Neuroimaging is useful for the diagnosis of dementia. This workshop is designed for non-neurologists with the objectives of helping them to:

1. Read either a computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain,
2. Identify key neuroanatomical structures, and
3. Determine the key neuroimaging features of various disorders.

Using a case-based approach and interactive discussion, participants will review the following objectives to:

1. Compare the clinical features of DLB and PDD with a focus on diagnostic issues,
2. Compare the cognitive profile of DLB, PDD and Alzheimer’s disease,
3. Understand the pathophysiology of DLB and PDD, and
4. Understanding the multi-factorial approach to management of DLB and PPD.

The learning objectives of this workshop are to:

1. Provide an overview of brain functioning in older people with cognitive impairment,
2. Discuss the consequences of cognitive deficits on behaviour and function, and
3. Discuss behavioural approaches to people with cognitive deficits.

Vascular disease contributes greatly to cognitive dysfunction, yet it is often unrecognized by widely used screening tests. This workshop will highlight several brief but sensitive tests that clinicians can use at the bedside to detect mild cognitive dysfunction of vascular etiology. The recent National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke – Canadian Stroke Network Vascular Cognitive Impairment Harmonization Standards will be reviewed. Other methods of assessment of the contribution of vascular burden (Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA], human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] dementia scale) will be presented. Case examples will illustrate the discussion.

Positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) functional neuroimaging relies mostly on the (rather indirect) link between energy metabolism, blood flow and synaptic activity to classify diseases/syndromes responsible for cognitive decline/dementia. This helps define management of patients and provides prognostic information. As early diagnosis is critical, PET and SPECT are now evolving beyond metabolic/perfusion evaluation into amyloid imaging and other fields such as inflammation and cholinergic systems imaging. This workshop will provide an overview of these topics.

This workshop will focus on some principles of knowledge translation (KT), targeting two groups of knowledge users: front-line healthcare professionals, and people with dementia and their care partners. This workshop should be especially useful for people who teach, as well as anyone wanting to know more about the principles, practice and politics of KT.

This workshop will discuss factors that affect driving ability, strategies for assessing fitness to drive and issues related to patient reporting. Through a review of case scenarios, participants will have an opportunity to interactively discuss approaches to common challenges that arise when addressing the topic of fitness to drive.

This workshop will provide a biopsychosocial approach to the assessment and management of challenging behaviours associated with the dementias. Clinical cases, a movie and current guidelines will be discussed.

The workshop will provide review arguments for and against screening for dementia in primary care and will compare various screening tests validated for screening in primary care. Participants will learn which screening tests work best in particular circumstances, and which to avoid, in order to maximize clinical efficiency.

This workshop will focus on the application of the recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of mild cognitive impairment, diagnosis of dementia, and treatment of dementia in the clinical office setting. The format will be interactive and will include clinical case examples and videos.

Many risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease are also vascular risk factors, and autopsy studies show a high prevalence of cerebrovascular lesions in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. This workshop will review prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular disease, vascular risk factors and vascular cognitive impairment, including recent relevant Canadian guidelines.

This seminar will focus on the development of intelligent systems and smart homes to support older adults and aging-in-place. Specifically, it will provide an overview of the design philosophy that is currently being applied, and two projects that are currently being completed, specifically an intelligent activities-of-daily-living prompting system, and a fall detection and response system.