Lesson 1Cognitive testing tools and bedside examination elements: MMSE, MoCA, executive function and visuospatial testingChecks bedside mind tests, MMSE, MoCA, focus on pay-attn, speech, memory, boss function, space skill, read tips, limits, fit for school culture.
MMSE structure, scoring, and limitationsMoCA domains, cutoffs, and adjustmentsBedside executive function assessmentsVisuospatial and constructional testingInterpreting results in clinical contextLesson 2Common complications and monitoring: delirium superimposed on dementia, falls, medication interactions and prevention/surveillance tacticsHandles usual dementia wahala, mind mix-up, tumbles, med clashes, stress risk spot, watch ways, cut meds, place changes, team stop.
Recognizing delirium in dementiaFall risk factors and prevention plansHigh-risk medications and interactionsMonitoring cognitive and functional changeCare pathways for recurrent complicationsLesson 3Management principles in early hospitalization: safety assessment, medication review (deliriogenic drugs), risk of delirium and prevention strategiesFocus early hospital handle for dementia folks, safety check, med match, spot mix-up meds, mix-up risk sort, stop packs, talk family carers.
Initial safety and supervision assessmentMedication review and deprescribingDelirium risk factors and screeningNonpharmacologic prevention bundlesFamily engagement and discharge planningLesson 4Advanced biomarkers and their clinical role: CSF amyloid/tau, plasma biomarkers (neurofilament light, plasma p-tau) and indicationsChecks advance markers like CSF sticky/tau, blood p-tau, nerve light, when use, read, limits, how shape diagnosis, outlook, trial fit.
CSF amyloid and tau collection basicsPlasma p-tau assays and cutoffsNeurofilament light as injury markerClinical indications for biomarker testingLimitations, access, and ethical issuesLesson 5Baseline laboratory and structural imaging to exclude reversible causes: thyroid, B12, RPR, CBC, CMP, and brain MRI protocol for dementiaSets base lab scan check to rule out fixable mind fade causes, thyroid mess, B12 lack, germ, body off, dementia brain MRI way.
Standard laboratory dementia panelScreening for infectious contributorsMetabolic and nutritional abnormalitiesBrain MRI sequences for dementiaWhen CT is acceptable or insufficientLesson 6Common neurodegenerative etiologies and key distinguishing features: Alzheimer disease, vascular cognitive impairment, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementiaDetails usual brain-wear causes of dementia, Alzheimer, blood vessel mind hit, front-time dementia, Lewy clump, stress main signs, scan looks, bedside hints.
Alzheimer disease: memory-led presentationVascular cognitive impairment patternsFrontotemporal dementia behavioral variantsLewy body dementia core clinical featuresImaging clues to differentiate etiologiesLesson 7Recognizing and managing neuropsychiatric symptoms: agitation, psychosis, apathy — safe acute strategies and antipsychotic risksCovers spot handle restless, mad see, no-care, mood in dementia, place behavior ways, med risk-gain, watch bad side, carer teach.
Clinical features of agitation and aggressionAssessment of psychosis and hallucinationsApproaches to apathy and mood symptomsNonpharmacologic de-escalation strategiesAntipsychotic indications and safety risksLesson 8Pharmacologic symptomatic treatments and when to initiate cholinesterase inhibitors or memantine; nonpharmacologic interventions and caregiver supportChecks med and no-med treats for dementia, when start enzyme blockers or memantine, side handle, mind rehab, place fix, carer aid.
Indications for cholinesterase inhibitorsMemantine use and combination therapyManaging treatment side effectsEvidence-based nonpharmacologic strategiesCaregiver education and respite resourcesLesson 9Diagnostic framework for dementia: cognitive domains, functional impairment, and course of declineOutlines step diagnosis frame for dementia, mind parts, daily fail, fade speed to tell wear, blood, fixable, guide checks advice.
Core cognitive domains and typical deficitsFunctional decline and loss of independenceOnset, tempo, and progression patternsDistinguishing dementia from normal agingRed flags for nondegenerative etiologiesLesson 10Key guideline and review sources for dementia evaluation and management (with year identifiers)Sums big dementia guides agree, key say, years, practice use, diagnosis rules, marker, treat line, follow plan.
Major international dementia guidelinesKey diagnostic criteria and updatesGuidance on biomarker use and limitsTreatment and follow-up recommendationsUsing reviews to stay current