Programs of
the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute

The Center for Memory and Brain Health at The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute focuses on early detection for dementia. By combining cognitive testing and risk-factor assessment, patients receive recommendations on how to minimize their risk for Alzheimer disease and other related dementias. Those who have already developed Alzheimer disease will receive state-of-the-art treatments.

We all know the importance of physical exercise, but our brains need a workout too. According to Dr. Majid Fotuhi, director of Memory and Brain Health at The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute, staying mentally active as you age can reduce your risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer disease. In fact, cognitive abilities can be increased at any age by following a few simple steps. So, here are a few fun ways to keep your brain in great shape.

Read, write, work crossword or other puzzles (Sudoku, jigsaw puzzles)
Attend lectures and plays
Enroll in courses at your local adult education center, community college, or other community group
Play games
Garden
Try memory exercises
Join dancing or other social groups
Volunteer in community groups and causes
Improve your physical fitness: walk for 30 minutes per day, three times per week
Eat a heart-healthy diet, with lots of fruits and vegetables (avoid eating too much)
Reduce stress and “be happy” (as much as possible)

You can read Dr. Fotuhi’s “10-step Memory Protection Plan” in his acclaimed book entitled “The Memory Cure: How to Protect Your Brain Against Memory Loss and Alzheimer's Disease.” The book is available through amazon.com. Click here for more information.

Alzheimer disease

Alzheimer disease impacts more than the patient. Families, friends, and caregivers all become victimized by this disease as they struggle to care for their increasingly helpless loved ones. The Center for Memory and Brain Health at the Berman Brain & Spine Institute provides the region’s most comprehensive support for all of those struggling with Alzheimer disease, both directly and indirectly.

Symptoms

Symptoms start with minor forgetfulness and short-term memory loss. As the disease progresses, individuals may suffer personality and behavior changes, including suspiciousness, anxiety, delusions, or hallucinations. Ultimately, Alzheimer disease destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn, reason, communicate, and carry out daily activities.

Diagnostics

The Center for Memory and Brain Health's multidisciplinary staff has the tools and the training necessary to accurately diagnose Alzheimer disease and related dementia disorders. They conduct complete mental and neurologic evaluations to gather information on medical and social histories, reflexes, motor skills, visual spatial abilities, and language, memory, and concentration skills for each patient. Blood test results and MRI studies are obtained in an effort to identify reversible causes of memory loss.

Treatments

The Center creates a wide-ranging treatment plan for each patient, in consultation with his or her private physician and through referrals to specialists. The goal is to provide the highest quality of life possible for both patients and their caregivers. Treatment strategies may include any of the following:

Diet recommendations
Exercises and mental activities
Nursing services
Rehabilitation services
Social services
Adult daycare centers
Referral to Alzheimer's Association for joining support groups

Many new medications are available for treatment of dementia, and each patient will receive the appropriate therapeutic agents at each state of his/her disease.

A Team Approach

At the Center for Memory and Brain Health, patients have access to the region’s leading neurologists, neuropsychologists, pharmacologists, physiatrists, geriatricians, and social workers.

Majid Fotuhi, M.D., Ph.D.,who received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and his doctorate in neurosciences at Johns Hopkins University, is an assistant professor of neurology at Hopkins and teaches at Harvard Medical School. He is the author of The Memory Cure: How to Protect Your Brain against Memory Loss and Alzheimer’s Disease and The New York Times Crosswords to Keep Your Brain Young: The 6-Step Age-Defying Program.