The memory clinic. A new approach to the detection of early dementia

Dementia is commonly diagnosed at a time of major domestic breakdown, when symptoms are severe and family and community patience has been eroded. In order to encourage early referral and identification of patients with treatable conditions, a Memory Clinic is held at the University Hospital in Cardiff. The clinic provides a service for general practitioners, patients and carers, offering a multidisciplinary assessment, early diagnosis, and the planning of an individual 'care package' for each patient. It also has an important educational function and acts as a valuable research resource. A review of 100 consecutive patients recently referred found that 44 had Alzheimer-type dementia and 14 had a probable vascular component to their dementia. This latter group of patients were younger, more likely to be male and had a shorter duration of symptoms. One-third of patients were not dementing, and presenting symptoms in 19 of these dramatically improved with appropriate management, particularly of depression. 43 patients had other previously unrecognised, but treatable, medical conditions. Thus, early diagnosis enables the development of a clear plan for care, existing drug treatment can be rationalised, and appropriate treatment started at a stage when it is potentially of most value.