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Why Choose Dementech For Parkinson’s Disease Dementia Support?
- In-house team of dementia specialists provide a mixture of clinical and therapeutic care
- Same-day appointments and no extended waiting times
- Industry-leading diagnostic technology
- Test results available in 48 hours
- Consultations start from just £485
- Patient Advisors work with patients and caregivers to develop a unique treatment plan
- Ongoing support and guidance from diagnosis through to treatment
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What is Parkinsonian Dementia?
Parkinsonian dementia, also known as Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) or Parkinson’s dementia, is a type of dementia that affects patients who have previously been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. It’s not fully understood what causes PDD, but it’s thought to be due to abnormalities with Lewy body protein deposits in the brain. It is most common in people who are over the age of 65.
A person with PDD may experience a range of symptoms, including hallucinations, tremors and shaking, muscle stiffness, issues with concentration and memory, changes in mood, and problems sleeping. Symptoms vary from person to person, as does their severity and the rate at which they progress. Generally, symptoms will get worse over time and the patient may eventually lose the ability to live independently.
At Dementech Neurosciences, our team of dementia specialists offer a multi-faceted approach to treating PDD. We have a number of in-house clinicians who can support you from the diagnosis through to treatment, helping you to mitigate your symptoms and live a normal, independent life for as long as possible.
Our Happy Patients
Have had nothing but kindness and professionalism from Dementech and all their staff. From their initial guidance by Shakeela, through to staff conducting the MRI tests and Dr. Lucio D'Anna for his expertise clarity of explanation, compassion and consideration. Special mention to Zobia, who saved the day with her quick thinking that helped my mother-in-law to obtain extended care. Overall a perfect experience. Cannot recommend them enough.N Mohamed
My family and I experienced one of the hardest times of our lives having to deal with my wife’s deteriorating condition. I would like to personally thank the lovely young lady Zobiaa from Dementech, for showering us with compassion, empathy and genuine care and concern. Her professionalism, high-level customer service and communication, eye for detail, and willingness to go the extra mile to accommodate our needs and make not only my wife, but our whole family, feel as comfortable and supported as possible, is something we will always be grateful for. Thank you so much for your friendly and polite presence Zobiaa and taking the time and effort to build a relationship with us. You really made our visits to the clinic a positive, 5 star experience.P Allen
Same Day Consultations
Where possible, the Dementech Neurosciences team will always aim to offer you a same day consultation.
Quality Tests, Assessments & Scans
Using our state-of-the-art diagnostic technology, we are able to carry out the majority of tests within 48 hours.
Patient Advisor Consultations
Your personal Patient Advisor will talk you through your treatment plan and answer any questions.
Prices Starting at £485
Prices for an hour-long consultation start at £485. Each follow up appointment will cost £285. We always maintain full transparency about our costs.
Video Consultations Available
If you can’t make it to our clinic, we offer video consultations on FaceTime, WhatsApp, and Skype.
Parkinson’s Dementia Symptoms
PDD affects a person’s cognitive and motor skills, and the symptoms will gradually get worse over time. The first signs of cognitive decline typically occur approximately one year after an initial Parkinson’s disease diagnosis.
There are a number of common symptoms people with PDD may experience. Not everyone will have the same symptoms, but common characteristics can include:
- Changes in your ability to recall memories
- Trouble concentrating on tasks
- Lapses in judgement and critical thinking
- Issues trying to process and interpret visual cues
- Vivid hallucinations where you may see, smell, feel or hear things that aren’t there
- Experiencing delusion, specifically paranoia
- Changes to your mood, such as increased irritability or feelings of apathy
- Feeling anxious and/or depressed
- Sleep-related issues, such as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep disorder or sleep disturbances
- Feeling drowsy during the day
- Losing your appetite
- Parkinson’s symptoms, such as uncontrollable tremors or shaking, muscle rigidity, shuffling, and movement issues
If you have any of the above symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have Parkinsonian dementia. It’s common for people with motor issues like Parkinson’s disease to experience some decline in their cognitive abilities.
Similar cognitive impairment occurs in Atypical Parkinsonism such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and corticobasal syndrome (CBS). Huntington’s disease (HD) also causes a decline in thinking and reasoning skills, including memory, concentration, judgement and ability to plan and organise.
There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease dementia, but symptoms can usually be managed effectively for a number of years.
If you think you have any symptoms of dementia, it’s important to speak to a neurologist to find out what could be causing your symptoms. Early intervention is the best form of treatment, and whilst PDD can’t be cured, it may be possible to minimise the severity of symptoms and prolong how long you can live independently for.
Parkinson’s Dementia Diagnosis
Diagnosing Parkinsonian dementia isn’t as simple as carrying out a single test. Instead, you may need to undergo multiple scans and assessments in order for us to make the right diagnosis. This is because PDD is similar to Lewy body dementia (DLB). They both share similar symptoms but are, in fact, different.
The Difference Between PDD and DLB
Due to the similarities between both conditions, there are two main guidelines your neurologist will follow to determine a PDD diagnosis:
- If cognitive decline symptoms started roughly a year after a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, Parkinson’s disease dementia is often the diagnosis
- If cognitive impairment symptoms started approximately a year before physical motor symptoms, the diagnosis is often dementia with Lewy bodies
For a diagnosis, you will need to attend a consultation where you will speak to one of our private dementia consultants about your symptoms, as well as your previous medical history. They may get you to complete some cognitive tests by asking you a series of questions.
After this, you may need to go for some other tests, such as blood tests or an MRI scan. These tests will rule out any other brain conditions that may be causing your symptoms. We endeavour to get your results to you within 48 hours and can also give a copy, along with our diagnosis, to your GP.
We use cutting-edge technology to assess the severity of cognitive deficits in people with Parkinson’s dementia. This enables us to provide an early diagnosis of cognitive impairment and effectively manage it early on.
Parkinson’s Dementia Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Parkinson’s dementia, and there is no treatment that can slow the rate at which the condition destroys brain cells. Instead, treatment is focused on mitigating symptoms and aiming to help the patient live as independently as possible for as long as possible.
At Dementech Neurosciences, we offer a multidisciplinary approach to treating the symptoms of Parkinsonian dementia. We have a comprehensive dementia team who can offer a mixture of clinical and therapeutic treatments. Common treatments for PDD may include:
- Cholinesterase inhibitors: These are a type of Alzheimer’s medication that can minimise cognitive decline and help manage symptoms relating to hallucinations, memory, judgement, mood and sleep issues
- Antidepressant medication: People with PDD sometimes become anxious and depressed, so antidepressant medication can sometimes help to mitigate these symptoms
- Physiotherapy: One of our in-house physiotherapists can work with you to manage the physical motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
- Speech and language therapy: We will work with you to maintain your communication abilities
- Psychiatry: Our specialist psychiatrists can work alongside psychologists to monitor your cognitive function
Clinical Trials
At Dementech, we also offer patients the opportunity to participate in clinical trials testing novel pharmacological intervention, before they become available to the public, aiming to delay the progression of PDD.
Choosing a Private Neurologist
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Paying for Treatment
As our clinic is private, you will need to pay for your treatment upfront. We are on hand to help you with any questions you might have regarding fees, so don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.
Get Parkinson’s Dementia Treatment and Support Today
Meet our Doctors
Our team of Parkinsonian Dementia experts in London provide expert care to diagnose, manage and treat Parkinsonian dementia symptoms.
Dr Lucio D’Anna – Consultant Neurologist in London
Lead Specialist
Memory Clinic
Neurologist
Private Neurology
Stroke Treatment
FAQs about Parkinsonian Dementia
I’m claustrophobic. Is there an MRI scan alternative?
Yes, there is the option to have an open or upright MRI scan.
Will I get a copy of my results?
Yes, we will provide you with a copy of your test results, and a CD of your MRI scan if you wish.
How quickly can I be seen?
Where possible, we aim to see patients the same day.
Can you arrange tests?
Yes, we can arrange for tests and scans to be scheduled before your consultation or after depending on what is most suitable.
What does the consultation entail?
During a consultation we will carry out an assessment and go through your medical history with a view to getting a diagnosis. From there, you will receive a treatment plan and a full consultation report.
If I am seen privately, will I be removed from the NHS waiting list?
No, receiving care at Dementech will not impact your NHS care.
Do you offer video calls?
Yes. If you cannot make it to the clinic, we can video call you on Skype, FaceTime, or WhatsApp.
Do you provide finance?
We do not offer finance payment plans. You will need to pay for all your appointments before you attend the clinic.
How quickly can we get an MRI, blood test, and other testing done?
We carry out tests within two days of them being requested, and we will get the results back within 48 hours.
Have a Question?
Speak to Parkinson’s Dementia Specialists From Our Clinic in London
Our team is on hand to answer any questions or concerns that you may have. Simply fill in the form below with your details, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Contact Dementech Today to Discuss Parkinson’s Disease Dementia Support