Neurologist:
Dr. Carol Lippa
Location:
219 N. Broad St.
(between Race and Vine Streets)
7th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102
To make an appointment,
please call 215-762-6915.
About the Drexel Memory Disorders Program
Led by internationally renowned neurologist Dr. Carol Lippa, the Drexel memory disorders program in Philadelphia offers expert treatment for patients with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
Our Philadelphia staff includes neurologists, pharmacologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and researchers.
Diagnosis of Memory Disorders
We begin your assessment by asking these questions:
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Is there a decline in thinking that is greater than that expected for age?
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What is the diagnosis? For example, is it Alzheimer's disease?
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What practical assistance is available? This may include medications to improve cognition and behavior or strategies to help manage problems.
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Are there caregiver issues to address?
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Are there research options available?
A general physical exam, neurological exam and mental status testing are conducted. Specialized tests may also be performed.
These include:
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PET or SPECT scanning
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MRI or CT scans of the brain
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Diagnostic CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) studies
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Neuropsychological assessment
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Electroencephalography
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Cerebrovascular studies
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Genetic testing or other blood testing
At the end of the assessment, we will discuss options for treatment, including enrollment in drug studies. The amount of follow-up depends on the wishes of the patient, family and referring physician. Some just wish a one-time evaluation. Many patients are reevaluated at three-month intervals when medication changes are recommended. Others are followed every 6-12 months.
Memory Disorders Research
Our goal is to see Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia defeated. To that end, we participate in clinical trails that search for a cure. If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, please call Carolyn Edwards, R.N., clinical care coordinator, 215-762-7783.
Caring for Those With Memory Disorders
Caring for a loved one with dementia is very stressful. Our dementia caregiver specialist, Elizabeth Gonzalez, Ph.D., is available to provide strategies and education free of charge. Her current research, funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research, looks at ways to enhance resourceful skills in family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease.
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