COGNITIVE DISORDERS CLINIC

COGNITIVE DISORDERS CLINIC - CLINICAL PRACTICE

The Cognitive Disorders Clinic of Aiginition Hospital operates under the auspices of the 1st Department of Neurology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens since 2004. The Clinic evaluates and follows people with cognitive complaints or cognitive decline. More than 1500 patients with cognitive impairment are regularly monitored. The Clinic is also active in research and teaching.

Dementia

The term dementia generally refers to a disorder of memory and / or other cognitive functions, resulting in difficulties and loss of autonomy in daily personal, social, and occupational activities. There are several types of dementia, the most common of which is Alzheimer's disease.

Most types of dementias gradually deteriorate due to progressive damage of the brain. For most of them, there is no definite cure, but only medicinal treatment that slows the disease’s progression and deals with mood, behavior and sleep problems that often arise.

Symptoms of dementia vary from person to person and may include disorders in:

• memory
• orientation in space and time
• ability to understand and express speech
• decision making / critical thinking
• performing mathematical operations
• behavior
• walking etc.

Mild cognitive impairment

Mild cognitive impairment is a state between normal cognitive function and dementia and may last for many years. People with Mild Cognitive Impairment show some decline in cognitive functions, but they need no help in their everyday functioning. Mild cognitive impairment increases the likelihood for dementia incidence in the future. 

Medical Evaluation - Procedure

The evaluation at the Cognitive Disorders Clinic includes the following, all performed on the same day:

• clinical examination by a neurologist,
• neuropsychological assessment,
• final consideration of the findings.

Due to this complete evaluation, the presence of the patient in the clinic could last several hours. If needed, patients are referred for blood tests, brain imaging with CT or MRI, lumbar puncture for measuring biomarkers, etc. In selected cases, hospitalization at the inpatient Neurological department may be necessary for further investigation.

Preparation:

• The presence of a caregiver is very helpful
• Social Security number
• List of actual medication
• Results of previous blood tests, CT/MRI scans, etc.
• Eyeglasses
• Early communication with the secretariat for an appointment.

HEAD OF CLINIC:

Nikolaos Scarmeas, Neurologist, Professor of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

ASSOCIATE PARTNERS OF THE DEPARTMENT:

Neurologists:

  Dimitra Kolovou

  Georgios Pantes, PhD National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

  Georgios Vlachos, PhD candidate National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

  Faidra Kalligerou, PhD candidate National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

  Argyro Daskalaki

Specialists for Neuropsychological & additional assessments:

  Eva Ntanasi, Psychologist

  Eirini Mamalaki, Nutritionist

  Fotopoulou Aggeliki

CONTACT NUMBER:

+30 210 7251315