Dr. Richard J. O'brien
Overview
I see patients with memory disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. In almost every encounter, I feel like I see two patients: the person with the disease and the person taking care of the person with the disease. The caregiver often needs as much attention as the patient because they are under a lot of stress, so I offer helpful tips, advice, encouragement, and resources. These diseases don’t have cures, so I spend a lot of time talking with caregivers, diagnosing the disease, and helping families cope. There are some medicines we use for these diseases, but their effect is fairly limited, so we also try to treat side effects, such as depression or behavioral problems. It’s a partnership between the doctor, the patient, and the family trying to keep the patient as safe, happy, and healthy as possible. I am also involved in research projects and enjoy both seeing patients and studying their diseases in the lab.
Dr. O'brien is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neuronal Intranuclear Inclusion Disease (NIID). His top areas of expertise are Cerebellar Degeneration, Alzheimer's Disease, Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), and Dementia.
His clinical research consists of co-authoring 66 peer reviewed articles. MediFind looks at clinical research from the past 15 years.
Insurance
Accepted insurance can change. Please verify directly with the provider.
Accepted insurance plans:
- HMO
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- PPO
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE MAPD
- MEDICARE PDP
- MEDICARE SNP
- MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
- POS
- PPO
- HMO
- INDEMNITY
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- POS
- PPO
- INSURANCE PLAN
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE MAPD
- MEDICARE PDP
- MEDICARE SNP
- MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
- OTHER MEDICARE PART D
- HMO
- POS
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- INSURANCE PLAN
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE MAPD
- MEDICARE PDP
- MEDICARE SNP
- MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
- OTHER MEDICARE
- OTHER MEDICARE PART D
Locations
932 Morreene Rd, Durham, NC 27705
Clinical Research
Clinical research consists of overseeing clinical studies of patients undergoing new treatments and therapies, and publishing articles in peer reviewed medical journals. Providers who actively participate in clinical research are generally at the forefront of the fields and aware of the most up-to-date advances in treatments for their patients.
James Burke is a Neurologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Burke is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neuronal Intranuclear Inclusion Disease (NIID). His top areas of expertise are Cerebellar Degeneration, Neuronal Intranuclear Inclusion Disease (NIID), Primary Progressive Aphasia, and Frontotemporal Dementia.
Duke Neurology Morreene Road
As a behavioral neurologist, my primary goal during clinic visits is to determine if brain function changes in adults above the age of 50 are related to the aging process or are suggestive of a neurodegenerative disease requiring further care. Common neurodegenerative diseases that are evaluated in the clinic include Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy body dementia. Another focus during clinic visit is to address all neurological, psychiatric, and medical factors which may impact brain health. It is a privilege and honor to understand a patient's life-long journey. This is an important part of the clinic visit since it allows me to identify various risk factors throughout one's life which may lead to the development of a neurodegenerative disorder. This is also one of the main reasons I chose to become a behavioral neurologist. Dr. Liu is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neuronal Intranuclear Inclusion Disease (NIID). His top areas of expertise are Cerebellar Degeneration, Neuronal Intranuclear Inclusion Disease (NIID), Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), and Primary Progressive Aphasia.
Kirk Wilhelmsen is a Neurologist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr. Wilhelmsen is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Neuronal Intranuclear Inclusion Disease (NIID). His top areas of expertise are Alzheimer's Disease, Cerebellar Degeneration, Neuronal Intranuclear Inclusion Disease (NIID), and Dementia. Dr. Wilhelmsen is currently accepting new patients.
Areas of Expertise
MediFind evaluates expertise by pulling from factors such as number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials, speaking at industry conferences, prescribing and referral patterns, and strength of connections with other experts in their field.
Learn more about MediFind’s expert tiers
- Distinguished
- Alzheimer's DiseaseDr. O'brien isDistinguished. Learn about Alzheimer's Disease.
- Cerebellar DegenerationDr. O'brien isDistinguished. Learn about Cerebellar Degeneration.
- Advanced
- DementiaDr. O'brien isAdvanced. Learn about Dementia.
- Lewy Body Dementia (LBD)Dr. O'brien isAdvanced. Learn about Lewy Body Dementia (LBD).
- Neuronal Intranuclear Inclusion Disease (NIID)
- Experienced
- Cardiac AmyloidosisDr. O'brien isExperienced. Learn about Cardiac Amyloidosis.
- Cerebellar Multiple System AtrophyDr. O'brien isExperienced. Learn about Cerebellar Multiple System Atrophy.
- Cerebral Amyloid AngiopathyDr. O'brien isExperienced. Learn about Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy.
- Charles Bonnet SyndromeDr. O'brien isExperienced. Learn about Charles Bonnet Syndrome.
- Developmental Dysphasia FamilialDr. O'brien isExperienced. Learn about Developmental Dysphasia Familial.
- Essential TremorDr. O'brien isExperienced. Learn about Essential Tremor.