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University of Florida in Gainesville, FL

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    About This Center

    The Research Center of Excellence is part of the UF Health Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases. The Movement Disorders & Neurorestoration Program, part of the Fixel Institute, was founded in 2002 with the vision of creating a world-class clinical-research center to provide a single destination for patients, families, clinicians, and researchers. The program currently employs movement disorders specialists, dementia specialists, geriatric psychiatrists, a geriatrician, and four advanced practice providers, all of whom care for persons with Lewy body disorders and their families.

    Drs. Melissa Armstrong, Nikolaus McFarland, Bhavana Patel, and Tracy Tholanikunnel have LBD-focused clinical and research practices. In addition to physician appointments, patients receive on-site specialty-trained physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy (including barium swallow evaluations), usually on the same day as their physician visits. The institute has an on-site clinical case manager for social work needs, a genetic counseling team, and a dietician available in clinic or by phone/Zoom. Neuropsychological testing is available on site. In 2023, a neuroimaging center opened on the same lot as the clinic and this provides MRI, CT, PET, and MEG imaging opportunities.


    Clinic Appointments: 352-294-5400

    Contact Name: Noheli Bedenfield
    Email Address: [email protected]
    Phone Number: 352-733-2419
    Contact this person for: Clinical Trials

    Clinic Website: Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at UF Health 
    Research Lab Website: The LBD Life Lab at the University of Florida

    Contact Information

    Clinic Appointments: 352-294-5400

    Contact Name: Noheli Bedenfield
    Email Address: [email protected]
    Phone Number: 352-733-2419
    Contact this person for: Clinical Trials

    Clinic Website: Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at UF Health 
    Research Lab Website: The LBD Life Lab at the University of Florida
    Website: Fixel Center for Neurological Diseases at UF Health

    Melissa Armstrong, MD, MSc

    Dr. Armstrong is the Director of the Mangurian Clinical-Research Headquarters for Lewy Body Dementia at the University of Florida Fixel Center for Neurological Diseases. She is professor in the Department of Neurology and has an affiliate appointment in the Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics. Her clinical work and research focus on improving care for persons with Lewy body dementia and their families, including increasing Lewy body dementia awareness, identifying individual priorities for care, and improving end-of-life experiences. She collaborates with the interdisciplinary team at the institute to promote a holistic approach to Lewy body dementia care.  Find out more information about Dr. Armstrong’s research efforts click here.

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