Positron emission tomography (PET) is an imaging test conducted in the Nuclear Medicine Department. It is used to measure the concentration of specific molecules in the brain. There are different types of PET: Amyloid PET measures the accumulation of abnormal amyloid protein in the brain, a key characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. Tau PET allows for … Read more
A lumbar puncture is performed to study cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. By analyzing its proteins, we can better understand biological processes occurring in certain neurodegenerative diseases. It is carried out by inserting a needle into the lumbar area, which is the safest location for the procedure, as it … Read more
This is an imaging test that typically lasts about 60 minutes and allows for a detailed view of the brain’s structure. It is often part of the routine evaluation for patients with memory problems or other neurological conditions. Contraindications for this test include having a pacemaker, automatic defibrillator, aneurysm clips, or any non-removable metallic prosthesis. … Read more
Unidad Alzheimer Down unitatalzheimerdown@santpau.cat 93 215 74 23 Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau c/Sant Antoni Maria Claret 276, 08041 Barcelona You can send us your information through the following form. Remember that at the Alzheimer Down Unit we visit people with Down Syndrome. We can address questions related to our visits … Read more
From the moment a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is received, we know that caregivers embark on a difficult and complex path, and they will need to activate a variety of both internal and external resources to cope with the disease. At the Alzheimer Down Unit, in addition to providing medical care to our patients, we … Read more
What is the relationship between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease? Individuals with Down syndrome have a 90% risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease during their lifetime, and this is related to the presence of the amyloid precursor protein gene, located on chromosome 21, which is triplicated in people with Down syndrome. What are the cognitive symptoms … Read more