The Addenbrooke's memory clinic assesses people with symptoms of memory or thinking, in particular people with different types of dementia.
We specialise in people with young onset dementia or rare forms of dementia.
We have specialist clinics for people with rarer neurodegenerative disorders, including Frontotemporal Dementia, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Syndrome.
We also offer a joint clinic with the genetics department for relatives of people with inherited forms of dementia.
Our clinics
Addenbrooke's Memory Clinic - assessment of people with memory or thinking symptoms, specialising in young onset and rare neurodegenerative disorders.
Early Dementia Clinic - for Frontotemporal Dementia and Primary Progressive Aphasia.
Disorders of Movement and Cognition Clinic - for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Corticobasal Syndrome and related disorders.
Dementia Genetics Clinic - For relatives of people with hereditary forms of dementia.
How long will my appointment be?
New appointments in the memory clinic are 60 minutes, and follow-up appointments are 30 minutes.
There is some flexibility, so if a longer time is needed then we can usually accommodate this.
The appointments may be longer in the specialist cognitive clinics.
What do I need to do before my appointment?
We will send you some questionnaires for you and someone who knows you well (e.g. spouse, child) to fill in. Please arrange for someone who knows you to come to the clinic appointment – their perspective on your memory and thinking is very valuable in our assessment.
If you are coming from a nursing home, please make sure the person who accompanies you knows your medical history, any recent changes, and has a list of your medications with them.
What happens when I come for an appointment?
When you arrive for your appointment we will invite you to have a memory and thinking test with one of our nurses or psychologists.
While you have the test, one of the doctors will talk to your relative about their perspective on your memory and thinking problems.
Once you have completed the test, you will be reviewed by one of the doctors.
What happens after the clinic appointment?
If you are given a diagnosis of dementia, we will arrange a post-diagnostic appointment with a specialist nurse. The nurse will go over any questions you might have about the diagnosis, and talk about possible sources of help and support for you and your family.
Sometimes we need to arrange further tests, such as a brain scan, lumbar puncture, or a neuropsychology assessment. If further tests are needed, we will discuss this with you during the clinic appointment.
Is there a possibility to be involved in research?
Yes. Almost everyone who comes to the clinic is eligible for one or more research studies.
The research studies range from providing a simple blood test on the day of a clinic visit, up to multiple visits as part of a clinical trial.
Taking part in research is entirely voluntary – you can do as much or as little as you wish to.
Key staff
- Dr Andrew Graham - Consultant neurologist
- Dr Clare Galton - Consultant neurologist
- Dr Renate Claassen - Consultant care of the elderly physician
- Prof James Rowe - Professor of cognitive neurology
- Prof John O’Brien - Professor of old age psychiatry
- Dr Timothy Rittman - Consultant neurologist
- Jacqueline Young - Dementia specialist nurse
- Teresa Carman - Medical secretary for the Addenbrooke's memory clinic and dementia genetics clinic
Telephone: 01223 217554
- Teresa Curtis - Medical secretary for the early dementia clinic and disorders of movement and cognition clinic
Telephone: 01223 217909 - Lucy Bowns - Research nurse
Useful resources
- Information and a video about day-to-day memory problems (not dementia), e.g. those cause by stress, low mood, or medications is available on the CUH neuropsychology webpage.
- Alzheimer’s Society (opens in a new tab) - For information about all types of dementia
- Alzheimer’s Research UK (opens in a new tab) - For information about dementia research
- Alzheimer's Research UK Kids (opens in a new tab) - For information to introduce children and young people to dementia
- PSP Association (opens in a new tab) - For information about Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Syndrome
- Rare Dementia Support (opens in a new tab) - For information about Frontotemporal Dementia
Referrals
To be referred to any of our clinics you will need to see either your GP or another health professional. They will usually carry out a screening memory test and some blood tests before deciding whether a referral to our services is appropriate.