Memory Unit
Dr. Víctor Blanco Palmero
Neurologist in charge of the Memory Unit
The Memory Unit offers the most appropriate assessment, diagnosis and treatment possibilities for each patient with cognitive disorders. In addition to memory problems, which are one of the most frequent cognitive disorders, our Unit is also specialized in the assessment of language, reasoning, attention, behavior and behavioral disorders, among others.
The most frequent diseases that can cause this type of disorders are:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Vascular dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Primary progressive aphasia
- Dementia with Lewy bodies
- Cognitive impairment associated with Parkinson’s disease
- Adult chronic hydrocephalus
- Cerebral amyloid angiopathy
These diseases begin with mild cognitive changes that slowly progressively become more pronounced and cause difficulty in daily functioning (e.g., working, driving, shopping, medication management, organization, communication) as a result of cognitive impairment. This situation is called dementia.
Our Memory Unit is made up of a multidisciplinary team of professionals, coordinated by neurologists, who carry out a comprehensive approach to the patient’s problems. A detailed clinical history and an exhaustive neurological examination will allow us to focus on the diagnosis, the prescription of the pertinent complementary tests and the detection of the individual needs of each patient.
We have the possibility of quickly performing advanced neuroimaging techniques (3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging), functional neuroimaging tests (positron emission tomography – PET-FDG; SPECT of dopamine transporters – DaTSCAN) and study of Alzheimer biomarkers (biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid and PET-amyloid) to achieve an accurate diagnosis.
Our goal is to achieve an early early diagnosis to establish a concrete prognosis, initiate an individualized treatment plan individualized treatment plan and the cognitive alterations identified, and to plan the vital decision making process.
Our commitment to the patient and his family is to provide continuous care, ensuring at all times the response to any evolutionary eventuality. The follow-up is done in coordination with other professionals who may be involved in the patient’s care (family doctor, internist, geriatrician or other specialist).
Although there are currently no curative treatments, there are drugs available that can improve some cognitive symptoms. Medications are also available for the treatment of mood disorders and behavioral disturbances, such as anxiety, depression or agitation.
We offer the possibility of participating in clinical trials that evaluate the efficacy of novel treatments that could benefit the patient (investigational drugs).
In addition to drugs, non-pharmacological measures are essential in the treatment of cognitive disorders. non-pharmacological measures are essential in the treatment of cognitive disorders. For this reason, we have a comprehensive neurorehabilitation program[VBP1] aimed at multidisciplinary intervention (neuropsychology, speech therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, sleep medicine, nutrition) according to the needs of each patient.
In the Memory Unit we accompany and inform the person and his family throughout the disease, adapting to their situation and their specific needs.
We have a multidisciplinary team coordinated by the Unit’s neurologists who, depending on the demands and level of affectation, will establish an individualized treatment plan in the cognitive, physical and functional spheres.
The Neurorehabilitation team of the Memory Unit is formed by neuropsychologists, speech therapists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. As a team focused on the person and his family, we offer:
– A treatment program with a coordinated approach of common objectives among the members of the Unit.
– Intervention on cognitive, physical and functional difficulties by each of the professionals involved in the treatment.
– Information on the expected course of the disease and guidelines on the management of any difficulties that may arise.
– Accompaniment and counseling for family members and caregivers.
– Individualizedproposals for stimulation, strategies and external aids for daily performance.
– Advice on technical aids and home adaptation.
The neurorehabilitation program is individualized and, therefore, the types of intervention required, the frequency and its modality (outpatient, home or video-call) will be considered according to the stage of the disease and the needs of the patient and his/her family members.
- Neurodegenerative diseases entail a series of neuropsychological changes that can affect cognition (memory, language, attention, planning, reasoning, perception, calculation, etc.), behavior (apathy, irritability, impulsivity, disinhibition, etc.) and emotion (anxiety, depression, etc.). It is necessary to make a personalized assessment and intervention since its characteristics, impact on quality of life and evolution are different in each patient.
- The neuropsychologist will initially be in charge of the study and detection of cognitive impairment in early or advanced stages, through a detailed and accurate assessment that will help in the diagnosis and will allow the evolutionary follow-up of the difficulties encountered.
- Cognitive rehabilitation treatment: the aim is to optimize recovery and maintenance of cognitive functions, management of behavioral changes and emotional coping with the disease.
- Speech therapy evaluates the patient who presents an alteration in language (aphasia), speech (dysarthria) or swallowing function (dysphagia), seeking to intervene therapeutically on the deficits identified through individualized and personalized treatments.
- We treat, therefore, those patients who experience a deterioration in their ability to communicate and express themselves, in word finding, comprehension or writing, in the articulation of language and in the ability to swallow, with different strategies according to the evolutionary stage.
o One of the aspects that are altered in people with cognitive impairment is their ability to perform activities of daily living (grooming, dressing, eating, etc.). The need to receive help for these tasks, which they used to perform automatically, often causes frustration and low self-esteem. From Occupational Therapy we accompany them throughout the evolution of the pathology, mitigating the loss of functional abilities. Our intervention adapts the tasks to the motor and cognitive abilities through guidelines and strategies that allow them to maintain the highest degree of autonomy at each stage of the disease.
o We also offer advice on technical aids and home adaptation, so that our users can manage at home with independence and safety. We modify and adapt the environment according to the needs of the person at all times, enhancing capabilities, minimizing risks and optimizing effort.
o Maintaining functional abilities has an impact on the well-being of the person and reduces caregiver overload. Our goal: to achieve the best quality of life for our patients and their families.
- Physiotherapy plays a fundamental role in maintaining the patient’s quality of life . Specific therapies will be carried out to prevent the progression of the lack of mobility, slow down the evolution of muscle stiffness and prevent musculoskeletal alterations; all this without forgetting the psychological and emotional benefits provided by these therapies and exercises.
- In addition, the physiotherapist plays an important role in advising the sick person and his or her relatives and/or caregivers in many aspects of daily activities.
Fall prevention program.
Contact with us
If you would like to receive information or request an appointmentPhone: +34 913875250 E-mail: info@neurologiaclinica.es
Our
Specialties
Equipment Memory Unit
Dr. Víctor Blanco Palmero
Neurologist
Adjunct Memory Unit
Elena García-Conde Pedemonte
Neuropsychologist
