Many of our clinics are nationally recognized centers of excellence for specific neurodegenerative diseases. These recognitions reflect our expertise in providing advanced, compassionate patient care.

At UC Davis Health, you benefit from advanced diagnostic tests, the latest treatments and access to clinical trials. We provide complete care for all types of neurodegenerative diseases.

Our providers are actively involved in neurology research, including studies at the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. We’re dedicated to finding better ways to detect, prevent and treat neurodegenerative diseases.

Alzheimer’s disease and dementias, such as corticobasal degeneration, vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia, occur when nerve cells in your brain die. You experience problems with memory, speech and thought processes.

ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease) and progressive lateral sclerosis (PLS) occur when nerve cells that control muscle movements (motor neurons) die. These conditions affect your ability to talk, swallow, move and breathe.

People with Huntington’s disease inherit a gene change (mutation) that causes the condition. Nerve cells in your brain die, affecting how you think, move and feel (your moods).

Parkinson’s disease results from damage to nerve cells in your brain that control coordination and muscle movements. The disease causes tremors, balance problems and slowed movements.

Exposure to certain chemicals, toxins, pesticides and metals may increase your risk. Air pollution may also have an impact.

You may be more likely to develop dementia if you have obesity, poor sleep, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes.

Tobacco and overuse of alcohol, as well as an unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle, may also put you at risk.