Memory Center: The Lausanne Model

We present the multidisciplinary approach toward the diagnostic and treatment of patients with cognitive complaints adopted within the Leenaards Memory Centre at the University Hospital of Lausanne in Switzerland. Our strategy combines clinical evaluation using standardized neuropsychological, biological, imaging, and genetic biomarkers, together with an integrated approach to care of the patient and his/her caregiver(s) that takes into account the individual environmental and socioeconomic circumstances. Tightly integrated with the clinical process is a centralized electronic information system—called CLEMENS—that maintains a database of detailed records of assessment results, actions, care plans and biomarker and imaging data of consulting patients. The CLEMENS system provides the translational bridge between the clinical activity and its projection into and from clinical research, enabling the in-depth and multivariate evaluation of all clinically measured aspects. We discuss how research outcomes can feed back into the clinical activity, allowing for more accurate patient evaluation, diagnostic stratification, and care