Memory clinics: contributions and limitations

Concept: Memory clinics have developed since the early 1980s. Their main ob jective is the diagnosis of dementia for early multiple disciplinary manage ment Interest: Memory clinics serve an expert center, allowing early diagnosis i n the predementia phase and a precise diagnosis of the cause. Memory clinic s have revealed the frequency of psychiatric disorders, particularly depres sion and anxiety, leading to memory complaints. They provide a significant contribution for follow-up of dementia patients, announcement of the diagno sis, initiation of new treatments, prevention of "emergency hospitalization s" as well as postponement or preparation of institutionalization. They als o have an educative role, promoting better use of psychotropes and a better understanding of management approaches and incidents observed during the d isease course, Clinical research, which is not always sufficiently supporte d, is one of their important responsibilities. Limitations: The basic limitation for memory centers is the problem of the availability of qualified personnel. The lack of sufficient interest in tru ly early screening for Alzheimer's disease remains a problem to be solved.