The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) LBDA Research Center of Excellence is housed within the VCU Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center (PMDC), a nationally recognized center for excellence in movement disorders clinical care and research. This LBDA RCOE benefits from the well-established infrastructure of the PMDC to advance the care and treatment of Lewy body dementia (LBD) patients. The PMDC at VCU is staffed by five movement disorders neurologists, one nurse practitioner, two nurse navigators, and two neuropsychologists, with close collaboration with institutional physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech and language pathologists.
To meet the need for dedicated dementia care, Dr. Matthew Barrett and Dr. Neel Dixit launched an Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) clinic in July 2023. This weekly clinic provides specialized care for patients with LBD and related disorders. Additional clinical resources include a social worker and Dr. Sarah Lageman, a neuropsychologist with an active therapy practice dedicated to supporting patients and caregivers. The primary clinic location for the PMDC is the Short Pump Pavilion (SPP), a state-of-the-art facility designed to provide interdisciplinary and integrated care. The Adult Outpatient Pavilion (AOP) at VCU Health, located in downtown Richmond, further expands clinical capacity and provides comprehensive neurological services.
Research is a core mission of the VCU LBDA RCOE. The PMDC has a dedicated research infrastructure, including six full-time research coordinators, a research technician, and a postdoctoral research fellow. Dr. Barrett has led multiple clinical trials for LBD and Parkinson’s disease and currently serves as co-PI on a study investigating EEG-based biomarkers of cognitive fluctuations in LBD. The PMDC also facilitates a caregiver support group affiliated with the LBDA, which has been meeting regularly since 2023. The group, supported by the Senior Community Engagement & Outreach Coordinator at the PMDC provides education, resources, and peer support for caregivers of individuals with LBD.
