Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology

The Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology at Brigham and Women's Hospital, as part of the Center for Brain/Mind Medicine, is a multidisciplinary group that includes specialists in behavioral neurology, neuropsychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, neuropsychology, and social work. Our integrated approach to care is ideal for patients experiencing difficulties with cognition, emotion, perception, or behavior as a result of neurologic disorders such as Alzheimer disease or other types of dementia, cerebrovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, head trauma, attentional disorders, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and tumor.

Visit the new Center for Brain/Mind Medicine website, which features comprehensive patient and caregiver resources.

We have expertise in the diagnosis and management of patients with cognitive difficulties. The Clinical Care Program of The Alzheimer Center offers a state-of-the-art diagnostic workup and treatment of all forms of dementia and mild cognitive impairment, and can assist patients and families to determine whether changes in cognition are due to normal aging or disease.

The Alzheimer Center also provides patients the opportunity to participate in clinical trials evaluating potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease, neuroimaging, and related studies for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology Services

The Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology provides comprehensive diagnosis and evaluation for patients with the following neurologic conditions:

• Alzheimer's disease
• Non-Alzheimer Dementias
• Mild cognitive impairment
• Frontotemporal lobar degeneration
• Autism and Asperger syndrome
• Learning disabilities

We also treat patients experiencing cognitive and neuropsychiatric difficulties secondary to the following conditions:

• Parkinson’s disease
• Traumatic brain injury
• Brain tumor and other central nervous system cancers
• Cerebrovascular disease
• Seizures and epilepsy

We have expertise in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of cognitive problems, including those involving memory, attention, executive functions, language, and visuospatial function. The Clinical Care Program of The Alzheimer Center offers a state-of-the-art diagnostic workup and treatment of all forms of dementia and mild cognitive impairment, and can assist patients and families determine whether changes in cognition are due to normal aging or disease.

Our clinical care team includes specialists in behavioral neurology, neuropsychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, neuropsychology, and social work. Our four steps towards successful treatment involve:

1. Accurate diagnosis through comprehensive evaluation
2. Identification of all treatable conditions contributing to neurologic impairments
3. Development of a treatment plan that can involve both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies
4. Follow-up to optimize cognitive, emotional, and functional status