T
he Burke Rehabilitation Hospital
Memory Evaluation Treatment
Service, in concert with the Burke
Medical Research Institute, provides
screening and comprehensive assess-
ment and treatment for persons with
memory disorders.
Under the direction of Barry D. Jordan,
M.D., M.P.H., a Board Certified
Neurologist with expertise in memory
disorders, the program offers patients
and their families objective and well
standardized data on the extent and
nature of memory problems and other
aspects of cognition. Clinical staff
members include: John P. Blass, M.D.,
Ph.D (Gerontologist), Hani Dorn, Ph.D
(Neurospychologist), Jeffrey Escher,
M.D. (Gerontologist), Pasquale Fonzetti,
M.D., Ph.D (Neurologist), and
Joseph Hirsch, Ph.D, Psy.D.
(Neuropsychologist).
Utilizing state-of-the-art diagnostic tech-
niques and equipment, patients receive a
preliminary assessment followed by a
detailed neurological evaluation and
consultation. Soon after the evaluation,
diagnosis is discussed along with the
many treatment options available.
W
HEN IS A MEMORY
EVALUATION NECESSARY
?
Some types of problems with memory
are "normal" as one grows older. They
do not indicate that there is anything
wrong. Other types of memory problems
are the first signs of a disease. The
diseases include Alzheimer's Disease,
W
HAT REASONS CAN LEAD
PEOPLE TO HAVE
,
OR THINK
THEY HAVE
,
PROBLEMS
WITH MEMORY
?
Normal Age-Related Changes
Many changes in cognition occur
during aging but are not associated
with clinical disability. Indeed,
judgment improves with aging
(in the absence of brain disease).
Depression
A mood disorder can impair mental
function, partly because patients have
trouble concentrating. Excellent
treatments for mood disorders are
now available.
Alzheimer's Disease
This disorder is the most common cause
of clinically significant problems with
memory and other aspects of cognition,
particularly in the elderly. Research over
the last twenty years has led to the intro-
duction of medicines for this disease.
The Dementia Research Service at
Burke is actively involved in treating
people with this disease, both with
FDA-approved medications and with
newer medicines which are not yet on
the market in the USA.
We provide to eligible patients support-
ive psychotherapy and cognitive
rehabilitation.
Parkinson's Disease, stroke, depres-
sion, and a number of others. An
evaluation is definitely needed when-
ever memory problems interfere with
daily living such as work, routine
chores, shopping, dressing, bathing
and finances. Memory can often be
improved and progression of memory
problems slowed, if treatment is
started early enough.
W
HO WILL EVALUATE
THE PATIENT
?
The patient will be evaluated by a
physician, a neuropsychologist and a
clinical coordinator. The neuropsychol-
ogist will assess memory with verbal
and written tests. The physician will
perform an examination focusing on
the memory problem and illnesses
which can cause it. The clinical
coordinator will interview the patient
and family members to find out what
lifestyle issues have been created by
the patient's memory problems.
Results of the evaluation will be
discussed and a diagnosis will be
made. The entire evaluation takes
approximately 4 hours.
W
HAT MEDICAL
TESTS ARE REQUIRED
?
A brain scan (CT/MRI) and laboratory
tests help in the diagnosis of a memory
problem. These tests can be done
through the Memory Evaluation
Treatment Service or through your
own health care provider.
