Concerns about a decline in memory function can happen at any age, but frequently increase after age 50. Accurate and early diagnosis of neurological disorders that may cause impairment in memory and thinking is important since many symptoms can be secondary to treatable conditions.  Patients with concerns about their memory and the possibility of having a dementia have been evaluated and treated through the Department of Neurology at Allegheny General Hospital since its inception the early 1960’s.  Patients may be referred for imaging, laboratory studies, genetic testing, and neuropsychological testing as part of a thorough evaluation and for accurate diagnosis.  We provide care to patients with Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Pick’s disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, tumor, encephalitis, head injury, and alcohol abuse as well as other disorders that may cause patients to develop cognitive and memory problems.  Depending on the specific symptoms and the patient's eventual diagnosis, patients may be referred to one of our neurologists specializing in movement disorder, multiple sclerosis, or stroke. 

The most common cause of memory dysfunction after age 50 is Alzheimer's disease and currently this disorder is best evaluated clinically (i.e., by obtaining information about the patient's clinical history and ruling out other treatable causes of cognitive impairment).  Many normal older adults also have concerns about their memory, and neuropsychological testing is the most reliable way of differentiating between normal aging and the early signs of Alzheimer's disease and other causes of dementia.  Mild cognitive impairment, a condition in which an individual has more subtle deficits and is not showing impairment severe enough to warrant a diagnosis of dementia, has been shown to be a risk factor for the development of dementia.  This disorder also can be best identified with neuropsychological testing and patients should be followed over time, with serial testing, in order to better document whether they are developing a neurodegenerative disorder.  In addition, depression and anxiety, which are treatable with medication and other interventions, can cause memory and cognitive problems and can cause increased concern about one's mental abilities.  Accurate diagnosis and education help ensure that patients receive appropriate treatment.