What is a cognitive disorder?
Cognitive disorders are illnesses that affect memory. Dementias are primarily degenerative brain illnesses that result in loss of functions such as memory and language. When a person develops memory problems, the main issue is to determine whether they may have developed an early dementia, whether their symptoms are due to some other physical problem, or whether their symptoms are due to other problems such as depression and anxiety.
What does our service offer?
Most older patients with poor memory will be referred by their general practitioner to old age psychiatry services who will assess, diagnose and treat the condition. Some younger patients and those with unusual presentations of cognitive disorders may be seen by a neurologist.
Patients and relatives are reviewed in an outpatient clinic appointment. Clinical review may be followed by further investigations such as brain scans, neuropsychology assessment (detailed testing of memory) and blood tests if needed.
Drug treatment of dementias is typically achieved by referring patients to old age psychiatry services. This is as multi-disciplinary dementia teams in the United Kingdom are typically based in psychiatry services and provide care including medications in some types of dementia and support for other issues such as power of attorney, respite care and outreach services.
Consultant Neurologists:
Dr John Greene
Dr Claire Gall
Consultant Neuropsychologists:
Dr Sharon Mulhern
Dr Steve Meldrum
Dr Ruth Sumpter
Dr Max Alford