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Dementia

Neurology Diagnostics, Inc. Our Services Dementia

Neurology Diagnostics, Inc.

Adult Neurology & Electrodiagnostic Medicine located in South Dayton, Dayton, OH

Dementia is a complex and challenging condition, not only for those diagnosed but also for their loved ones. Witnessing the drastic changes in someone you care about can be heartbreaking. At Neurology Diagnostics, Inc., led by Dr. Joel Vandersluis, we are committed to providing comprehensive care and support for families affected by dementia in North and South Dayton, Ohio.

Expert Diagnosis and Advanced Treatments

Our team specializes in the latest diagnostic techniques and treatments for dementia, ensuring that patients receive the most up-to-date care based on current best practices. We follow the Alzheimer’s Association Dementia Care Practice Recommendations, which emphasize personalized care plans, effective communication strategies, and support for caregivers.

Participate in Clinical Trials

We offer patients the opportunity to participate in clinical trials for new therapies, giving them access to cutting-edge treatments and contributing to the advancement of dementia care. Our clinical trials are designed to explore innovative approaches to managing and potentially slowing the progression of dementia.

Dementia Q & A

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a condition characterized by a decline in cognitive function, impacting your ability to:

  • Think
  • Remember
  • Solve problems
  • Reason
  • Communicate
  • Focus
  • Pay attention

In addition to cognitive challenges, dementia can affect your emotions. You might experience increased irritability or mood swings. Some individuals may undergo significant personality changes, becoming more aggressive or confrontational.

Stages of Dementia

  • Early-Stage Dementia: Interferes with daily activities but isn’t immediately disabling. Patients may still manage most tasks independently.
  • Progressive Dementia: As the disease advances, individuals lose the ability to care for themselves, becoming increasingly dependent on family or caregivers.
  • Advanced Dementia: In the later stages, people often fail to recognize close family members or may confuse them with others.

Understanding these stages can help families and caregivers provide the appropriate support and care needed at each phase.

What Causes Dementia?

Dementia develops when the nerve cells (neurons) in your brain stop functioning properly, leading to the loss of connections between them. While some neuron loss is a natural part of aging, dementia involves a more significant decline that affects daily life.

Common Causes of Dementia

  • Alzheimer’s Disease: The most common cause, characterized by plaques and tangles in the brain.
  • Vascular Dementia: Often results from strokes or other conditions that impair blood flow to the brain.
  • Lewy Body Dementia: Associated with abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies.
  • Frontotemporal Disorders: Involve the degeneration of nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.
  • Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE): Linked to repeated head injuries.
  • Huntington’s Disease: A genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain.
  • Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: A rare, degenerative brain disorder.

Risk Factors

Dementia is more likely to develop if you have certain risk factors, including:

  • High blood pressure
  • Poorly managed diabetes
  • Atherosclerosis (narrowed arteries)
  • History of strokes

Understanding these causes and risk factors can help in early detection and management of dementia.

How is Dementia Treated?

Currently, there are no treatments that can completely stop or reverse neurodegenerative diseases or progressive dementia. However, certain medications can help stabilize or even improve memory and cognitive functions in some patients. These include:

  • Galantamine
  • Donepezil
  • Rivastigmine
  • Memantine (often added as the disease progresses)

Managing Symptoms and Underlying Conditions

Treating underlying conditions and promoting overall health are crucial. Some medications can help alleviate specific symptoms temporarily. Multidisciplinary care is essential for providing the best quality of life for people with dementia.

Clinical Trials at Neurology Diagnostics, Inc.

At Neurology Diagnostics, Inc., we offer opportunities to participate in clinical trials aimed at finding better treatments for dementia. Our current studies focus on Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia:

  • Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): For individuals under 90 years old with mild cognitive impairment or early-onset Alzheimer’s.
  • Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease: For individuals aged 55-80 with Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Agitation Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease: For individuals aged 65-90 with probable Alzheimer’s disease experiencing significant agitation or aggression.

Participating in these trials provides access to cutting-edge treatments and contributes to the advancement of dementia care.

Contact Us Today

If dementia is affecting your family, don’t hesitate to reach out. Call Neurology Diagnostics, Inc. today to learn more or book an appointment using our online form. Let us help you navigate this challenging journey with expert care and compassionate support.

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