The Memory Clinic: A New Approach to the Detection of Dementia

Memory impairment is a salient and early feature of developing dementia, but in practice is often not recognised until it has reached an advanced stage. The operation described is of a Memory Clinic opened on an experimental basis at the Geriatric Research Unit, University College London, in 1983, w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of psychiatry 1987-03, Vol.150 (3), p.359-364
Main Authors: Van der Cammen, T. J. M., Simpson, J. M., Fraser, R. M., Preker, A. S., Exton-Smith, A. N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Dementia - complications
Dementia - diagnosis
Dementia - psychology
Female
Health Services for the Aged - organization & administration
Humans
Intellectual deficiency
Intelligence Tests
Medical History Taking
Medical sciences
Memory Disorders - etiology
Outpatient Clinics, Hospital - organization & administration
Physician's Role
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Referral and Consultation
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Summary:Memory impairment is a salient and early feature of developing dementia, but in practice is often not recognised until it has reached an advanced stage. The operation described is of a Memory Clinic opened on an experimental basis at the Geriatric Research Unit, University College London, in 1983, with the aim of identifying the causes of memory impairment in the elderly, with particular reference to the early detection of dementia. It proved possible to identify a group of people with early dementia who had previously been undiagnosed, and also to reveal deficiencies in the utilisation of existing services. Memory clinics would be a valuable addition to geriatric and psychogeriatric services.
ISSN:0007-1250
1472-1465
DOI:10.1192/bjp.150.3.359