Clinical Evaluation & Research Trials

Neurobehavior Evaluation

The UCLA Neurobehavior Clinic specializes in the diagnosis and management of Early Onset Alzheimers Disease (EOAD), Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) and other progressive cognitive problems. The clinic evaluates all focal brain degeneration associated with dementia. 

UCLA Neurobehavior Clinic Evaluation:

• The process is usually completed in two visits with scheduled tests in between the two appointments.
• The evaluation may include a neuropsychological assessment, functional brain imaging, and specialized behavioral testing. (In addition, a neurogenetic assessment is available.)
• Provides referring clinicians consultations on these focal dementia syndromes.
• The clinic sends referring clinicians a summary consultation report upon completion of the evaluation.
• This consultation can provide the patient's physician with medication and behavioral management strategies.
• Education and counseling are also provided to patients, families, and caregivers.
• Alternatively, if preferred, the patient’s care can be managed through the UCLA Neurobehavior Clinic.

Clinical Research

In addition to consultation and patient care, the UCLA Neurobehavior Clinic is involved in much-needed research on these neurological conditions. Potential research participation is available in studies exploring the behavioral, cognitive, neuroimaging, and genetic aspects of these disorders. Ongoing studies involve neurocognitive and neuroimaging studies of early onset Alzheimer’s disease (EOAD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and related conditions.

• Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Phenotypes: Neuropsychology and Neural Networks (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03153371)
• Cognitive Change in Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03088956)
• Social Behavior and Emotion in Frontotemporal Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease and Controls (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01147679)
• Language Loss in Bilingual Dementia Patients
• Early Onset Dementia:  An Alzheimer's Disease vs. Non-Alzheimer's Disease Comparison

Through our collaborations with other UCLA researchers, we also refer to clinical drug trials and explorations of the genetics, neuropathology, and longitudinal course of these conditions.

For more information about research please call:
Randy Desarzant at (310) 478-3711 ext. 43621 (Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease)
Diana Chavez at (310) 478-3711 ext. 48176 (Frontotemporal Dementia)