History and Background

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) CADC was established in 1991 and is a component of the Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Disease Research at UCLA. The UCLA CADC has a legacy of providing world-class care to persons with memory and other cognitive or behavioral problems. This includes state-of-the-art diagnosis using cutting-edge technology and evidence-based treatment recommendations. The UCLA CADC serves a diverse patient population reflecting that of Los Angeles’ Westside, the San Fernando Valley, and the wider Los Angeles County region.

Clinical Services

The UCLA CADC is located on the main campus of UCLA in Westwood. We work closely with the UCLA Olive View clinic in Sylmar in the San Fernando Valley, and the Neurobehavior clinic in Westwood. Patients attending these clinics are multi-ethnic, reflecting the Los Angeles’ Westside population. The UCLA Olive View clinic serves a diverse, though predominantly Spanish-speaking, population. Our physicians specialize in memory and other cognitive disorders. Patients receive evaluations that involve clinical assessments and additional testing including structural imaging (MRI or CT scans), blood tests, and PET scans when necessary. In-depth cognitive testing is performed when appropriate for English- or Spanish-speaking patients in our neuropsychology clinic that includes multiple faculty members.

Professional Training

UCLA CADC staff participate in training health service providers in dementia diagnosis and care at all levels. This includes regular lectures to UCLA medical students and residents; teaching physicians and other healthcare professionals in Continuing Medical Education programs; hosting persons doing teaching rotations that can include foreign scholars; and hosting the weekly Alzheimer's Disease Research Forum in which clinical and basic research topics are presented.

Community Education

Staff at the UCLA CADC engage in a vast array of educational activities in the community regarding cognitive aging and neurodegenerative diseases. This includes community outreach and education in collaboration with community partners such as the Alzheimer’s Association, the Leeza Gibbon’s Memory Foundation and the local Leeza’s Places, and the OPICA Adult Day Care. UCLA CADC community outreach targets diverse audiences, including all ethnicities and races. In addition, the CADC hosts a bi-weekly Alzheimer's disease support group for caregivers in which patient's families and friends can learn from and provide resources for one another. This support group is open to all caregivers.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE CLINIC

Referrals

Referrals from physicians, other healthcare providers, and agencies are welcome. No referral is necessary for a memory assessment. We specialize in the evaluation of memory loss, Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses such as frontotemporal lobe dementia and vascular dementia, and mild cognitive impairment. We have the expertise for complex or unusual cases, and are happy to provide second opinions.

Costs

Costs for diagnostic evaluations and professional services may vary on an individual basis. Please contact us for more information. Often, tests performed outside of our CADC may be necessary to complete a diagnostic workup, such as laboratory tests and/or brain scans.

Staff

Neurologists
• John M. Ringman M.D., M.S.
• Liana Apostolova, M.D., M.S.C.R.
• Mario F. Mendez, M.D., Ph.D.
• Maryam Beigi, M.D.
• Sarah Kremen, M.D.
• Edmond Teng, M.D., Ph.D.
• Sheldon Wolf, M.D.

Neuropsychologists
• Po Lu, Ph.D.
• Ellen Woo, Ph.D.
• Kathleen Tingus, Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist
• Freddy Ortiz, Ph.D.

Nurse Practitioner
• Jill Shapira, R.N., Ph.D.

Education Core Leader
• Joshua Grill, Ph.D.

Triage Coordinator
• Douglas Hawkins, B.A.

Opportunities to Participate in Research

We refer patients to clinical trials evaluating new ways of treating and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease. We also refer patients to studies of aging, and how different factors may protect against or accelerate mental decline in old age. Depending on your eligibility you may be invited to take part in one or more of these studies.