Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) represent one of
the most important public health problems of the 21st century.
It is estimated that more than 55,000 individuals in South Carolina suffer
from
dementia at
the present time with the prevalence likely to grow as the population
ages. The ADRD program within the Department of Neurosciences
at the Medical University
of South Carolina is uniquely poised to assist patients and their
families in a number of ways.
Diagnostic Assessment
The ADRD program offers a comprehensive assessment utilizing all
of the latest diagnostic advances according to the needs of each case.
We recognize that every patient is unique and that each case requires
an individualized assessment.
Services may include:
- Expert neurological examination and assessment
- Comprehensive neuropsychological
assessment
- State-of-the-art MRI scanning
- Positron emission tomography (PET)
- Cerebrospinal fluid assessment for
biological markers
- Genetic screening
- Metabolic screening
Therapeutic services
The clinicians of the ADRD program can guide patients in selecting
among the therapies currently available to treat dementia. In
addition, in collaboration with the MUSC Alzheimer’s Research and
Clinical Program (ARCP) (http://www.musc.edu/arcp/index.htm)
at MUSC, we can offer patients and their families the opportunity
to participate in a variety
of clinical research trials. These research trials make available
to our patients and families the latest therapeutic advances
in the field.
Personnel:
David
L. Bachman, MD, Neurologist and Program Director
Aljoeson
Walker, MD, Neurologist
Mark
T. Wagner, PhD, Neuropsychologist
Contact information
To make an appointment for a clinical consultation, please call
(843) 792-3223. A referral from a neurologist or primary care
physician is kindly requested. To obtain more information regarding research
opportunities,
please call Virginia Pooser at (843) 740-1592 ext. 37, or email
her at
pooservm@musc.edu. Studies
are voluntary and free of charge.
