Cognitive neurology
What we do
Our cognitive neurology service provides comprehensive expert assessment and management for individuals with cognitive disorders, from early symptoms to complex presentations. Many patients with rare or challenging conditions are referred to us from other centres to benefit from our specialist expertise as a regional centre of excellence.
We assess all types of cognitive disorders, with specific expertise and experience in young-onset dementia, familial dementias (genetic), and rare neurodegenerative diseases (see Referring to this service). We have a particular strength in early diagnosis, supported by state-of-the-art neuroimaging including MRI and PET scanning, as well as fluid biomarker (CSF) and genetic testing.
Our service is part of adult neurosciences, with a consultant-led multidisciplinary team comprising neurologists, psychiatrists, specialist nurses, research coordinators, speech and language therapists, neuropsychologists, imaging specialists, and allied health professionals.
We actively participate in research including basic science, translational research and clinical trials ensuring that our patients have access to the latest therapies and interventions.
Preparing for your appointment
Please bring a family member, friend or support person who knows you well to your appointment.
Recommended resources
- Alzheimer’s Research: UK charity focused on finding a cure for Alzheimer’s.
- Alzheimer’s Society: Charity which provides support services for people affected by dementia and their carers.
- Carers UK: Expert information, advice and support for unpaid carers.
- Dementia UK: Dementia UK’s specialist nurses, known as Admiral Nurses, provide free, expert advice, support and understanding to help families care for their loved one.
- PSPA: UK charity dedicated to creating a better future for everyone affected by progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD).
- Rare Dementia Support: Supports people affected by seven of the rare dementias including carers and bereaved carers.
Location
First floor, Willowfield Building, King’s College Hospital, Bessemer Road, London, SE5 9BG
Contact details
Administration team email: [email protected]
Administration team tel: 020 3299 2126
Referring to this service
We accept referrals from primary, secondary and tertiary care including memory clinic services.
Conditions we typically see in our service include:
- typical Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and rarer variants
- vascular dementia and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)
- dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)
- progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal syndrome (CBS)
- frontotemporal dementia
- primary progressive aphasia
- hereditary leukodystrophies presenting with cognitive symptoms
- suspected genetic forms of dementia
Patient groups best served by other services
Patients with significant frailty and multi-comorbid conditions are typically better suited to the geriatric dementia service at King’s College Hospital.
Patients with significant mood disorder and/or alcohol or drug misuse should be referred to relevant psychiatry and addiction services unless a co-existent neurodegenerative syndrome is strongly suspected.
Patients with cognitive symptoms associated with long-covid should be referred to the long COVID clinic.
Patients with cognitive problems following traumatic brain injury should be referred to the traumatic brain injury service.
Patients with cognitive symptoms suspected to be the result of a non-neurodegenerative process (low mood, anxiety, sleep problems, pain, polypharmacy, uncontrolled epilepsy etc) should be managed by addressing the underlying contributory components to their cognitive symptoms.
What is required before referring a patient
Please ask the patient to bring a family member, friend or support person who knows them well to the appointment.
Please provide information about all previous investigations if done elsewhere and any current or previous treatment.
Please complete basic ‘dementia screening bloods’ for potentially treatable causes of cognitive impairment before referral to our service (NICE: Full blood count, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Urea and electrolytes, Calcium, HbA1c, Liver function tests, Thyroid function tests, Serum B12 and folate levels, syphilis, HIV).
Booking a patient at King’s
GPs should refer via NHS e-referral (e-RS) wherever possible.
Routine Referrals
For adult referrals please send to: [email protected]
Key Clinical Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Dr Jeremy Johnson | Consultant in Cognitive Neurology |
| Dr Nicola Mulholland | Consultant Clinical Radiologist |
| Dr Eoin Mulroy | Consultant Neurologist |
| Dr Naomi Sibtain | Consultant Neuroradiologist |
| Dr Susanne Watkins | Consultant Neurologist |