Harvard Dementia: A Comprehensive Update 2025
2025 Course Overview
Videos+PDFS
Dementia: A Comprehensive Update (Harvard CME)
Overview:
This course delivers a practical, multidisciplinary update on understanding, diagnosing, and managing dementia. It caters primarily to clinicians who treat older adults or people with cognitive concerns .
π― Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
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Review latest diagnostic criteria and evaluation strategies.
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Understand diverse types of dementia: Alzheimerβs, vascular dementia, Lewy body, frontotemporal, etc.
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Apply advances in pharmacological and non-pharmacological management.
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Integrate behavioral, psychosocial, and caregiver support approaches.
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Navigate palliative and endβofβlife care strategies when appropriate .
π©ββοΈ Who Should Attend
Designed for healthcare professionals involved in dementia care, including:
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Physicians (Primary care, Neurology, Psychiatry, Geriatrics)
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Advanced Practice Nurses
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Pharmacists
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Psychologists
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Social Workers
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Allied Health Professionals (e.g., occupational therapists, counselors)
ποΈ Topics Covered
The curriculum typically includes:
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Overview and diagnostic methods for various dementia subtypes
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Neuropsychological and neuroimaging tools
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Medication updates and treatment plans
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Behavioral symptom management and non-drug options
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Support for caregivers and families
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Ethical and end-of-life care considerations
2025 Agenda
All agenda sessions are in Eastern Time.
Agenda
All agenda sessions are in Eastern Time.
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
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
Morning Coffee Break
Alzheimerβs Disease & Related Dementias: Global Perspectives and Opportunities
Heather Snyder, PhD
Alzheimerβs Disease Pathobiological Definitions & Prevention Strategies
Suzanne Schindler, MD, PhD
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Alireza Atri, MD, PhD; Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc
Lunch Break
Afternoon Introductions
Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc
AD Dementia: Practical Evaluation & Management in Clinical Practice
Alireza Atri, MD, PhD
Afternoon Coffee Break
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;Β Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc
Cocktail Reception with Faculty
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Morning Introductions
Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc
Neuropsychology of Aging
Sandra Weintraub, PhD
Attentional and Executive Systems β Donβt Leave Home without Them
Kirk Daffner, MD
Frontotemporal Dementias: Focus on Behaviorall/Executive Variants
Bruce Miller, MD
Morning Coffee Break
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
Alireza Atri, MD, PhD; Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc
Lunch Break
Afternoon Introductions
Alireza Atri, MD, PhD
Lewy Body Disease, and Parkinsonian & Sensorimotor-predominant Dementias
James Galvin, MD, MPH
Assessment of Cognition in Clinical Practice
Alireza Atri, MD, PhD
Practical Compensatory Strategies for Cognitive Decline
Lynn Shaughnessy, PsyD
Assessment of Daily Function and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms/Behavior and Staging of Dementia in Practice
Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc
Afternoon Coffee Break
Cased-Based Discussion of Lecanemab
Alireza Atri, MD, PhD; Brad Dickerson, MD
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Alireza Atri, MD, PhD
Friday, May 30, 2025
Morning Introductions
Alireza Atri, MD, PhD
Non-Pharmacological Approaches to Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Problem Behaviors in Dementia
Helen Kales, MD
Pharmacological Management of Behavioral Problems in Dementia
Clive Ballard,Β MDB ChB, MRC Psych, MD
Morning Coffee Break
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
Alireza Atri, MD, PhD
Lunch Break
Afternoon Introductions
Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc
Community Advocacy and Activism For Dementias
Katie Brandt, MM
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) & Dementia
Robert Stern, PhD
Afternoon Coffee Break
Delirium, Encephalopathies and Uncommon Dementias
Jeremy Schmahmann, MD
Panel Discussion, Q&A and Conclusions
Alireza Atri, MD, PhD; Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Morning Introductions
Alireza Atri, MD, PhD
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 OβConnor, PhD, ABPP/CN
Morning Coffee Break
Advance Care Planning & Management of End-stage Dementia, Pain, Palliation & Hospice in Long-Term Care
Mary Norman, MD
Panel Discussion, Q&A and Conclusions
Alireza Atri, MD, PhD; Brad Dickerson, MD, MMSc