Page 36 - Annual Report 2018

Patients with dementia require specific attention, ped. The scientific activity of the CIEN Foundation is
consisting of an accurate and early diagnosis, an as- based on this idea: to transfer to the clinical field the
sessment of the affected cognitive areas and its se- advances obtained with basic research.
verity, as well as applying and monitoring the
treatment. It is essential that various medical discipli- 3.2.1. Department of Neurology
nes be involved, due to the need to follow the pro-
gression, the specific treatment, the overseeing of Neurology as a medical-scientific discipline aims to
complications, the application of measures to neu- study the structure and function of the nervous
tralize them, and the corresponding practice of so- system, the identification, description and analysis of
cial health resources. Hence, UIPA responds to a its numerous and varied pathologies, the diagnosis
translational vocation to investigate the progression of its clinical alterations and the treatment of pa-
of clinical knowledge in dementias. It is established tients who suffer them. In the field of cognitive im-
as an intermediary between basic sciences and the pairment, the neurologist must characterize the
fields of clinical and social sciences related to he- numerous types and variants of this syndrome
alth, to promote knowledge about neurodegenera- through a systematic clinical evaluation of the pa-
tive dementias and its application. A team of tient and his/her environment, collaborate with other
specialists in Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurops- specialists in psychology, radiology, laboratory, ge-
ychology, together with the participation of geriatri- netics, neurophysiology, etc. make a diagnosis and
cians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and prescribe and monitor a treatment. In a research
social workers from the Center's healthcare area group such as the Queen Sofia Foundation Alzhei-
make up this part of the Unit. The evaluations carried mer Center (CAFRS, for its acronym in Spanish), the
out in these areas composed the clinical and socio- Neurology team offers basic clinical support to all
logical database that, in addition to its intrinsic inte- studies carried out with volunteers and patients, ge-
rest for research purposes, supports the biological nerates and implements clinical research hypothe-
samples and neuroimaging data obtained systema- ses and collaborates with the other teams of
tically in the Center. specialists in clinical and basic research, in the early
detection, prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's
From the basic research side, UIPA's original project disease and other related pathologies. The Depart-
contemplated the creation of departments of Mo- ment of Neurology develops the following activities:
lecular Genetics, Neuropathology, and Neuroima-
ging. These three areas bring together the most • General and neurological medical evaluation,
and clinical diagnosis of the Vallecas Project
promising fields of research on the biological pro-
participants
cesses underlying dementia.
• Detection and management of possible clinical
complications of the Vallecas Project
The UIPA is characterized by its marked multidiscipli- participants.
nary approach, so that both clinical and basic as- • Preparation of clinical reports
pects are in continuous contact, through those five • Evaluation and diagnosis of patients attending
the Center
departmental areas, elaborating and contrasting
• Neurological monitoring of patients admitted to
hypotheses, and jointly carrying out various research the Residence
projects. On the other hand, it is from reinforcing • Management and curation of databases.
these two perspectives, how concepts such as trans- • Statistical analysis and preparation of scientific
lational research in Medicine have been develo- reports.

CIEN Foundation Annual Report 2018 / 36