UCLA FTD&Neurobehavior Clinic

The UCLA FTD & Neurobehavior Clinic (also known as the “Neurobehavior Clinic”) specializes in the diagnosis and management of FTD and other Neurobehavioral Disorders, particularly in individuals under the age of 65. In addition to typical FTD, the clinic evaluates all focal brain degenerations associated with dementia.

Criteria for patient referral include:

	Presence of a cognitive or behavioral disorders with a strong suspicion of an underlying non-acute brain degeneration.
	Prior medical evaluations sent to Jill Shapira, RN, PhD for review, prior to the patient’s visit.

UCLA FTD Clinic Staff

Mario F. Mendez, MD, PhD - Behavioral and cognitive neurologist and UCLA Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry.

Jill Shapira, RN, PhD - a specialist in dementia care with over 20 years of experience in the management of dementia patients and their caregivers.

Elvira Jimenez, MPH - Staff Research Associate

Diedre O’Neill - Research Associate

Po Lu, PsyD - Neuropsychologist

In addition, as part of the UCLA Alzheimer’s Disease Center, the UCLA FTD&Neurobehavior Clinic has available the resources of a large group of affiliated clinicians and investigators, including psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, neuroimagers, speech pathologists, and geneticists.

UCLA FTD&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, 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. If preferred, the patient can be managed through the UCLA FTD&Neurobehavior Clinic.
	Education and counseling is provided to patients, families, and caregivers.

UCLA FTD and Neurobehavior Research

In addition to consultation and patient care, the UCLA FTD&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 include developing clinical trials with memantine, lithium, and other medications as well as basic studies in interpersonal behavioral interactions, psychophysiology, biomarkers, and neuroimaging aspects of these disorders.

Contact Us

If you are interested in a clinical appointment or participation in a research study, please call Jill Shapira, R.N., PhD at (310) 794-2550, email jshapira@mednet.ucla.edu, or fax your medical information to (310) 794-0540, Neurological Services, 300 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite B200, Los Angeles, CA 90095. Additional information may be obtained through Dr. Mendez (310)-478-3711, ext. 42696 (VA Greater LA Neurobehavior Office).

Select Publications:

Mendez MF, Licht EA, Shapira JS. Changes in dietary or eating behavior in frontotemporal dementia vs. Alzheimer’s disease. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Dem 2008 Jan 15; [Epub ahead of print].

Mendez MF, Shapira JS, Woods RJ, Licht EA, Saul RE. Psychotic symptoms in frontotemporal dementia: prevalence and review. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2008;25:206-211.

Mendez MF, Lauterbach EC, Sampson SM; Committee on Research. An Evidence-Based Review of the Psychopathology of Frontotemporal Dementia: A Report of the ANPA Committee on Research. Clin Neurosci 2008;20:130-149.

Mendez MF, Cummings JL. Dementia: A Clinical Approach, Third Edition. Butterworth-Heinemann (Elsevier), Philadelphia, PA, 2003 (ISBN: 0750674709).

Clark DL, Boutros NN, Mendez MF. The Brain and Behavior: An Introduction to Behavioral Neuroanatomy, Second Edition. Blackwell Science, Malden MA, 2005.
Mendez MF. Frontotemporal Dementia: Therapeutic Interventions. In Giannakopoulos P and Hof P (eds), Dementia in Clinical Care. Frontiers of Neurology and Neuroscience. Karger, Basel, Switzerland. (In Press).