UZ Leuven

The memory clinic is part of the K.U.Leuven Alzheimer Research Centre (ARCK).

The ARCK is a single structure encompassing the clinical and research initiatives within both UZ Leuven and K.U.Leuven in the fields of Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. The aim of ARCK is to bring about more rapid progress in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration through joint initiatives between the doctors treating and caring for patients with these conditions within UZ Leuven and the scientific laboratories researching these conditions within K.U.Leuven. ARCK is an integral part of the Leuven Research Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (LIND)  (www.kuleuven.be/samenwerking/lind/ ).
Research into new diagnostic tools and medications ranges from the preclinical phase of cellular and animal models to phase I, II and III studies in humans.

These research products are carried out in collaboration with:

• the Cognitive Neurology Laboratory led by Prof. Dr. Rik Vandenberghe
  www.med.kuleuven.be/lcn/ 
• the Laboratory for Research into Neurodegenerative Diseases led by Prof. Dr. Bart De Strooper
  www.med.kuleuven.be/cme-mg/lncb/index.html 
• the Laboratory for Experimental Genetics and Transgenesis led by Prof. Dr. Fred Van Leuven
  www.med.kuleuven.be/legtegg/ 
• the pharmaceutical industry

The memory clinic's scientific contributions are structured around four key activities:  

• Imaging research (brain scanning)
• MRI: structural and functional imaging. Functional imaging makes it possible to measure changes in cognitive systems within the brain and how they are linked to underlying pathogenic processes such as amyloid deposition.
• PET: focuses mainly on clinical validation of ligands that can measure underlying pathogenic mechanisms in AD and FTD in vivo (amyloid imaging, tau imaging).

Biosampling

This field encompasses all initiatives related to the collection and storage of human tissues for clinical/diagnostic and research purposes.

Research into cerebrospinal fluid, serum, plasma and DNA is vitally important in order to develop new diagnostic techniques and therapies to address the causative processes.

In the area of genetic research our memory clinic works closely with the Neurogenetics Laboratory (Prof. Dr. Christine Van Broeckhoven) from the University of Antwerp. This collaboration comprises, among other things, a genetic association study of cortical neurodegeneration and linkage studies in patients with autosomal dominant forms of dementia.

Neuropathological research

Microscopic study of brain tissue after death (neuropathological research) is of considerable clinical and scientific importance.

Current insights into the mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal degeneration are largely the result of this research. Interpretation of the research in which the patient has taken part while living is dependent upon a final neuropathological diagnosis.

The development of new treatments is also largely based on neuropathological data. The study of brain tissue after death also makes it possible to make a definite diagnosis. This may help families to come to terms with what has happened.

For doctors, a neuropathological confirmation or neuropathological adjustment of the diagnosis can be very informative. This may be beneficial when it comes to making diagnoses for future patients at the memory clinic.

The possibility of a patient's involvement in this type of research is always discussed beforehand with family members. Family members are informed about this and given plenty of time to make a decision about it. They can also revoke their decision at any time. A brain autopsy can only take place if permission has expressly been given by family members. It is carried out in an aesthetically sensitive way leaving few marks that can be seen externally. If the family members give their consent for this research they are provided with all the necessary information in writing so that the process can take place as smoothly as possible at the time of death.

Clinical studies

View the summary of clinical studies currently taking place.

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