osf saint francis medical center

Sometimes Its More Than Simply Forgetting

By Sandra Post
emory loss no matter what age or stage in life can be disheartening, discouraging, and even a little frightening, especially when familiar words, phrases, names, and places suddenly slip from ones mind. Dr. Julia Biernot, Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria and Neurologist with the Illinois Neurological Institute, specializes in treating patients with memory disorders. According to Dr. Biernot, people, whether they are aware of their memory loss or not, can possibly have a serious condition such as Alzheimers. In order to determine the extent to which an individual should be concerned, they should receive an accurate diagnosis from a neurologist who specializes in memory loss. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimers disease, which affects the area of the brain that provides awareness. People with Alzheimers often are unaware of it, she says. Those with Alzheimers who are not aware they have the disease may seek treatment in response to concern from family or friends. Alzheimers patients often have accompanying personality changes or other challenges such as difficulty completing familiar sequential tasks. Patients may also become paranoid, argumentative, or combative. By contrast, forgetting someones name or a familiar word can be frustrating, but it doesnt necessarily signal the beginning of dementia. In order to accurately diagnose dementia, a broad term encompassing more specific diseases like Alzheimers or Lewy body dementia, Dr. Biernot begins with an initial patient evaluation in the company of family members who can contribute vital information to help with the diagnosis. Knowing how the patient responds in various settings, such as home, work, or in social environments, such as restaurants, is beneficial. She also orders various blood tests to help rule out other reasons for difficulties remembering or processing information. Hormonal changes, depression, vitamin deficiencies, and other medical illnesses may cause such an effect, Dr. Biernot says. Imaging studies, such as an MRI and CAT scan, can also aid in the diagnosis. Neuropsychological testing, which consists of a battery of tests, are ordered to further help diagnose the pattern of memory loss and to differentiate among the various dementias. Once all test findings have been assessed, Dr. Biernot meets again with the patient and family to discuss results.

Julia Biernot, M.D.

Page 40 Healthy Cells Magazine Peoria January 2014

Photography by Michael Vujovich.

Photography by Michael Vujovich.

Dr. Julia Biernot works with a team member to determine the care for patients with memory loss.
Its very difficult to make a diagnosis without adequate time and testing, says Dr. Biernot. Multiple follow-up visits are also necessary. Dementia is more than memory loss, and there is evidence it worsens over time. Making an accurate diagnosis is a process, and sometimes there are changes in that diagnosis. An accurate diagnosis is necessary to assist in ruling out other medical and treatable difficulties. Dementia is a scary diagnosis for patients. We want to address the patients concerns and fears. Part of addressing patients concerns is alleviating unnecessary fears. For example, individuals who experience some difficulty remembering words, names, or dates may still fall within the spectrum of normal memory loss. In other words, no one remembers everything all the time. Its not all or nothing, explains Dr. Biernot. Its essential to recognize and understand that were individuals. There are also variations in the progression of the disease. Alzheimers is not uniform. Theres a misconception that everyone progresses in the same way. We cannot predict how the disease will advance. According to Dr. Biernot, Alzheimers is more than a neurological disorder. It is an illness that slowly robs loved ones of memories, and chips away at the very essence of what makes them who they are, or once were. Not only is memory affected, but so is the ability to communicate and to react to situations appropriately. This is a very complex disease that requires highly specialized care. Dr. Biernot relocated to Peoria in August of 2013 after completing a Fellowship in Alzheimers disease and dementia. She has started a specialized memory disorders clinic at the Illinois Neurological Institute, which allows her to make a diagnosis, or confirm a previous diagnosis, and address other problems and questions that accompany diagnoses, from depression to personality problems. Her current team includes a social worker and specially trained neuropsychologists. Ideally we will have a large patient base with neuropsychological data that can provide helpful information for research. The long term plan for the memory disorders clinic is to participate in clinical trials, allowing Central Illinois residents the possibility of taking part in the scientific process which will contribute to the understanding of the illness. A hope is for drug trials coming out with effective medications. Clinical trials can be helpful for the current patient, and also for helping future generations. Dr. Biernot sees patients 18 years of age and older. She attended Medical School in Poland and completed her internship and residency in Connecticut, with Fellowships in Cleveland, Ohio and Houston, Texas. She serves on the Board for the Alzheimers Association and presents updates to legislators to help increase medical funding. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Biernot, call the Illinois Neurological Institute at 877-464-6670.
January 2014 Peoria Healthy Cells Magazine Page 41