Harvard Dementia A Comprehensive Update 2025

• Target Audience: primary care physicians, psychologists
• Sample video: contact me for sample video
• Information:

Who Should Attend

Nurses

Primary Care Physicians

Specialty Physicians

Psychologists

Physician Assistants

Nurse Practitioners

Social Workers

Other

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

Describe current understanding of epidemiology, risk factors, pathobiology, societal costs, clinical differences, gaps in knowledge, and challenges in distinguishing and managing the spectra of normal cognitive aging, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and other neurodegenerative dementias.

Distinguish pre-clinical AD, MCI due to AD/prodromal AD, and AD dementia phases.

Summarize tiered diagnostic and management approaches, and future experimental therapeutics strategies under consideration for risk reduction, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the AD spectrum.

Differentiate, based on neuropathology, affected neural systems, clinical criteria and biomarkers, AD and its atypical variants from other common dementias including Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI)/Vascular-Ischemic Dementia, Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD), Parkinson’s disease with Dementia (PDD), Parkinson’s-Plus Syndromes and less common dementias.

Identify and explain the importance of evidence-based and coordinated individualized approaches to the evaluation and management of MCI, AD, and neurodegenerative dementias that stress combining: (i) early and accurate detection, assessment, and monitoring; (ii) psycho-education and non-pharmacological interventions; (iii) pharmacological strategies; and (iv) caregiver, psychosocial/environmental, quality of life, ethical, medico-legal and end-of-life considerations.

Apply data-supported diagnostic, behavioral, pharmacological, and environmental strategies, including appropriate and tiered use of cognitive tests/measures, labs, and imaging studies/biomarkers; and delineation of expectations, roles (i.e., indications and benefits), cautions (i.e., risks, side-effects, warnings) and treatment nuances in the interdisciplinary management of CI, AD, and neurodegenerative dementias.

Demonstrate neural processes and functional networks that support perception and cognitive systems including memory, language, attentional, frontal/executive, visuospatial, and motor systems.

Explain the roles of office-based screening instruments, mental status exam (MSE), and neuropsychological evaluation in the diagnosis and management of dementia; develop efficient approaches to MSE and use of screening instruments (e.g. MOCA); and interpret and compare cognitive testing/neuropsychological performance patterns for different conditions and clinical syndromes (e.g. MCI, AD, FTD, primary progressive aphasias, posterior cortical atrophy, DLB).

Utilize appropriate laboratory tests, imaging studies, and neuropsychological testing for the diagnosis of dementia in clinical practice; incorporate appropriate use of clinical biomarkers (e.g. CSF a-beta/tau, MRI, FDG- and Amyloid-PET) in evaluation of neurodegenerative dementias to differentiate AD and non-AD processes; and explain clinical versus research use, and apply appropriate use criteria/guidelines to the clinical use of amyloid PET imaging in the diagnosis of AD-like syndromes.

Apply data-supported pharmacologic management strategies including the roles (i.e., indications and benefits), cautions (i.e., risks, side-effects, warnings), and potential alternatives to cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, antipsychotics, and antidepressants in dementia and AD.

Discuss the important role and the challenges and risks caregivers face; describe strategies to help dementia caregivers cope and better care for themselves and patients with dementia including psychosocial counseling, community support resources, and respite care.

Identify delirium/encephalopathy and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) as dementia risks or entities.

Develop appropriate practices concerning medico-legal and safety issues surrounding patients with dementia, including capacity with regards to medical care, finances, contracts, independent living, and driving; and integrate medico-legal and safety practices to support and safeguard patients and families, and the public-at-large.

Describe issues related to dementia neuroethics, and implement effective practices in the long-term care/nursing-home environment and in end-stage dementia regarding medical, legal, and ethical issues including recognition and treatment of delirium/encephalopathy and pain, providing palliation and hospice care, and managing end-of-life issues related to dementia.

• Topics:

Agenda.pdf

May 28 AD Dementia Practical Evaluation & Management in Clinical Practice Alireza Atri, MD, PhD.mp4

May 28 AD Dementia Practical Evaluation & Management in Clinical Practice Alireza Atri, MD, PhD.pdf

May 28 Advances in AD Experimental Therapeutics Alireza Atri, MD, PhD.mp4

May 28 Advances in AD Experimental Therapeutics Alireza Atri, MD, PhD.pdf

May 28 Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Dementias Global Perspectives and Opportunities Heather Snyder, PhD.mp4

May 28 Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Dementias Global Perspectives and Opportunities Heather Snyder, PhD.pdf

May 28 Alzheimer’s Disease Pathobiological Definitions & Prevention Strategies Suzanne Schindler, MD, PhD.mp4

May 28 Alzheimer’s Disease Pathobiological Definitions & Prevention Strategies Suzanne Schindler, MD, PhD.pdf

May 28 From Proteinopathies to Neuroimaging & Biomarkers in AD ADRD Primer on Practice and Advances David Wolk, MD.mp4

May 28 From Proteinopathies to Neuroimaging & Biomarkers in AD ADRD Primer on Practice and Advances David Wolk, MD.pdf

May 28 Full Live.mp4

May 28 Human Cognition An Overview Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc.mp4

May 28 Human Cognition An Overview Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc.pdf

May 28 Introduction to the Course Alireza Atri, MD, PhD.mp4

May 28 Memory Systems & Amnesia Andrew Budson, MD.mp4

May 28 Memory Systems & Amnesia Andrew Budson, MD.pdf

May 28 Mild Cognitive Impairment Prodromal AD and Beyond Ronald Petersen, MD, PhD.mp4

May 28 Mild Cognitive Impairment Prodromal AD and Beyond Ronald Petersen, MD, PhD.pdf

May 28 Neuropathology of AD ADRD A Guide for Practicing Clinicians Matthew P. Frosch, MD, PhD.mp4

May 28 Neuropathology of AD ADRD A Guide for Practicing Clinicians Matthew P. Frosch, MD, PhD.pdf

May 28 Panel Discussion and Q&A Alireza Atri, MD, PhD; Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc 1.mp4

May 28 Panel Discussion and Q&A Alireza Atri, MD, PhD; Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc 2.mp4

May 29 Assessment of Cognition in Clinical Practice Alireza Atri, MD, PhD.pdf

May 29 Assessment of Daily Function and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms Behavior and Staging of Dementia in Practice Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc.mp4

May 29 Assessment of Daily Function and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms Behavior and Staging of Dementia in Practice Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc.pdf

May 29 Attentional and Executive Systems – Don’t Leave Home without Them Kirk Daffner, MD.pdf

May 29 Frontotemporal Dementias Focus on Behaviorall Executive Variants Bruce Miller, MD.mp4

May 29 Frontotemporal Dementias Focus on Behaviorall Executive Variants Bruce Miller, MD.pdf

May 29 Full Live.mp4

May 29 Language Systems & Aphasia-Predominant Dementia Syndromes M. Marsel Mesulam, MD.pdf

May 29 Lewy Body Disease, and Parkinsonian & Sensorimotor-predominant Dementias James Galvin, MD, MPH.pdf

May 29 Neuropsychology of Aging Sandra Weintraub, PhD.mp4

May 29 Neuropsychology of Aging Sandra Weintraub, PhD.pdf

May 29 Panel Discussion and Q&A Alireza Atri, MD, PhD.mp4

May 29 Panel Discussion and Q&A Alireza Atri, MD, PhD; Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc.mp4

May 29 Practical Compensatory Strategies for Cognitive Decline Lynn Shaughnessy, PsyD.mp4

May 29 Practical Compensatory Strategies for Cognitive Decline Lynn Shaughnessy, PsyD.pdf

May 29 Updates on Vascular Cognitive Impairment & Dementia Charles DeCarli, MD, FAAN, FAHA.mp4

May 29 Updates on Vascular Cognitive Impairment & Dementia Charles DeCarli, MD, FAAN, FAHA.pdf

May 30 Caregiving in Dementia Impact, Consequences & Opportunities Mary Mittelman, DrPH.pdf

May 30 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) & Dementia Robert Stern, PhD.mp4

May 30 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) & Dementia Robert Stern, PhD.pdf

May 30 Community Advocacy and Activism For Dementias Katie Brandt, MM.mp4

May 30 Community Advocacy and Activism For Dementias Katie Brandt, MM.pdf

May 30 Delirium, Encephalopathies and Uncommon Dementias Jeremy Schmahmann, MD.mp4

May 30 Delirium, Encephalopathies and Uncommon Dementias Jeremy Schmahmann, MD.pdf

May 30 Full Live.mp4

May 30 Morning Introductions Alireza Atri, MD, PhD.mp4

May 30 Non-Pharmacological Approaches to Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Problem Behaviors in Dementia Helen Kales, MD.pdf

May 30 Panel Discussion and Q&A Alireza Atri, MD, PhD.mp4

May 30 Panel Discussion, Q&A and Conclusions Alireza Atri, MD, PhD; Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc.mp4

May 30 Pharmacological Management of Behavioral Problems in Dementia Clive Ballard, MDB ChB, MRC Psych, MD.mp4

May 30 Pharmacological Management of Behavioral Problems in Dementia Clive Ballard, MDB ChB, MRC Psych, MD.pdf

May 30 Practical & Ethical Considerations for Disclosure of Dementia-Related Diagnosis and Risk Jason Karlawish, MD.pdf

May 31 Advance Care Planning & Management of End-stage Dementia, Pain, Palliation & Hospice in Long-Term Care Mary Norman, MD.pdf

May 31 Dementia & The Law- Clinical Pearls on Testamentary Capacity and Undue Influence – Bruce H. Price, MD.pdf

May 31 Dementia & The Law- Clinical Pearls on Testamentary Capacity and Undue Influence – Judith G. Edersheim, JD, MD.pdf

May 31 Driving, Home & Community Safety and Dementia Margaret O’Connor, PhD, ABPP CN.mp4

May 31 Driving, Home & Community Safety and Dementia Margaret O’Connor, PhD, ABPP CN.pdf

May 31 Full Live.mp4

May 31 Morning Introductions Alireza Atri, MD, PhD.mp4

May 31 Panel Discussion, Q&A and Conclusions Alireza Atri, MD, PhD; Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc.mp4

May 31 Principles & Practice of Mental Capacity and Competence in Dementia From Finances to Firearms Barry S. Fogel, MD.mp4

May 31 Principles & Practice of Mental Capacity and Competence in Dementia From Finances to Firearms Barry S. Fogel, MD.pdf