Memory Disorders Division

Overview

The Memory Disorders Unit and the Frontotemporal Disorders Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital are tertiary care outpatient clinics located on the eighth floor of the Wang Ambulatory Care Center (WACC) of the hospital. We have several specialized services: the Memory Disorders Unit (MDU), the Frontotemporal Disorders Unit (FTD), the Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus clinic, and the Lewy body Dementia clinic. Each unit’s clinical staff consists of board-certified neurologists, geriatric psychiatrists, nurses and social work resource specialists who are fluent in a variety of languages, including French, Hebrew, Italian and Spanish. Complimentary translation and interpretation services in a variety of languages – including sign language – are provided by trained and certified personnel of the Mass General Medical Interpreter Services at all times.

Patients of the Units are treated with compassionate, courteous and professional care throughout their diagnostic, consultation and follow-up treatment visits. We require that all patients attend their appointments with a close family member or an individual who can provide reliable information about them. The services that we provide include:

• Comprehensive medical and neurologic assessment, diagnosis and follow-up on pharmacological interventions for dementia symptoms
• Psychiatric evaluation, monitoring and referral to specialists on an “as-needed” basis
• Referral to the Mass General Psychology Assessment Center for neuropsychological examinations and follow-up evaluations
• Referral to the Mass General Genetics Program for genetic counseling for rare cases of inherited memory disorders
• Support groups and social service consultations for family members and caregivers
• Participation in cutting-edge clinical trials and observational studies conducted by the Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
• Coordination with the Mass General International Patient Center for patients from other countries who seek medical care at Mass General

Update on Lecanemab and Donanemab

Mass General Brigham (MGB) is aware of interest in lecanemab (Leqembi™), which received accelerated approval by the FDA on January 6, 2023 for the treatment of Alzheimer disease in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia. Accelerated approval was based on reduction in amyloid beta plaques observed in patients treated with lecanemab.

The FDA is required to decide by July 6, 2023 on full approval of lecanemab based on clinical benefit. The results of a Phase 3 randomized, controlled clinical trial to confirm lecanemab's clinical benefit have recently been reported.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services plan to review lecanemab to determine whether Medicare will cover the cost of this medication.

A second medication in the same class, donanemab, has more recently also been reported to slow progression of disease. Donanemab data have not yet been presented in full to the public or the FDA.

All drugs used within the MGB system are subject to review by the MGB Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee that is charged with evaluating and providing recommendations for the use of medications. The evaluation includes a review of clinical, economic, and operational considerations. This process, with the goal of ensuring safe and cost-effective use of medications within MGB, is expected to take up to several months for FDA-approved medications. Additional information will be provided when it becomes available.

The MGB team will provide updates about lecanemab and donanemab on this website as soon as we learn more details about the status of full FDA approval and Medicare’s decisions about reimbursement.

Research

Our clinician-scientists are at the forefront of cutting-edge research in the neurodegenerative diseases, and partner with our patients and research participants in order to discover effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia. Please visit MADRC.org to learn more about our current research opportunities, or call 617-643-5200 to find out how to join us in the fight against these brain diseases.

Study of Memory and Aging

Estamos buscando adultos mayores de 65 años para participar en nuestro estudio para entender cómo se desarrolla la pérdida de memoria en el cerebro humano. Aprende más.

We're recruiting Spanish-speaking adults over 65 to participate in our study to understand how memory loss develops in the human brain. Learn more.

Research on Memory and Aging in Black Adults

To make sure your voice is heard and that research findings are inclusive, we encourage African American/Black adults over age 50, with or without memory concerns, to join our ongoing study of memory and aging. Learn more.