Harvard Dementia: A Comprehensive Update 2024

Overview

Harvard Dementia: A Comprehensive Update 2024 is an extensively developed annual update course designed by Harvard Medical School neurology faculty specializing in cognitive and behavioral disorders. This course offers a practical, multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis, management, and investigation of dementia and related neurodegenerative diseases. The content addresses a broad spectrum of disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), vascular cognitive impairment, Parkinsonian dementias, frontotemporal dementias, and other neurodegenerative conditions, emphasizing current clinical practices and research advances.

On-demand neurology education — accessible anytime, anywhere.

Format: Video lectures and PDF materials
Total size: Not specified

Agenda

This course presents an integrative program covering foundational neuroanatomy and cognition, detailed disease-specific lectures, latest diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, and special topic discussions. All agenda times are in Eastern Time.

• Introduction to the Course — Alireza Atri, MD, PhD
• Human Cognition: An Overview — Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc
• Memory Systems & Amnesia — Andrew Budson, MD
• Neuropathology of AD/ADRD: A Guide for Practicing Clinicians — Matthew P. Frosch, MD, PhD
• From Proteinopathies to Neuroimaging & Biomarkers in AD/ADRD: Primer on Practice and Advances — David Wolk, MD
• Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Dementias: Global Perspectives and Opportunities — Maria Carrillo, MD
• Alzheimer’s Disease Pathobiological Definitions & Prevention Strategies — Panel Discussion
• Panel Discussion and Q&A — Alireza Atri, MD, PhD
• AD Dementia: Practical Evaluation & Management in Clinical Practice — Alireza Atri, MD, PhD
• Mild Cognitive Impairment: Prodromal AD and Beyond — Ronald Petersen, MD, PhD
• Advances in AD Experimental Therapeutics — Alireza Atri, MD, PhD
• Panel Discussion and Q&A — Alireza Atri, MD, PhD; Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc
• Cased-based discussion of Lecanemab — Alireza Atri, MD, PhD; Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc; David Wolk, MD
• Neuropsychology of Aging — Sandra Weintraub, PhD, ABPP/CN
• Language Systems & Aphasia-predominant Dementia Syndromes — M. Marsel Mesulam, MD
• Updates on Vascular Cognitive Impairment & Dementia — Charles DeCarli, MD, FAAN, FAHA
• Panel Discussion and Q&A — Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc; Lynn Shaughnessy, PsyD
• Lewy Body Disease, and Parkinsonian & Sensorimotor-predominant Dementias — James Galvin, MD, MPH
• Attentional and Executive Systems – Don’t Leave Home without Them — Kirk Daffner, MD, FAAN
• Frontotemporal Dementias: Focus on Behavioral/Executive Variants — Bruce Miller, MD
• Assessment of Cognition in Clinical Practice — Alireza Atri, MD, PhD
• Practical Compensatory Strategies for Cognitive Decline — Lynn Shaughnessy, PsyD, ABPP/CN
• Assessment of Daily Function and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms/Behavior and Staging of Dementia in Practice — Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc
• Panel Discussion and Q&A — Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc; Lynn Shaughnessy, PsyD, ABPP/CN
• Non-Pharmacological Approaches to Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Problem Behaviors in Dementia — Helen Kales, MD
• Pharmacological Management of Behavioral Problems in Dementia — Clive Ballard, MDB ChB, MRC Psych, MD
• Practical & Ethical Considerations for Disclosure of Dementia-Related Diagnosis and Risk — Jason Karlawish, MD
• Caregiving in Dementia: Impact, Consequences & Opportunities — Mary Mittelman, DrPH
• Panel Discussion and Q&A — Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc; Lynn Shaughnessy, PsyD, ABPP/CN
• Community Advocacy and Activism For Dementias — Katie Brandt, MM
• Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) & Dementia — Robert Stern, PhD
• Delirium, Encephalopathies and Uncommon Dementias — Jeremy Schmahmann, MD
• Panel Discussion, Q&A and Conclusions — Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc; Lynn Shaughnessy, PsyD, ABPP/CN
• Dementia & The Law: Clinical Pearls on Testamentary Capacity and Undue Influence — Judith G. Edersheim, JD, MD; Bruce H. Price, MD
• Principles & Practice of Mental Capacity and Competence in Dementia: From Finances to Firearms — Barry S. Fogel, MD
• Driving, Home & Community Safety and Dementia — Margaret O’Connor, PhD, ABPP/CN
• Advanced Care Planning & Management of End-stage Dementia, Pain, Palliation & Hospice in Long-Term Care — Mary Norman, MD
• Panel Discussion, Q&A and Conclusions — Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc; Lynn Shaughnessy, PsyD, ABPP/CN

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.
• Integrate a holistic approach to the management of problem behaviors and neuropsychiatric symptoms (e.g. aggression, apathy, anxiety, depression, psychosis) in individuals with dementia that stresses education, and behavioral and non-pharmacological interventions as first-line approaches.
• 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.

Speakers

This course features a distinguished faculty of neurology and geriatrics experts affiliated with Harvard Medical School and prominent medical centers. Faculty members specialize in cognitive and behavioral neurology, neuropsychology, geriatrics, psychiatry, and neurodegenerative research, providing an authoritative and comprehensive perspective on dementia care and research.

• Alireza Atri, MD, PhD
• Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc
• Andrew Budson, MD
• Matthew P. Frosch, MD, PhD
• David Wolk, MD
• Maria Carrillo, MD
• Ronald Petersen, MD, PhD
• Sandra Weintraub, PhD, ABPP/CN
• M. Marsel Mesulam, MD
• Charles DeCarli, MD, FAAN, FAHA
• Lynn Shaughnessy, PsyD, ABPP/CN
• James Galvin, MD, MPH
• Kirk Daffner, MD, FAAN
• Bruce Miller, MD
• Helen Kales, MD
• Clive Ballard, MDB ChB, MRC Psych, MD
• Jason Karlawish, MD
• Mary Mittelman, DrPH
• Katie Brandt, MM
• Robert Stern, PhD
• Jeremy Schmahmann, MD
• Judith G. Edersheim, JD, MD
• Bruce H. Price, MD
• Barry S. Fogel, MD
• Margaret O’Connor, PhD, ABPP/CN
• Mary Norman, MD

Target Audience

• Nurses
• Primary Care Physicians
• Specialty Physicians
• Psychologists
• Physician Assistants
• Nurse Practitioners
• Other healthcare professionals involved in dementia care and research

Why This Topic Matters

Harvard Dementia: A Comprehensive Update 2024 addresses critical advances in the understanding and management of dementia, a complex and emotionally challenging set of disorders affecting millions worldwide. This course is essential for clinicians in neurology, geriatrics, psychiatry, and neuropsychology seeking to strengthen their expertise in dementia diagnosis and care with evidence-based, interdisciplinary methodologies.

By providing access through MedHub Central, this education supports ongoing professional development and clinical decision-making in dementia care. It facilitates improved competency in contemporary diagnostic tools, therapeutics, and caregiving strategies pivotal to optimizing patient and caregiver outcomes in neurological practice.