The Institutes Diagnostic and Research Center provides comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and research opportunities for those with any symptoms of memory loss, disorientation and confusion that may be related to Alzheimers disease or a related dementia.

The Center at UC Irvine is known as an Alzheimers Disease Research Center (ADRC) and is one of twenty-eight ADCs supported by the National Institute of Aging. Established as an ADRC in 2000, the ADRC coordinates and supports several Alzheimers disease related activities within the Institute including assessment and diagnosis, drug trials, support groups, educational programs, tissue repository, and basic science/clinical research.

The Center is also one of ten state sites that are overseen by the California Department of Health Services, for the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimers disease. These State sponsored centers are referred to as the Alzheimers disease Research Centers of California or the ARCCs.

To be designated as an ARCC, the Institute had to compete with other medical and research sites within the state of California for competitive funding. These centers provide clinical assessments of persons with memory problems. The clinical assessment includes comprehensive neurological, physical, and neuropsychological evaluations performed by a team of highly-qualified professionals. The assessment also includes a private family conference, where the results, the diagnosis, and information will be presented to the patient and family members. In addition, the Centers sponsor yearly care planning conferences for families and caregivers to learn more about cutting-edge research and family/caregiver related issues.

The Center plays an important role in fostering research, community and professional education and training.

For more information on the ARCCs, visit: http://www.dhs.cahwnet.gov/Alzheimers/html/arccprogram.htm

For more information on ADRCs, visit: http://www.alzheimers.org/adcdir.htm