Alzheimer's Disease

Patients are treated at the Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer's Research and Treatment

    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
    Ann Jirmasek

    Ann Jirmasek, BS, MA, LCPC, NCC

    Clinical Gerontology Specialist Neurology
    751 N. Rutledge St. Suite 3100 Springfield, IL 62702
    Not Currently Accepting New Patients

    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.

    Contact: Sara Boarman 217-545-6829
    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.
    Contact: Stephanie Kohlrus 217-545-3013
    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.
    Contact: Stephanie Kohlrus 217-545-3013
    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.

    Contact: Sara Boarman 217-545-6829
    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.

    Contact: Sara Boarman 217-545-6829

    Latest articles

    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
    Illuminate logo

    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
    Dr. Hascup in laboratory

    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