UC Davis Alzheimer's Disease Center Opens New Clinic In East Bay

News from UC DAVIS ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE CENTER:

The UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center, one of only 27 research centers designated by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging, has established a new clinic in the East Bay in Walnut Creek.

The nationally recognized center brings with it leading-edge research and patient-care services aimed at advancing the understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, through comprehensive patient evaluations and cutting edge research focused on the long-term goal of finding a way to prevent or cure Alzheimer’s disease.

The center is located located at 100 North Wiget Lane, Suite 150, Walnut Creek.

The UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center East Bay Clinic is the only Alzheimer’s center in the East Bay that is part of an academic medical institution, according to Bruce Reed, center director and UC Davis professor of neurology.

“Although the science of Alzheimer’s disease is moving very quickly, the needs of patients and families are as great as ever,” Reed said. “We are very excited about our new space. It is convenient and comfortable, completely remodeled, and will make it easier for our clinicians to provide great care for patients. It comes at a wonderful time, just as we are starting up a trial of a new drug aimed at preventing the disorder.”

Reed is highly experienced in the diagnosis and management of age-associated cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer’s, less common neurodegenerative disorders and vascular dementia. His research uses sophisticated neuropsychological methods and advanced brain imaging to investigate factors that affect cognitive change in old age.

Other clinicians at the Center include:

• John Olichney, associate professor of neurology, an internationally recognized researcher who studies memory disorders using electrophysiological methods. A behavioral neurologist, he is expert in the diagnosis and management of dementing disorders;
• Antoinette Lopez, a Spanish-speaking family practitioner with extensive geriatric experience;
• Katharine Vieira, a nurse practitioner with 15 years of experience in helping families understand, manage and cope with the challenges that Alzheimer’s disease brings.

The center formerly was housed at the United States Veteran’s Administration facility in Martinez.

As part of its outreach to families facing Alzheimer’s in the East Bay, the clinic has launched a new Community Engagement Series. All of the lectures will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek.

The schedule for the lecture series is:
July 9: Reducing Fall Risk and Injury in an Aging Population: Christy Adams, UC Davis
Aug. 11: Sleep and the Aging Brain: Dr. Glen Xiong, UC Davis
Sept. 21: Alzheimer’s Behaviors: How Do I Manage Them? Dr. Glen Xiong, UC Davis

Tickets to the lecture series are available through the Lesher Center for the Arts ticket office. To purchase tickets, please call 925-943-7469 or purchase them online at http://www.lesherartscenter.org/ticket-office-information.html.

This series is made possible through the generous support of Sunrise Senior Living.

For more information about the Alzheimer’s Disease Center, visit http://alzheimer.ucdavis.edu, or phone 855-420-2612.

Photo courtesy of UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center on Facebook.