Dr. Hascup at work in the lab

Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer's Research and Treatment

Your partner against dementia.

The Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer's Research and Treatment at SIU Medicine provides clinical care, research and community programs. For nearly 40 years, its employees have diagnosed, treated and educated Illinois families with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. In the past year, our center has served more than 2,600 patients and their families. Learn more about our mission.

RESEARCH, PATIENT CARE

Gift offers renewed hope

A major gift to Southern Illinois University School of Medicine will transform the health care of people throughout Illinois and beyond. Dale and Deborah Smith recently donated a substantial financial gift to the Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders at SIU Medicine to expand research, enhance programming and improve care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and assist their caregivers.

Learn more

PATIENT CARE

Beyond the Medical Center

While the researchers at the Smith Alzheimer’s Center investigate new and better ways to prevent, slow, and cure dementia-related diseases, our team is caring for and supporting patients and their families through free, therapeutic, evidence-based programs to improve quality of life.

These programs are designed not only for those with Alzheimer’s, using creativity through art, music, exercise and more, but also for the individuals caring for them, equipping family caregivers with resources and skills. 

Dementia Caregiving 101

Art Express

Minds in Motion

Music and Memory

Stepping Up

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Your support makes a difference

From evidence-based programs supporting patients and their families to ongoing research dedicated to finding ways to slow progression of the disease to training the next generations of dementia care specialists, the Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment has big ideas, big hearts and big goals. Your gift impacts our communities and supports our vision of better health for all.

Donate

An ally for caregivers

Alzheimer's disease impacts not just the diagnosed individual, but their entire network and especially their caregiver. Here at the Smith Alzheimer's Center at SIU Medicine, we know how crucial support for caregivers is toward ensuring the best possible treatment for patients. Ann Jirmasek, LPC, shares how the Smith Alzheimer's Center can help provide that thoughtful attention for not only the person with memory loss, but their caregiver as well in this Medicine Minute.

Hascup Lab

Volunteer for a clinical trial

The Smith Alzheimer's Center conducts cutting-edge investigational interventions through clinical trials offered here at SIU Medicine. See how you can volunteer for a trial and be a part of helping find better and more effective treatments for Alzheimer's.

Learn more

Meet our team

Advancing care through research

Latest news

Radio Alzheimers Center

Dr. Erin Hascup discusses Alzheimer's research, 'Illuminate the Night' on AM Springfield

Smith Alzheimer's Center executive director Erin Hascup, PhD, joined AM Springfield to discuss the prevalence of Alzheimer's, an update to the Center's activities, the current state of research, as
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Announcing “Illuminate the Night” to support Alzheimer’s care and research

The Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment is proud to announce the inaugural Illuminate the Night , an evening dedicated to raising funds for Alzheimer’s care, research
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New research internship opportunities at Smith Alzheimer's Center

The Smith Alzheimer’s Center at SIU Medicine is offering two new lab internship opportunities for undergraduate college students in 2025. Selected students will explore cutting-edge research
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Why do more women develop Alzheimer’s?

Recent Alzheimer’s disease research is shedding new light on why women are more likely to develop the disease than men.

Latest blog articles

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Alzheimer’s is more than just memory loss

Agitation and behavior changes can shape Alzheimer’s journey For many, memory loss is the hallmark sign of Alzheimer’s and dementia. But dementia does more than cloud memory. It can alter how people
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Navigating holidays with dementia

For many, the holidays represent a time to create special moments and carry on long-held traditions with loved ones. But for those with dementia and their caregivers, it can be a time of higher
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Building dementia-friendly communities

Creating a community that better understands Alzheimer's and dementia fosters a better environment for all. One where shop owners understand unusual behavior, where waiters can provide more patience
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Exercise, home safety key to fall prevention

A home is of critical importance for those with dementia. There’s familiarity as reminders of family, past holidays and traditions are present all around. It is simply the place that provides the most