Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care

Related to: neurodegenerative diseases , mild cognitive impairment, dementia related to Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, chronic traumatic encephalopathy

UT Health San Antonio brings the first comprehensive care center in South Texas dedicated to transforming the care of Alzheimer’s, dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases.

The Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases at UT Health San Antonio is a National Institute on Aging (NIA)-designated Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.

As a designated center of excellence for dementia care and research, we are dedicated to transforming dementia care for patients and their families.

We collaborate with other neuroscience specialists as well as our patient’s physicians and medical specialists to compassionately create the best treatment plan for our patients.

Patient care is provided at the Medical Arts & Research Center allowing our specialists to perform the testing, imaging and treatment in one location. We offer diagnostic services including advanced brain imaging in our state-of-the-art imaging suite, neuropsychological testing and supportive resources and educational programs.

From diagnosis to advanced treatments with clinical trials, our team is here to provide the care you and your family need.

Now offering video appointments! Call 210-450-9960 to make an appointment.

Symptoms

Dementia is a group of brain disorders resulting in memory loss, difficulty in communicating, concentrating and making decisions. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia where brain cells degenerate, causing a steady decline in memory and mental function.

As symptoms of dementia, like memory loss, can be related to normal aging or linked to other medical conditions, it is important to see a doctor for diagnosis.

Persisting and worsening memory loss
Difficulty thinking and concentrating
Difficulty making decisions, responding appropriately to everyday situations
Familiar or routine activities become difficult to remember or complete
Changes in personality and behavior
- Depression
- Mood swings, irritability and loss of inhibitions
- Changes in sleep habits
- Delusions

Diagnosis

Since there currently is not a single test to diagnose Alzheimer’s, a careful medical evaluation is needed. During this evaluation, your physician will also test for other conditions that may cause dementia like symptoms like depression, thyroid problem or a vitamin B12 deficiency among other conditions.

During this assessment, your provider will:

Review your medical history
Physical exam
Neurological testing
Psychiatric evaluation
Cognitive and neuropsychological tests
Genetic testing
Laboratory testing
Brain imaging

Treatment

Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but new treatments are available to slow the progression of the symptoms. Leading the discovery to develop a cure, prevention and reverse the effects of the disease, researchers at UT Health San Antonio are offering clinical studies to develop advanced treatments.

Participating in clinical trials, not only gives you access to the latest treatments, but also gives you the opportunity to be a part of the research and discovery to make lives better.

Causes

Age
- Risk increases greatly after the age of 65. Early-onset Alzheimer’s symptoms can begin in the 30s.
First-degree relatives with the disease
Down syndrome
Being a female
Mild cognitive impairment
Severe head trauma
Heart health
Lifestyle
Lack of education and social activities

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 210-450-9960.

To learn more on how we are transforming dementia care, visit BiggsInstitute.org.

Neurology

8300 Floyd Curl Dr., 8th Floor

San Antonio , TX 78229

Phone: 210-450-9960

Fax: 210-450-6039

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