30 September, 2024

barnaclínic+ launches a new Memory and Cognitive Disorders Unit

barnaclínic+ now has its new Memory and Cognitive Disorders Unit, an innovative project aimed at the detection, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of memory problems and other cognitive disorders. This service, which has a team of highly qualified specialists with extensive experience, is designed to treat a wide variety of pathologies, with a comprehensive and personalised approach that allows for improving the prognosis and quality of life of patients.

WHAT PATHOLOGIES DO WE TREAT IN THE NEW MEMORY AND COGNITIVE DISORDERS UNIT?

“The unit focuses on assessing anyone with a cognitive disorder, from the earliest symptoms to be able to make an early diagnosis to second opinions for people diagnosed with neurodegenerative dementia,” says Dr Albert Lladó, a neurologist specialising in dementia and a professional at barnaclínic+. Among the most common pathologies treated by the team are Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and frontotemporal dementia, all of which require specialised management due to their complexity and progression.

“The unit focuses on assessing anyone who presents a cognitive impairment, from the earliest symptoms in order to make an early diagnosis to second opinions for people diagnosed with neurodegenerative dementia”

Dr Albert Lladó, a neurologist specialising in dementia

Cognitive symptoms can be diverse, including the most frequent memory impairment, but language disorders (aphasias) or behavioural disorders can also be relevant. “Neurodegenerative dementias are diseases that affect memory or other cognitive aspects and that progress over time. An early diagnosis is necessary to be able to carry out the best therapeutic intervention,” says Dr Lladó. 

COMPREHENSIVE AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH NEURODEGENERATIVE DEMENTIAS

The Memory Unit at barnaclínic+ has a multidisciplinary approach, made up of highly qualified neurologists, neuropsychologists and speech therapists, who work together to offer comprehensive care. “Our goal is to offer an accurate diagnosis and treatments tailored to each patient,” says Dr Lladó. In this regard, Dr Adrià Tort, a neuropsychologist and also a barnaclínic+ professional, highlights the importance of neuropsychological assessment in these cases: “This exhaustive clinical process not only assesses the patient’s cognitive functions, such as memory or language, but also their behavioural and affective functions, which allows us to identify the impact that the alteration of these functions has on the patient’s daily life.”

“Neuropsychological assessment is a comprehensive clinical process that involves the evaluation of a person’s cognitive, behavioural, and emotional function, as well as the impact of any alterations that may be found on the patient’s daily life activities”

Dr Adrià Tort, neuropsychologist

THE BEST DIAGNOSIS TECHNOLOGY FOR CUSTOMISED TREATMENT

The unit has the diagnostic tools necessary for a comprehensive assessment, including detailed neuropsychological examinations, advanced imaging tests and biochemical analyses. These tests, together with an expert clinical assessment, allow for an accurate diagnosis, which is necessary to initiate a personalised comprehensive treatment. “In each patient we carry out an initial clinical interview to evaluate the symptoms and a neurological examination, which will define the best tests to perform,” adds Dr Tort. This includes neuroimaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging to observe structural changes in the brain and neuroimaging tests in nuclear medicine to see brain metabolism or protein deposition. In addition, different biochemical biomarkers are available, such as the determination of specific Alzheimer’s disease proteins in blood. Together, this allows for a more accurate diagnosis and guides the development of personalised treatment plans that improve the quality of life of our patients.

PERSONALISED COGNITIVE STIMULATION

In addition to medical treatment, the new Memory and Cognitive Disorders Unit at barnaclínic+ pays special attention to cognitive stimulation. Based on the initial examination that allows the patient’s cognitive profile to be characterised and described, the unit offers guidance on intervention programmes and stimulation of cognitive function. This is a personalised resource designed to address the particular needs of each case, with the aim of maintaining or improving the patient’s cognitive function and optimising their functionality and quality of life.

SPEECH THERAPY INTERVENTION FOR LANGUAGE, SPEECH OR SWALLOWING PROBLEMS

Another fundamental pillar of the unit is the participation of speech therapists in the treatment of patients with dementia who have language, speech or swallowing difficulties. Dr Núria Montagut, speech therapist and professional at barnaclínic+, stresses that “speech therapy intervention is crucial in those patients who experience communication disorders (speech and/or language).” This intervention is not only personalised, but is adapted to each phase of progression of the disease, ensuring individualised care adapted to the specific and functional needs of the patient and their environment.

“Speech therapy is crucial for patients who experience communication disorders (speech and/or language)”

Dr Núria Montagut, speech therapist

Likewise, in the same unit, an evaluation and intervention for dysphagia can be offered for those patients who present swallowing disorders, providing tools and strategies so that swallowing is as safe and effective as possible, reducing the risk of respiratory complications.

THE BEST SERVICE AVAILABLE TO ANY PATIENT WITH MEMORY PROBLEMS OR COGNITIVE DISORDERS

“At barnaclínic+ we firmly believe in the importance of close and personalised care,” says Dr Lladó. “Our team is committed to offering not only the best treatments, but also support throughout the entire process, including support for families, who also suffer the consequences of these diseases.”

With this new Memory and Cognitive Disorders Unit, barnaclínic+ is positioned as a benchmark in the diagnosis and treatment of cognitive disorders, especially those of neurodegenerative origin, providing patients with rapid access to accurate diagnoses and comprehensive treatments that can make a significant difference in their quality of life.