MEMORY CLINICS IN SWITZERLAND

Currently, eleven Memory Clinics (MC) in Switzerland offer their servi ces to patients, caregivers and family doctors. Their primary goal is the early diagnosis and management of dementia in elderly outpatients. Special emphasis is put on the detection of reversible causes of deme nting disorders. Diagnoses and medical, pharmacological, neuropsycholo gical and social treatment recommendations are established in a multid isciplinary consensus conference and communicated back to the referrin g physicians. The psychosocial therapies and supportive activities inc lude counseling, memory training for patients, neuropsychological reha bilitation, caregiver groups, relaxation and biofeedback training, day care centers, Alzheimer's Tanzcafe, and special vacations for dementi a patients. These activities vary from MC to MC according to the avail ability of resources. Research activities are an integral part of all MCs and range from the attempt to identify preclinical markers of Alzh eimer's disease to studies of neuropathological correlates of cognitiv e disturbances. Moreover, patients are encouraged to participate in st udies investigating new medications. MCs play an important role in the education and training of health care professionals and in raising aw areness and support in the general population.