St. John’s Memory Disorders Center treats multiple causes of dementia
By Thomas Habiger, M.D., medical director, St. John’s Memory Disorders Center

Alzheimer’s disease continues to have a major impact on health care. An estimated 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, but possibly only half have been diagnosed.

Those numbers over the next 40 years could reach 16 million individuals, which will have a staggering impact on the ability to provide health care to these individuals and Americans in general. The current estimate for direct and indirect cost is $148 billion, with current Medicare spending of $91 billion increasing to as much as $189 billion by 2015. 

It is an amazing testament to current research that only 25 years ago, the actual protein makeup of the amyloid plaque (beta-amyloid) was identified. In that time period, tremendous gains have been made in both the biology and genetics of this disorder.

This research has led to an array of various therapeutic targets, many of which are approaching or completing human trials. Although some have failed, there has been a number of new medications which are rapidly approaching possible use over the next five years. Another major initiative has been the attempt at identifying individuals at risk through the use of biomarkers and neuroimaging. These have led to a number of very specific tools that will also be clinically available to us in the next five to 10 years. All of this will dramatically change how we diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s.

Probably the most useful tool in treating this disease has been identified through epidemiological studies. These studies have identified high-risk individuals who could benefit from intensive lifestyle interventions. There is strong evidence to aggressively control various vascular risk factors such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension and diabetes, and limit alcohol, avoid tobacco and eat a Mediterranean diet, which may markedly reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.

Early diagnosis and intervention still has the ability to make a significant impact. St. John’s Memory Disorders Clinic is approaching its 10^th year at St. John’s Senior Center. The clinic’s goal is to increase awareness of dementia and aggressively treat dementia patients. As the only clinic of its kind in the region, St. John’s Memory Disorders Clinic includes the services of neurologists and a neuropsychologist.

Early interventions help not only with quality of life for the patient, but also the caregiver, and delay the onset of behavioral problems and the need for long-term care.

When a patient is referred to the Memory Disorders Clinic, a complete neurological and medical evaluation is conducted in order to identify causes of memory problems and find the most effective plan for each individual patient. The evaluation may include laboratory testing, a brain scan, a neuropsychological consultation, neuropsychometric testing, social services, and referrals for physical therapy or occupational therapy.

A referral for a sleep study may also be part of the evaluation to rule out sleep disorders. A report, including recommendations for treatment, is provided to the patient’s primary care physician after the evaluation. Nonmedical treatments such as behavior management and memory aids are also used.

We look forward to helping referring physicians for patients and family needs as we continue to improve diagnosis and treatment for memory-disorder patients. 

For more information about St. John's Memory Disorders Center, or to referral a patient, please call 417-820-2936 or visit our Web site.