Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center For Brain Health
Opens Life Activity Center

The Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health opened the Frank Gehry-designed Life Activity Center on May 21, 2010.  The opening of the Life Activity Center signaled the completion of the facility, which is committed to treating and preventing the disabling symptoms of chronic brain diseases and to prolonging healthy, vital aging in people at risk for dementia or cognitive disorders.  The $80 million Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health houses clinical space, a diagnostic center, neuroimaging rooms, physician offices, laboratories devoted to clinical research, a caregiver library and the Life Activity Center.

The Life Activity Center is a dedicated space for hosting medical education and private functions at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health (LRCBH), a highly specialized clinical center designed to advance the research, early detection and treatment of neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“It is truly remarkable to see the realization of a vision 14 years in the making,” said businessman and philanthropist Larry Ruvo, who named the center for his late father, who had Alzheimer’s disease.  “This building represents a tangible example of the hope for new discoveries and treatments for all those afflicted with neurodegenerative diseases.  It is a true collaboration between my hometown of Las Vegas, Cleveland Clinic and Frank Gehry.”

In the years since his father’s death in 1994, Mr. Ruvo has pursued his goal of creating a world-class cognitive disease center unequalled in the United States.  The goal became a reality last year, with the opening of the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, which welcomed its first patients in July 2009.  The center is a setting in which compassionate care goes hand-in-hand with cutting-edge treatments, sophisticated research and training and education for patients’ families and their care-givers.

“Neurocognitive disorders are becoming more prevalent as life expectancy continues to increase, but emerging research indicates Alzheimer’s disease may be preventable,” said Delos M. “Toby” Cosgrove, MD, Cleveland Clinic’s President and CEO.  “Innovation and collaboration will help to advance this research by providing better treatments, and ultimately a cure for the millions of people living with Alzheimer’s Disease.  I am moved by Larry’s passion for helping people with neurocognitive disorders.  His dream has become a reality and we are honored to bring our medical expertise to Las Vegas.”

Specific events around the grand opening included:

• Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman proclaiming May 21, as Brain Health Day in the city of Las Vegas during a press conference that also featured one of the center’s patients and his caregiving spouse
• A continuing medical education event hosting over 100 Nevada doctors
• A reception honoring the Center for Brain Health’s volunteer staff
• A VIP party for the center’s greatest supporters featuring architect Frank Gehry commenting on the role he hopes his creation will play in curing neurocognitive disorders

See how LRCBH is making a difference in the lives of patients and caregivers: