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New Drugs
Medication
Existing drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors, available in 3 products, are prescribed by specialists. Recently their use has been restricted by the NICE guidelines on the grounds that, while they may slow the progress of the dementia illnesses, they are not considered to be cost effective. The Memory Assessment Centre's purpose is to test new drugs that are being developed to combat the common forms of dementia.
What happens at the Memory Assessment Centre?
Initially, you will be assessed by the clinic Doctor and Nurses. If the medical condition, dementia, is suspected and the patient and their family are willing to proceed to a clinical trial, a brain scan and further tests will be carried out as appropriate. We offer regular follow-up assessments to monitor memory function and provide support and advice in a friendly atmosphere. The G.P. will be fully advised as to the protocol.
Memory testing is carried out by a multi-disciplinary team which includes Professor Eastwood, who is a Consultant in the field of dementia.
Taking part in the trial is always voluntary and remains so throughout any study. With no drugs now being available for new cases of early stage dementias through the NHS, many choose to take part in trials in order to improve their chances of benefiting from new medication and so delay the progress of the disease.
This service is free if charge. There are no long waiting lists and assessments can be carried out quickly, usually within one month.
Medication
Existing drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors, available in 3 products, are prescribed by specialists. Recently their use has been restricted by the NICE guidelines on the grounds that, while they may slow the progress of the dementia illnesses, they are not considered to be cost effective. The Memory Assessment Centre's purpose is to test new drugs that are being developed to combat the common forms of dementia.
What happens at the Memory Assessment Centre?
Initially, you will be assessed by the clinic Doctor and Nurses. If the medical condition, dementia, is suspected and the patient and their family are willing to proceed to a clinical trial, a brain scan and further tests will be carried out as appropriate. We offer regular follow-up assessments to monitor memory function and provide support and advice in a friendly atmosphere. The G.P. will be fully advised as to the protocol.
Memory testing is carried out by a multi-disciplinary team which includes Professor Eastwood, who is a Consultant in the field of dementia.
Taking part in the trial is always voluntary and remains so throughout any study. With no drugs now being available for new cases of early stage dementias through the NHS, many choose to take part in trials in order to improve their chances of benefiting from new medication and so delay the progress of the disease.
This service is free if charge. There are no long waiting lists and assessments can be carried out quickly, usually within one month.
The Memory Assessment Centre
The Memory Assessment Centre's purpose is to test new drugs and carry out clinical drug trials. It has recently been set up in Plymouth to serve the South West. Its sister clinics in Bradford and Blackpool have been running very successfully for years. The Bradford clinic was opened in 1988 and the one in Blackpool started in 2000. The group is the largest in the country researching new drugs for dementia.
Every new drug has to be put through a trial before it receives a licence. The trials are strictly regulated and, at a time when licensed drugs for early stage dementia are not prescribed, in accordance with recent NICE guidelines, they do provide an additional option for the many thousands of people affected by the disease.
The Memory Assessment Centre's purpose is to test new drugs and carry out clinical drug trials. It has recently been set up in Plymouth to serve the South West. Its sister clinics in Bradford and Blackpool have been running very successfully for years. The Bradford clinic was opened in 1988 and the one in Blackpool started in 2000. The group is the largest in the country researching new drugs for dementia.
Every new drug has to be put through a trial before it receives a licence. The trials are strictly regulated and, at a time when licensed drugs for early stage dementia are not prescribed, in accordance with recent NICE guidelines, they do provide an additional option for the many thousands of people affected by the disease.