Patient Information
- About Us
- MyChart Login
- What is MyChart?
- Pay Bill Online
- Phone Directory
- Medicare Annual Wellness Visits
- Major Insurance Plans
Physician Information
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care
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.
Related to: neurodegenerative diseases , mild cognitive impairment, dementia related to Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, chronic traumatic encephalopathy
The Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases at UT Health San Antonio is dedicated to transforming dementia care through patient care, education and advanced treatments in research and clinical trials.
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 advanced treatment in one location. We offer diagnostic services including advanced brain imaging in our state-of-the-art imaging suite and neuropsychological testing.
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
More
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 210-450-9700.
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: 210-450-9700
Fax: 210-450-6039