Decoding Neurocognitive Disorders in Older Adults: Assessment & Evidence-Based Treatments-View Presentation Slides

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The presentation by Pallavi Joshi, DO, MA, at the 2023 American Psychiatric Association focuses on neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) among older adults. It outlines the epidemiology, assessment, and treatment of these disorders, particularly dementia, which affects about 7.9 million people in the United States. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form, affecting approximately 70% of dementia patients, and numbers are projected to double by 2050.<br /><br />Neurocognitive disorders are categorized into mild and major based on the DSM-5 criteria. Mild disorders involve a modest decline in cognitive abilities that don't severely interfere with daily life, while major disorders result in significant cognitive decline affecting independence. The presentation discusses key risk factors, such as age, genetics, and lifestyle, as well as a detailed clinical evaluation method including medical history, neurological exams, and various imaging techniques like MRI and PET scans.<br /><br />Pharmacologic treatment options include cholinesterase inhibitors like Donepezil and Rivastigmine, shown to provide benefits in cognition but come with side effects. Non-pharmacological management emphasizes person-centered approaches and caregiver education. Emerging treatments targeting amyloid plaques, like Lecanemab, show promise but require more research on efficacy and safety, with limited coverage currently available.<br /><br />The presentation stresses the importance of early detection and personalized treatment plans. Advances in blood-based biomarkers and imaging techniques could soon play a significant role in diagnosing specific dementia subtypes and identifying individuals at high risk. Despite the challenges, the integration of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments aims to improve quality of life for patients with neurocognitive disorders.

Keywords

Neurocognitive disorders

Dementia

Alzheimer's disease

DSM-5 criteria

Cholinesterase inhibitors

Lecanemab

Cognitive decline

Risk factors

Biomarkers

Imaging techniques