Alzheimer's Disease Center
University of California, Davis
The Family Connection
Summer 1997
Area Physicians Gather to
Learn about Alzheimer's Disease
More than 100 primary care physicians
and other health care professionals gathered at a special conference
on Saturday, May 31, to learn more about the diagnosis, treatment and
research of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
"Geriatric Medicine moves into the 21st Century" was co-sponsored by
the UC Davis Alzheimer's Disease Center in an effort to share
expertise with area health providers about the disease and educate
the physician community about local resources to benefit patients,
families and caregivers.
The day-long event provided an opportunity for local providers to
gleen information about the latest in drug treatment, diagnosis
research and ethical issues related to Alzheimer's disease.
Physicians are more interested than ever in learning about the
diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease because there are two
medications available on the market and research for the disease is
rapidly progressing. "Today there are medications that can treat the
symptoms. Alzheimer's disease can be diagnosed through a process of
getting a careful personal history, mental and physical tests,
clinical judgment, and the exclusion of other possibilities," says
Dr. William Jagust, Director of the UC Davis Alzheimer's Disease
Center.