West Chester North integrate expertise from a  multi-discipinary group of subspecialty certified behavioral neurologists,neuroscience nurses, social workers, and sleep specialists at each visit. The team collaborates with other specialists, including geropsychiatrists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, and speech pathologists.  Specialty clinics include those for evaluating and treating normal pressure hydrocephalus, cognitive concerns after cancer survivorship, and primary progressive aphasia.   All clinics work closely with community partners, especially the Alzheimer’s Association, to ensure a continuum of support at home or in other care settings.

Research Activity

The UC Memory Center began enrolling patients in its first clinical trial in 2011, and plans are underway to continue to expand opportunities for people eager to participate in clinical research.

New studies we are currently exploring...

• The implementation of new diagnostics for Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, parkinsonian/Lewy body disease, and normal pressure hydrocephalus
• Clinical trials for treatment of agitation in Alzheimer’s
• Clinical trials for Alzheimer’s focused on anti-tau, and, anti-amyloid strategies
• Treatment of sleep apnea and modification of Alzheimer’s pathology
• Treatment of primary progressive aphasia
• Genetic and inflammatory signals in dementias
• The potential for lifestyle modifications to impact cognitive health
• Partnerships with primary care for maintenance of brain health and dementia prevention
• The clinical impact of cognitive disorders upon quality of life
• Role of cerebrovascular disease in cognitive impairment
• Wellness and brain health group visits

Collaboration with our partners within the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and the UC College of Medicine has already improved our understanding of cognitive aging.

The Cognitive Aging Program, which is led by Robert Krikorian, PhD, and is part of the UC’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, conducts research studies to identify mechanisms associated with age-related cognitive decline and to improve memory function in middle-aged and older adults. The ultimate aim is to prevent or delay progression to dementia. These studies involve interventions that can be implemented through lifestyle modifications such as dietary manipulation and supplementation as well as pharmaceutical agents.

By working closely with other clinical and laboratory experts, the UC Memory Disorders Center will continue to offer the most innovative, effective and compassionate care.