Alzheimer's Disease

    Overview

    Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurological disease that attacks memory and other important brain functions. The Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer's Research and Treatment at SIU Medicine provides focused treatment and therapy for the physical and emotional needs of patients and families suffering from this disease. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia among older adults.

    Smith Alzheimer's Center

    SIU Medicine is home to the Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer's Research and Treatment. The Smith Alzheimer's Center not only provides personalized care for those with dementia as well as their caregiver(s), the Center also provides numerous community outreach programs to help improve quality of life as well. The third component of the Center is finding better treatments, whether in the research lab or through clinical trials. All three components are critical to advancing care not only for the patient, but for their families and the community.

    To learn more about the Smith Alzheimer's Center, visit our mission page.

    Our providers

    Profiles

    Jennifer Arnold, MD

    Neurologist Neurology
    751 N. Rutledge St. Suite 3100 Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Ann Jirmasek, BS, MA, LCPC, NCC

    Clinical Gerontology Specialist Neurology
    751 N. Rutledge St. Suite 3100 Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Andrea Perkins, FNP-BC

    Certified Nurse Practitioner Neurology
    751 N. Rutledge St. Suite 3100 Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Cindy Womack, DNP, FNP-BC, CNRN

    Certified Nurse Practitioner Neurology
    751 N. Rutledge St. Suite 3100 Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Charlene Young, FNP-BC

    Certified Nurse Practitioner Neurology
    751 N. Rutledge St. Suite 3100 Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Priyanka Bhandari, MD

    Physician Family Medicine
    520 N. 4th St. Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Tomonao Hashimoto, MD

    Geriatrician Family Medicine
    319 E Madison St Suite 1F Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Dale Korinek, Psy.D

    Clinical Neuropsychologist Psychiatry
    319 E Madison St 3rd Floor Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Lauri Lopp, MD

    Physician Family Medicine
    520 N. 4th St. Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Zachary Sims, PA-C

    Certified Physician Assistant Family Medicine
    520 N. 4th St. Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Mehul Trivedi, PhD

    Clinical Psychologist Psychiatry
    319 E Madison St 3rd Floor Springfield, IL 62702

    Why SIU

    Continually learning

    With a focus on continual improvement, our doctors take the time to research, study and innovate to provide the latest treatments for our patients.

    Patient-first experience

    Our care ranges from primary care physicians to specialists and sub-specialists who have advanced training. We're here for you when you need us.

    Breakthrough tech

    Continually teaching the next generation of doctors, our physicians use the latest developments in procedures and technologies for our patients.

    Clinical Trials

    Trial
    Neurology

    A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Global Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of BMS-986446, an Anti-MTBR Tau Monoclonal Antibody, in Participants with Early Alzheimer’s Disease (TargetTau-1)

    Active recruiting

    The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of BMS-986446 vs placebo on delay of cognitive memory and functional decline in participants (age 50-80) with early Alzheimer's Disease.

    Trial
    Neurology

    Caregiver Characteristics That May Predict When Patients With Alzheimer Disease Are Placed in Long Term Care Facilities

    Active recruiting
    This research will be conducted by the SIU Memory and Aging Network (MAN), which comprises 38 sites that evaluate and treat patients with dementia throughout non-metropolitan Illinois.  AD patients and their caregivers who are living in private homes will be recruited.  Primary outcome measures will be the ratings of the caregiver’s physical status (grip strength, walking speed, and score on the Timed Up-and-Go Test11 and the rating of the caregiver’s chronic medical illness burden using the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (Geriatric).12,13  The patient and caregiver dyad is required.
    Trial
    Neurology

    Caregiver Characteristics That May Predict When Patients With Alzheimer Disease Are Placed in Long Term Care Facilities

    Active recruiting
    This research will be conducted by the SIU Memory and Aging Network (MAN), which comprises 38 sites that evaluate and treat patients with dementia throughout non-metropolitan Illinois.  AD patients and their caregivers who are living in private homes will be recruited.  Primary outcome measures will be the ratings of the caregiver’s physical status (grip strength, walking speed, and score on the Timed Up-and-Go Test11 and the rating of the caregiver’s chronic medical illness burden using the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (Geriatric).12,13  The patient and caregiver dyad is required.
    Trial
    Neurology

    Lilly: Assessment of Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Donanemab in Early Symptomatic Alzheimer's Disease

    Active not recruiting

    I5T-MC-AACI:  The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of donanemab versus placebo on clinical regression in participants with early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease with presence of low-medium tau pathology.

    Trial
    Neurology

    Lilly: Assessment of Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Donanemab in Early Symptomatic Alzheimer's Disease

    Active not recruiting

    I5T-MC-AACI:  The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of donanemab versus placebo on clinical regression in participants with early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease with presence of low-medium tau pathology.

    Latest articles

    Alz

    Senolytic treatment improves cognition in female Alzheimer’s mice

    Research shows differing effects from treatment for male, female models One of the many confounding questions about Alzheimer’s disease is why women are at greater risk. Of the approximately 7 million
    People with Alzheimer's or dementia enjoy art class

    Brushing away isolation

    Loneliness, isolation are worsening mental health in seniors Creating community and providing education can help deliver the solution. For more than a decade, Karen Lee has fostered connections
    McFadden

    Fund established in McFadden’s honor to further dementia research

    Sam McFadden’s curiosity and passion for studying neurodegenerative diseases will live on through the recently established Samuel A. McFadden Aging and Neurodegenerative Disease Research Fund