Healthy Brain Aging Initiative
Healthy Brain Aging Initiative at UMC
The Healthy Brain Aging Initiative (HBAI) is a new program University Medical Center is launching to address an issue that impacts many of us – cognitive health of aging individuals. The program consists of three centers providing comprehensive and multidisciplinary evaluations and treatments at LCMC Health.
- Dedicated care team: Neurologists, neuropsychologist, psychometrists, advanced practice providers, social worker, geriatrician
- Collaborative partnerships: Internal partnerships with LCMC Health primary care providers, neurosurgeons, radiologists, psychiatrists, dietitians, rehabilitation specialists.
- Research: Opportunities to participate in clinical trials and cutting-edge research.
- Access: Opportunities to personalize medical care for all members of our community.
Mission
To prevent cognitive decline and dementia, to reduce the burden of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
Four pillared approach
Prevention
We are
preventing cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, in
persons at increased risk. This includes persons with a family history
of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease or a known genetic risk, or persons
who are otherwise motivated to stay cognitively fit as they age. Our clinical
evaluations include a review of modifiable risk factors, mental status
evaluations, genetic and other diagnostic testing, and evidence-based
medical, lifestyle, and behavioral interventions to prevent cognitive
decline and dementia (personalized medicine).
Treatment
We are
treating cognitive decline and dementia, including a spectrum of disorders that
range in severity from cognitive complaints, to mild cognitive impairment,
to dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy
body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, primary progressive aphasia, and
posterior cortical atrophy). Our clinical evaluations include a review
of symptoms and signs, cognitive and behavioral assessments, brain imaging
and other diagnostic testing, and evidence-based medical, lifestyle, and
behavioral interventions to reduce the severity and burden of cognitive
decline and dementia (best practices).
Support
We
support the health of our patients seen in the prevention clinic (at risk for
cognitive decline and dementia) through a lifestyle coaching team who
promote adherence to the Mediterranean diet, aerobic fitness, cognitive
training, restorative sleep, and other brain healthy habits. We also provide
support to our patients seen in the treatment clinic (with Alzheimer’s and
related dementias) through a social worker led team, including information
regarding supportive services and resources in the community, and psychosocial
counseling to ease caregiver burden.
Research
We
research the causes, prevention, and treatment of cognitive decline and dementia.
As examples we are developing methods to predict Alzheimer’s disease
and related dementias in Louisiana, the Gulf Coast region, and nationally,
using electronic medical records registries. We are also using electronic
medical records registries to identify, evaluate, and track persons ages
90 and older with superior cognitive fitness, to gain insights into the
social, medical, and biological factors that promote successful brain
aging. We are also developing therapies to prevent cognitive decline and
dementia, through the new science of nutrition, gut microbiome, and health.