Memory Disorders Center

Drexel University College of Medicine
Memory & Cognitive Disorders Program
Across from Hahnemann University Hospital
219 North Broad Street (between Race and Vine), 7th Floor
Phone: (215) 762-6915

Free Caregiver Training

We offer free training for caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease is stressful, and many difficult situations arise. Elizabeth Gonzalez, Ph.D., is a Drexel University clinical researcher with interest in caregiver stress and health outcomes. She is working with Dr. Carol Lippa on an NIH-funded research training program that provides care strategies for caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Caregivers are invited to participate in this free program. On-site care for the Alzheimer’s disease patient is provided during the sessions. For more information, call Dr. Gonzalez at 215-762-8331.

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Clinical Trials

We will be recruiting subjects for a study to look at an add-on medication for Alzheimer’s disease. Study subjects need to be generally healthy and on a stable dose of a cholinesterase inhibitor (aricept/donepezil, exelon/rivastigmine, or reminyl/galamtamine/razadyne). This study provides an additional medication that might provide additional benefit. Patients must:

1. Have mild or moderate Alzheimer’s disease and wish to participate

2. Have a caregiver willing to participate

3. Be on a cholinesterase inhibitor and NOT on memantine/namenda

4. Be willing to participate in 10 visits over 58 weeks. Visits include EKGs and blood work in addition to cognitive and neurological testing.

All study costs and related medical care are free. If you are interested in learning more about the study, call the Neurology Department at 215-762-4761 and leave your contact information for Sheila Urban or Andi Rosso.

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We will be recruiting subjects for a study to look at a seizure medication for patients with seizures and cognitive impairment. Seizure medications are often poorly tolerated in those over 60. We are looking at an FDA-approved medication to determine whether its side effect profile is more favorable than that of other seizure medications in the elderly with cognitive impairment.

Study subjects need to be generally healthy, but have cognitive impairment and seizures, and be 60 years or older. Patients may already be on anticonvulsants. Subjects must:

1. Have either mild cognitive impairment or dementia and wish to participate

2. Average four or fewer seizures a month

3. Be willing to participate in three visits over three months

4. Have a caregiver or informant

Overview

Since its inception nine years ago, the Drexel University College of Medicine (DUCOM) Memory and Cognitive Disorders Program has developed major focuses on research, clinical care, and education of medical students, residents and physicians in practice in the community. Our long-term goal is to see Alzheimer's disease and the related dementias, including Pick's disease defeated.

Currently, the DUCOM clinical program networks physicians, allied healthcare workers and clinical researchers from the Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry, and Geriatrics, and the School of Nursing and Health Professions. Residents and Fellows from clinical departments rotate through the Memory Disorders Center, which is located across the street from Hahnemann University Hospital. Basic science faculty members are based at Drexel University and DUCOM. Our basic science group spans the Dementia Brain Bank, which Dr. Lippa directs, and the Drexel University Departments of Bioinformation Engineering, and Bioscience and Biotechnology.

We are consolidating our efforts by developing a major cognitive disorders program focusing on individualized intervention. Our clinical program distinguishes itself by being responsive, comprehensive and clinically useful, and because it emphasizes non-Alzheimer's as well as Alzheimer's dementias and milder forms of memory loss. Our long-term overall plan is to develop effective methods for determining which patients will benefit from specific interventions, and to develop better interventions for cognitive problems of the elderly.