Currently, over 6 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and the number is expected to double by 2050. It is estimated that an additional 5 million Americans have mild neurocognitive impairment. With the aging of the population, psychiatrists are likely to see more older patients who are concerned about their memory. Subjective memory decline may be an early sign of a serious cognitive disorder, but may also occur due to other conditions. Teasing out the underlying causes of memory concerns can be challenging, and requires a multi-step assessment. In this session, geriatric psychiatrists, Dr. Susan Lehmann and Dr. Brent Forester will discuss the office approach to the assessment of memory complaints in older adults. Dr. Lehmann will discuss ways that psychiatrists can differentiate normal changes in memory with aging from those seen in mild neurocognitive impairment and in late life depression and other psychiatric disorders, such as late-life depression. She will review the appropriate office work-up of cognitive complaints, including cognitive and laboratory testing to rule out “treatable” causes. Dr. Lehmann will also discuss the differential diagnosis of memory complaints, focusing on how to distinguish memory concerns due to psychiatric disorders from the most common major neurocognitive disorders. Dr. Forester will discuss how understanding the underlying pathology of Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias is leading to better treatment strategies. He will review current best practices for the pharmacologic treatment of cognitive impairment in dementia. Dr. Forester will also discuss practical strategies for clinicians to share with patients to maintain good brain health and prevent cognitive decline.

Format

Recorded webinar, non-interactive, self-paced distance learning activity.

This presentation was recorded at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting 2022.

Learning Objectives

• Identify key differences between cognitive changes associated with normal aging and those that may signal a cognitive disorder
• Discuss the appropriate office work-up of subjective cognitive complaints
• Describe differences in presentation between common types of dementia (major neurocognitive disorders)
• Discuss the FDA-approved pharmacologic agents available for treatment of cognitive symptoms in dementia
• Describe evidence-based strategies for maintaining brain health and preventing cognitive decline

Target Audience

Psychiatrists

Estimated Time to Complete

Estimated Duration: 90 minutes
Begin Date: May 1, 2023
End Date: May 1, 2026

Physicians

The APA designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Faculty and Planner Disclosures

The American Psychiatric Association adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity — including faculty, planners, reviewers or others — are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

Program Presenters

• Susan Lehmann, MD, Johns Hopkins. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Brent Forester, MD, MSc, Chief of Geriatric Psychiatry, McLean Hospital. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Art Walaszek, MD, University of Wisconsin. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.

Program Planners

• Jacqueline Maus Feldman, M.D., Chairperson, Scientific Program Committee, Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Robert O. Cotes, M.D., Vice-Chairperson, Scientific Program Committee, Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests. 
• Uchenna Okeye, M.D., Vice-Chairperson, Scientific Program Committee, Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests. 

Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities

The American Psychiatric Association is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. If you have trouble accessing any of APA’s online resources, please contact us at 202-559-3900 for assistance.

Technical Requirements

This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following:

• The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari
• Internet Explorer 11+

This Web site requires that JavaScript and session cookies be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be: Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Windows Media Player.

Optimal System Configuration:

• Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version)
• Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version)
• Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher

Minimum Requirements:

• Windows PC: Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content
• Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher with latest updates installed; Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor; 512 MB or higher RAM; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content

For assistance: Contact educme@psych.org for questions about this activity | Contact learningcenter@psych.org for technical assistance