Alzheimer: o que é, causas e tratamento em Lisboa

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE - Treatment and Prevention in Lisbon

Specialised assessment and multidisciplinary follow-up for Alzheimer's Disease in Lisbon

WHAT IS ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE?

Avaliação neurológica da doença de Alzheimer — NeuroPsyque Lisboa

A neurodegenerative disease that affects memory, thinking and autonomy

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative illness that mainly affects memory, but also other cognitive functions such as language, orientation, attention and the ability to carry out everyday tasks. Over time, the disease can compromise autonomy and family life, requiring rigorous diagnosis, close monitoring and a multidisciplinary approach centred on the person, but also on their carers.

Most common manifestations

  • Recent memory loss
    Forgetting conversations, appointments, errands or recent events, with frequent repetition of the same questions.
  • Language and reasoning difficulties
    Difficulties may arise in finding words, following conversations, organising tasks or solving everyday problems.
  • Disorientation and functional changes
    The person may get lost in familiar places, confuse dates or show increasing difficulty in managing their daily routine.
  • Emotional and behavioural changes
    Apathy, anxiety, irritability, distrust, agitation or sleep disturbances may appear throughout the clinical course.

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Generally slow onset

Symptoms usually appear gradually, often starting with small memory gaps that become progressively more obvious.

Home

Compromised Cognition

In addition to memory, language, attention, orientation, judgement and the ability to plan or carry out tasks can be affected.

Cognition

Progression over time

Alzheimer's worsens over time, with an increasing need for support in daily activities and a greater impact on personal autonomy.

Progression

Impact on patient and family

In addition to the patient, Alzheimer's especially affects family members and carers, requiring more and more time, guidance, support and continuous adaptation.

Family
Sistema nervoso e doença de Alzheimer

In Alzheimer's disease, early detection and structured support can make a significant difference to symptom management and family life planning. Good support can greatly increase longevity and quality of life, and ease the suffering of the family and carers.

CLINICAL EVIDENCE IN ALZHEIMER

Early intervention, accurate diagnosis and multidisciplinary support make a real difference to the course of the disease

29%
lower incidence of dementia with structured cognitive training, after 10 years of follow-up
30%
slowing cognitive progression with early diagnosis
5
estimated years of delay in the onset of dementia, when risk factors are previously controlled
+50%
reducing caregiver burden with multicomponent clinical support and guidance programmes

* Alzheimer's disease is progressive, but early intervention and integrated monitoring can slow down its progression and improve the quality of life of the patient and their family.

Sources: clinical data, NIH/NIA - Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures; NIH/ACTIVE Study - Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (cognitive training; lower incidence of dementia after 10 years); NIH - Clinical trials lecanemab/donanemab (slowing of cognitive progression in 27-35%); NIH/REACH II - Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health Program (reduction of caregiver burden).

TECHNOLOGY AND THE THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT

Neuroimagem e sistema nervoso
Tecnologia clínica e acompanhamento especializado
Abordagens terapêuticas complementares
Reabilitação e suporte multidisciplinar
Tratamentos complementares em neurologia
Mapeamento cerebral e avaliação complementar
Clínica Lisboa
Ondas Cerebrais
Fisiologia
Sala de Tratamento
Espaço Bem-Estar

IMPORTANCE OF SPECIALISED CONSULTATION

Alzheimer's disease requires a specialised neurological assessment, especially when severe symptoms of disorientation, anxiety or apathy begin to appear. Consultation is essential to characterise the pattern of cognitive impairment, exclude other causes of memory impairment and define a follow-up strategy adapted to the stage of the disease and the needs of the patient and family.

💡 In Alzheimer's disease, early diagnosis makes it possible to intervene earlier, organise care, support the family and promote greater safety and quality of life, while avoiding costs further down the line.

At Clínica NeuroPsyque, counselling is based on a comprehensive view of the disease. Neurological assessment, cognitive training, therapeutic guidance, functional (physical) support and counselling for carers are combined. The aim is to provide rigorous and humane follow-up, with dignity and preservation of well-being. The family's well-being is often a determining factor in the patient's well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's about Alzheimer's Disease

What should I expect at the first assessment appointment?
The first consultation includes a detailed analysis of the clinical history, the cognitive symptoms, the progression of the disease, the impact on daily life (including the family), the neurological examination and the tests already carried out. The aim is to clinically frame the case, rule out other causes of cognitive impairment and define the next steps in treatment and follow-up.
What are the earliest signs of Alzheimer's?
The most common initial signs include difficulty memorising recent information (short-term memory), repeating questions and forgetting appointments.
How is the diagnosis made?
Diagnosis is based on clinical history, neurological examination, cognitive assessment and complementary tests that help to exclude other causes of memory deficit or cognitive impairment. It is especially important to exclude other neurodegenerative conditions with symptoms common to Alzheimer's.
Does memory loss always mean Alzheimer's?
No. There are several possible causes of memory complaints, including anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, vitamin deficits, the effects of medication or other neurological diseases. Specialised assessment is therefore essential in order to avoid poor treatment.
Is there a treatment for Alzheimer's?
There is currently no definitive cure for Alzheimer's, but there are therapeutic approaches and follow-up strategies that can help control symptoms and preserve functionality and autonomy for longer, with fewer complications.
Why is it so important to involve the family and carers?
Alzheimer's progressively affects autonomy, making close family support essential for supervision, routine organisation, safety and decision-making throughout treatment. Support for carers is just as important as other pillars of treatment.
When should I seek medical help?
If you've noticed signs that are consistent with the symptoms, it's always better to eliminate doubts than to maintain them. Seek a specialised assessment whenever there are persistent changes in memory, language, orientation or daily functioning, especially if these worsen over time. The earlier the assessment, the better the prospects for good clinical planning.
Do I need a doctor's referral to book an appointment?
No. You can book your Neurology at NeuroPsyque, without the need for a referral from your family doctor. If you have health insurance, we recommend that you check the conditions of your policy regarding reimbursement. Contact us.