Alzheimer's disease
Overview
The Smith Alzheimer's Center at SIU Medicine offers wrap-around care and support for families.
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear later in life. Around 7 million Americans, most of them age 65 or older, have dementia caused by Alzheimer’s.
Clinicians use several methods and tools to help determine whether a person who is having memory problems has Alzheimer’s disease. To diagnose Alzheimer’s, doctors may:
- Ask the person and a family member or friend questions about overall health, use of prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diet, past medical problems, ability to carry out daily activities, and changes in behavior and personality.
- Conduct tests of memory, problem solving, attention, counting, and language.
- Carry out standard medical tests, such as blood and urine tests, to identify other possible causes of the problem.
- Perform brain scans, such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission tomography (PET), to support an Alzheimer’s diagnosis or to rule out other possible causes for symptoms.
These tests may be repeated to give clinicians information about how the person’s memory and other cognitive functions are changing over time.
Common symptoms
Memory problems are typically one of the first signs of cognitive impairment related to Alzheimer’s. Some people with memory problems have a condition called mild cognitive impairment (MCI). With MCI, people have more memory problems than normal for their age, but their symptoms do not interfere with their everyday lives. Movement difficulties and problems with the sense of smell have also been linked to MCI. Older people with MCI are at greater risk for developing Alzheimer’s, but not all of them do so. Some may even revert to normal cognition.
Specialty care
Treatment options
If the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s, beginning treatment as early as possible in the disease process could help preserve daily functioning for a while. An early diagnosis also helps families plan for the future.
The Smith Alzheimer's Center offers Beyond the Medical Center programs which center on art therapy, music therapy, movement and more for those with Alzheimer's and related dementias. These evidence-based programs are provided at no cost to families and focus on improving the quality of life for both people with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.
Offers virtual care
Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer's Research and Treatment
For nearly 40 years, its employees have diagnosed, treated and educated Illinois families with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. In the past year, the center has served more than 2,600 patients and families.
